Transferring colleges was easily the best thing I have done in my entire life. I went from Indiana University, a Big 10 school known for business and a killer basketball team, to Carthage College, a small liberal arts school known for being the halfway point between Milwaukee and Chicago (and our beautiful lakefront view). Whenever I tell people I transferred, I tend to get the same question, "What's it like going from somewhere so big to somewhere so small? Are they that different?" Well the answer is, it's a huge difference, yet they aren't that different. Here are the REAL similarities and difference between a small school and a big school from someone who has experienced both.
I think the biggest change is that at Carthage I feel like less of a number, and more of an individual. I'm no longer in 300 person lectures, trying to contact professors who don't care or getting lost in big crowds. My biggest lecture is 80 people, and our professor knows all of our names. It makes me feel like I'm cared about, and that my education and success matters. I'm not saying no one will care about you at a Big 10, but a private school is definitely more of a personal experience.
Contrary to popular belief, social life and parties do happen at small schools. Word is constantly buzzing about what frat is throwing what party, and pre-games do still happen. I honestly think that's just apart of the college culture. No matter how small of a school you try and go to, you will still hear Black Beatles blasting from houses, and lights flashing through windows. Also, since you are at a smaller place, it's hard to not meet or see everyone at least once. You make friends with the girl in your history class because you see her 5 more times in the same day, and it turns our she's in your psych lecture. Making friends just seems to be genuinely easier at a private school. At a Big 10 school you'll probably never see the cute guy that skated past you again, but at a private school you will definitely see him skate past you every MWF.
The only thing a Big 10 really has over a private school is sports. Luckily yours truly isn't a sports fan, but I did have some pretty good nights at IU football games, and the people I still follow on Snapchat definitely find time to see every home basketball game. Yes, private schools do have sports, but they're certainly not as hype. I'm not degrading the talent or skills of the Carthage sports people, but you certainly won't catch as many people at a Saturday football game here.
Regardless of where you go to school, as long as you get involved you'll probably find your home. And if you don't, transferring is always an option. Make sure to go on plenty of visits, overnight stays, and really get the feel as to if you like the buzz of a Big 10, or the peace of a private school. You'll always wind up where you're meant to be, just keep your mind open!
