When I was applying to college, the idea of going to a large public university seemed terrifying. Like most high schoolers, I was used to knowing everyone in my grade and being able to walk the perimeter of my school in less than five minutes. It wasn't until I took a leap of faith and decided to go to a large public research university that I discovered the unforeseen perks of going to such a massive institution.
With 36,000 undergraduates, 5 campuses, two cities, and over 100 majors to choose from, Rutgers is the epitome of a large university... but that is one of the reasons why my college experience has been so diverse.
Attending a college as big as mine, there are an endless amount of ways to get involved on campus, which means that I have had the incredible opportunity to try out different activities that I wouldn't have originally had the chance to take part in. From service organizations to cultural events to clubs that raise seeing-eye dogs, the only challenge I currently face is trying to find time to participate in all of the organizations that I find interesting.
One of my biggest concerns with attending a large university was the size of the student population and in many ways, I still cannot fathom how many people are actually at Rutgers, but it has allowed me to meet people from backgrounds that are different from mine and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. While I don't ever think I will be able to meet everyone, going to a large school means that there is every type of person imaginable here, with insights and knowledge that I can only learn from.
Although the buses are an absolute pain, it's pretty amazing to go to a school that is both rural, modern, urban and historical all at the same time. While it would have been interesting to attend a smaller school and not have to worry about navigating through such a complex campus, I'm glad that I chose a place that I could probably never get bored of.