What are the advantages or disadvantages of a large college vs. a small one?
I address this question in my book Panicked Parents’ Guide to College Admissions (Petersons 2002). Below, you’ll find an excerpt. Personally, I like the idea of a small but not tiny school–under 3,000 or so but not below about 1,200–for the undergrad years. You’ll have a better chance of making your mark on campus when you’re not one of a huge multitude. However, some students really thrive in a huge university community. As my co-author Sid Dalby likes to say, “It’s easier to make a big college small than a small college big.” A large university can be exciting—or impersonal. A small school can be supportive—or stifling. Among the most common reasons for transferring, size is near the top of the list, with “too big†and “too small†getting pretty even play. Small colleges commonly translate into smaller classes and more faculty contact. They can, however, be too homogeneous or lacking in specific curricular offerings. Large schools may offer opportunities such as editing a d
