We've all heard people say so many times that going to a big school is a mistake. "It's just too big", they say. "You won't have a relationship with your professors", some argue. "It's overwhelming going to school with thousands of people." While, in some cases, such claims are correct, I'm here to set the record straight and convince you that going to a big school is not only okay, but is in fact a great choice. Here's why I feel that way.
1. You get more flexibility in your class schedule (usually).
Obviously, this one holds true, pending your degree program or major. But, in most cases, large schools, due to the sheer volume of students on campus, have less "gen-ed" requirements. Your course schedule is usually more open from the start, and it's up to you to decide what you want to study. Many smaller, usually private schools, have a required "core" of classes. While some would argue that the core allows for a well-rounded, broad, and values-based education, it can be very frustrating when you don't enter classes that pertain to your major until your junior year.
2. There is usually a wider variety of majors offered.
The bigger your school is, the greater the chance that they'll offer courses in that obscure language that you've always wanted to learn. Usually, larger schools are forced to have a wider offering of courses, subject areas, and degrees in order to accommodate such a large student body. If a school with over 30,000 students only offered five majors, the monotony of the course schedule and homogeneity of the student body would be sickening.
3. There is a niche for you.
Many reasons that, at a big school, it's easy to get lost. It's easy to feel like a number and get lost in the sea of red tape and bureaucracy. However, the larger the student body is, the greater your chances are of finding people just like you: with the same hobbies, interests, and passions. Mathematical fact. Granted, at a larger school, it may take longer to find that niche, but once you do find it, you're set.
4. The student body is usually more diverse.
Smaller schools are much more likely to specialize in a particular degree program, and draw a large percentage of students for that specific program. There is nothing wrong with this. But, students that have the same major are more likely to be similar in terms of personality, etc. than say, a journalism major and an engineer. In general, large school do not specialize in particular programs as much. Sure, all schools have their strengths and weaknesses in terms of degree programs. But, large schools are more likely to draw a diverse array of students in a myriad of different fields of study. As a result of their different academic interests, the student body is more likely to be diverse in other ways, too; racially, economically, socially. The list goes on.
5. You never run out of people to meet.
While it's true that it's definitely harder to get to know people on a deeper level at a large school, there are benefits to this. At a large school, you are never going to run out of people to meet. There will always be someone who you've never even seen before. There are plenty of new faces around, even by the time senior year rolls around. While this sounds intimidating at first, I think we can all agree that going to a small school has drawbacks in this regard. At a small school, you are more likely to know the "dirt" on your classmates. Drama and cliquishness are more likely to occur. And, god forbid, you know everyone on campus, (if you go to a VERY small school). We all like to see familiar faces, but when I trudge across campus in 20 degree weather, I don't want to stop and say hello to everyone.
Above all, remember the cheesy (but oh so true) line large schools tell you on their tours: you can make a large school feel small, but you can't make a small school feel large.
