You can travel the country from coast to coast, touring every state school imaginable from San Diego State University to New York University, but you still would only be seeing a small representation of the colleges and universities The United States has to offer. While any type of school is a great choice, so long as it is the right choice for you,there definitely is a lack of appreciation for small schools. While you will never hear about these school’s sports teams on college football channels or see them on the big ten list, they definitely still have their upsides. They are quite simply in a league of their own.

1. No walk is ever that far.

With a total campus size just under 200 acres, no walk to class is ever over 10 minutes. But that does not mean you do not have an excuse to be dramatic about it. Us small school students still complain every time we have to leave our beds. We are human too.

2. Familiar faces everywhere.

Depending on how you look at things, this could be a good or a bad thing. If you long for the comfort of recognizing people wherever you go, a small school is for you.

3. You really get to know your professors.

In fact, you will probably run into them in the dining hall or even be caught walking behind them on your way to class several times a week. They will recognize your face just as much as you recognize theirs. This is definitely beneficial when it comes to needing a letter of recommendation for a job or internship.

4. You will memorize your campus like the back of your hand.

That one step on the staircase to the academic buildings that is larger than the other ones. The one cafeteria employee who memorizes your order. The exact minutes and seconds it takes you to get from one side of campus to the other.

5. The difference between high school and college is not that drastic.

Class sizes are about the same and the only major difference is that you are not living at home. Unless of course you hated high school. In that case forget I said anything.

As we are among college application season for many high school seniors, I hope that the process treats you well. But please, do not overlook the small schools!