Benefits of Attending a Small College
When applying to colleges, there are many factors to consider when determining your best fit. Do you want to stay close to home, or are you interested in learning in another state? Do you need a school that offers research programs? Additionally, you must decide what kind of culture you’re interested in. Indeed, some schools are known for their nightlife, sports, and big events. Others have students who enjoy quiet nights, coffee, and movie nights. Notably, a small college will have a much different culture than a large one.
What exactly makes a college “small” depends on who you’re asking. The Carnegie Classification of colleges considers a university small if it has less than 5,000 students. Other websites and individuals say that number is 3,000. Regardless, you can find accredited schools with as few as 100 students.
5 Reasons to Go to a Small College
There are many pros and cons to attending a small college. You need to decide what is most important to you, from culture to resources to staff. For example, small colleges are less likely to have a large-scale party scene. However, this environment is ideal for certain students. If you’re a non-traditional student or simply aren’t interested in typical college nightlife, you may consider avoiding a large university.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a prestigious research or laboratory program, you may not find what you need at a small school. Research programs cost a great deal of money to run. Many small colleges are newer and thus don’t have the resources to add those programs. But that doesn’t mean that there is nothing out there. Indeed, a private university may have both large-scale programs and a small student population. Similarly, you may find large colleges have very little in the way of research labs. It mainly comes down to the school’s purpose and funding.
You can find large and small universities for every field and major out there. Furthermore, you may find that some specialized majors are only available at certain schools. Below we will go over five advantages of attending a small college.
Smaller Class Size
A small college means smaller classes. Fewer students in each classroom means a small professor-to-student ratio, which has many benefits. You’ve likely heard statistics in public schools citing that there are too many children in each classroom. Notably, this fact translates to higher education as well, with similar issues.
While college students don’t need as much supervision, this ratio can grow from one teacher to thirty children to one professor to two hundred or more adult learners. As a result, students receive less feedback, have fewer opportunities to ask questions or engage, and often struggle to meet with their instructor. Additionally, it may be weeks before they receive any grades on tests or papers. When learning difficult topics, getting experts’ feedback is vital.
Of course, a lot of this communication depends on the instructor. But, at a small college, it’s much easier to get ahold of and speak to your professors.
As an added bonus, small classes allow for greater flexibility with the curriculum. If many students struggle with a specific topic, the instructor can provide tailored lectures and focus on what the classroom needs. Imagine trying to tailor a class to two hundred students.
Easier to Contact Staff & Faculty
As we mentioned, a small college means easier access to instructors outside class. Your professors have limited time and may teach multiple courses. Thus, their meeting hours fill up quickly. When they have fewer students, they’ll be able to spend more time with individuals. As a result, you can get help with schoolwork, bounce ideas off of them for projects, or even seek advice.
Additionally, you can expect shorter wait times for responses to emails and assignments. You may also receive more detailed feedback from professors who teach smaller courses. Similarly, you can also get in contact with staff faster.
Often, student services, financial aid, and other departments are overwhelmed in large schools. A small team of people will serve thousands or even tens of thousands of students every semester. Thus, getting ahold of someone can be difficult. You may have to wait several days or call back multiple times to get help.
At a small college, staff will be able to help you faster and may even become familiar with your accounts and questions. You won’t need to explain your situation every time you call back.
Greater Flexibility
Small colleges may also offer unexpected flexibility. For example, some schools can offer rolling enrollment for their vocational and degree programs. This policy allows students to start classes well before or after a typical semester ends. As a result, you don’t have to wait until August or January to start. Instead, you can enroll right when you’re ready. This enrollment type is most often found in online colleges.
Additionally, small schools can offer unique programs or courses. Large universities must provide classes that many students will enroll in. Since they have such large student populations, they must ensure that every class and classroom is strategically filled. Otherwise, students won’t be able to fulfill prerequisites and degree requirements.
When fewer students compete for prerequisites and introductory courses, it’s easier for everyone to enroll in classes they need to succeed. There’s no more taking empty credits just to reach full-time status.
Furthermore, small colleges can offer classes and majors that interest faculty and students. You may find courses focused on specific parts of history, unique literary or art studies, or other uncommon topics. For example, a community college in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a course in auctioneering. These types of classes can provide a source of fun in an otherwise stressful semester. Also, students may find their passions or dream career in such unique courses.
Less Competition
Beyond fighting for a seat, large universities also see students competing for financial aid, independent study slots, and research opportunities. With thousands of students wanting to get the coveted research studies and scholarships, finding a way in can be difficult. A small college will have more openings.
Today, financial aid is vital for millions of college students to afford tuition. However, scholarship and grant opportunities are extremely limited. Some schools offer their own financial assistance to students, funded by generous donors or to help specific groups. Unfortunately, only a handful of students can receive that money. At a large university, thousands may apply for a single scholarship. On the other hand, the applicant pool of a small college may only be a few dozen or hundred.
You Don’t Feel Lost in the Crowd
Finally, your accomplishments will stand out more when attending a small college. You may even be celebrated in the newsletter or on social media. Small colleges love to hear what their students are doing and are proud to revel in your accomplishments with you. While large colleges also try to stay in touch with all their current students and graduates, it can be expectedly difficult.
Additionally, projects you create will get additional feedback and recognition. When professors deal with hundreds of assignments and students, they aren’t always able to give as much input as they wish. Thus, amazing essays or research get lost in the stack.
Furthermore, just having an instructor know you and remember your name can improve your college experience. Feeling like just another face in the crowd can feel isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone. Small colleges make it easier to become a part of the community and get to know your instructors and peers.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best college can be difficult. There’s a lot to consider. If a small college sounds appealing, you should look into schools with under 5,000 students. It’s easy to find this data online with an online search. Just ensure that the university you apply to has your desired degree and is accredited.
Lakewood University is a fully online accredited college with various vocational and degree offerings. If you’re interested in pursuing higher education from the comfort of your own home, take a look at our programs today.
