Big University or Small College?

Would you be better off at a small liberal arts college? Or is the big university experience for you? Here are some thoughts.

Choosing a college can feel pretty overwhelming because there are so many choices out there. What's better for you--- a small college or a big one?

Liberal arts college usually have one big disadvantage-- cost! On the other hand, small class sizes really do make a difference in the quality of your education. At a small school, you won't have to worry about surviving those lecture hall classes that are so common at many big universities. You'll be part of a community where you will get to know your professors. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of liberal art colleges to keep in mind.

On the other hand, there are advantages to the large school experience to keep in mind as well-- and not just the cost savings. I went to a large state university-- Rutgers-- and I loved it. Yes, I would have benefitted from a good advisor and more attention from faculty. On the other hand, I was exposed to so many different kinds of people and new ideas. The campus bulletin boards were always overflowing with flyers for every political and ethnic organization on campus. It felt lonely at first to be in such a big place, but at a big school, you can friends that you can really relate to-- and I did. Plus learning to fend for myself was not a bad thing. I taught at a liberal arts college for awhile, and while I was impressed by the quality of the education my students received, I also was concerned with how much hand holding they got.

If you're looking at schools, take the time to weigh all the factors and figure out what's most important to you. Best of luck!