I go to a small university that is less than an hour away from home. I can still hear the sound of people's reaction after hearing my plans for college. "Oh, I'm sure it's a great school." or "If you don't like it, you can always transfer." People saw it as if it's the easy way out or a last resort. As my classmates prepared for big SEC schools, it looked to other people as though I hadn't made the cut. However, the campus I was going to attend was my first choice. I was in love with the traditions and beauty of my future school. I felt at home on the campus. I felt a sense of belonging to a place that was somewhat foreign.
It is easy to be involved in multiple organizations at smaller universities. Greek life, student government and the honors program are organizations that many students are involved in. The pool of competition is smaller when trying out for organizations, making it possible to be involved in a different variety of organizations, which is highly beneficial to those seeking to be involved.
Another reason I love my small university is because it has more of a community feel. The student body being smaller allows the students to be closer. I know at my university, involved students often know each other. I know people involved in every Greek organization, student government, the art club, and the student yearbook. The community is much tighter knit than that of a larger college.
Another reason I love my small university is the opportunities that are accessible to students. A smaller college equals smaller classes. It's easier to maintain a better relationship with your professors. When a professor can remember your name, they are more likely to help you out in terms of being more lenient when grading. When a teacher has a class of 20 instead of 80, they can put faces with names. I also love how all of my professors go out of their way to be available and helpful to students. They are constantly willing to answer questions or help out in any way they can.
Along with helping with grades, having a smaller student body helps with job opportunities. Making connections in college is essential to to finding a career. When there is a smaller pool of students, those connections are readily made. If you want to make them, they are accessible and available.
I could list forever the amount of advantages of attending smaller universities, and personally, I know if I didn't attend my smaller university, my college experience would be completely different.
