May 1st is the deadline for when high school students need to make up their mind and provide an enrollment deposit to the college of their choice. It's crazy to think that just a year ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table trying to decide where to secure my spot. I had 11 acceptances in front of me. Schools that I visited and fell in love with for their own specific reasons.
The town I grew up in was known for sending seniors to large, well-known schools. My friends were already committed to UCONN, Syracuse, the United States Military Academy, Cornell and many other tops. I knew I too could go to a large school like everyone else or I could find the right choice for me. For most of my senior year I struggled to try and have my schools "fit in" with everyone else. But they just weren't. I was applying to small, liberal arts schools like Roanoke College, Gettysburg College and Hartwick College. These schools had the student population of one of UCONN's dorms. Most people did not even know where Hartwick or Oneonta was. Many young adults struggle to go to schools just to impress others. Yes, going to a state school that is known for its parties and basketball would be great but I'd rather go to a school where I could get the most out of my tuition.
My small liberal arts college allows me to actually have a place in my classes. I personally know all my professors on campus. I feel like a name not a number. Unlike large research universities where you could regularly find yourself in lecture halls with many hundreds of other students, my largest class usually ranges up to 18 with my lecture hall being capped at 40. This allows me to actually participate in my education by asking questions, participating in discussions and collaborating with my professors. I'm not saying this is for everyone. Some people enjoy being in lecture halls of 500, taught by a TA with no attendance policies or homework. I understand that and I'm glad that's working for you.
At larger schools, graduate students usually take up all the professors time with research. I made sure I went to only an undergrad school. Professors need us to help them with their papers and presentations. They have been able to hook us up with letters of recommendation, internships and international fellowships: opening doors I would never know existed.
Besides the obvious academic benefits, I also enjoy being on a small campus. I can roll over and get to my class in five minutes. Greek life dues aren't $2,000. Walking around I always see a familiar faces. I'm involved in multiple clubs, and hold executive positions as an underclassmen. I'm as comfortable in my school as I'm in my small, hometown.
While people may have no idea where my school is and we don't have crazy big clothing lines, it is all worth it. All I wish is that I could go back and ensure my senior high self that its okay not to go to that state school with everyone else for I am doing three times better where I am now.
