With college application season in full-swing, you might find yourself daydreaming of what your life will look like in a year — what you’ll major in, the clubs you’ll join, and most importantly, where you’ll be attending school for the next four years. You could be considering your life at a big university, which usually has over 15,000 students, or a small college, which usually has fewer than 5,000 students.
When I was applying to college, I looked at a range of schools, and ended up choosing a small college that has under 2,000 students. Though I often pictured myself at college, my idyllic imagination made it difficult to objectively weigh the negatives and positives of each school.
Whatever your daydream entails, make sure you consider these pros and cons of a small college, so you have a clear picture of your potential college experience. When the time comes, you’ll be prepared to make your college decision.
Pros of a Small College
Low student-to-faculty Ratio
Most small colleges boast low student-to-faculty ratios, often ranging from 6:1 to 15:1. With these low ratios, professors are able to spend more time one-on-one with students, hold engaging class-wide discussions, and delegate less grading and teaching to TAs. Being a student at a small college, I’ve been able to develop relationships with my professors and feel like more than just a number, which is often not the case for my friends that attend big universities.
Tight-Knit Community
Since small colleges usually have only a few thousand students, it feels like you’ll always have someone you know nearby. Whether you’re walking to class, getting a meal in the dining hall, or sipping on coffee in a student-run coffee shop, you’re bound to see someone you know. For me, this has made college feel more like home because I know I’ll always have someone to lean on, both physically and emotionally.
Anywhere Is Just A Short Walk Away
Small colleges typically have smaller campuses, which means that your classes, the dining hall, and your best friend’s dorm are all conveniently within walking distance. During my sophomore year, I was able to roll out of bed and be at the dining hall in less than a minute, the student-run coffee shop in about a minute and a half, and my class in four minutes.
Cons of a Small College
Gossip Travels Fast
The social scene at a small college can get messy because everyone does really know everyone. Word gets around fast, and since everyone is connected in some way, it can be hard to deal with the aftermath of an embarrassing situation or know who you can trust with a secret.
A small college also means a small dating pool, and chances are, you’ll run into your awkward hookup in the dining hall. Online dating seems pointless sometimes because you’re swiping through all of your classmates. You might end up falling for your friend’s ex or your ex’s friend (um, yikes). Be prepared for the inevitable love triangles if you choose to attend a small college.
Limited Courses and Major Options
As smaller colleges have fewer students and faculty members, they usually don’t offer as many major and minor choices, and may have fewer classes to choose from within your course of study. Many small colleges are also liberal arts colleges, which commonly do not offer any pre-professional majors. If you want to study engineering, business, nursing, or any other pre-professional major and attend a small college, make sure to do your research beforehand!
Less Dining Halls
Small colleges usually have around two dining halls, while big universities have several on-campus dining options to choose from. Meal options can be limited at a small college, especially if you have dietary restrictions, and you might find yourself getting food delivered more often than your wallet would like.