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Congratulations! You’ve finished high school and you’re ready to plan out the next few years of your life. Part of selecting a college that is right for you involves deciding whether you will attend a small college, large university, or somewhere in between. Here is a list of reasons for choosing a large university over a small college.
University Name Recognition
Large universities tend to have more notoriety than their small college counterparts. For instance, people on the east coast are much more likely to have heard of Stanford University or The University of California, Berkeley than Claremont McKenna College. While both schools are highly competitive and prestigious, Standard will always get more name recognition. Larger schools have more alumni around the globe and their faculty members typically publish more articles and books than their small school contemporaries.
Variety of University Degree Programs
Because of the increased student population, large universities can provide a variety of courses and majors that small colleges cannot. Schools like UC Berkeley or San Diego State University provide many robust undergraduate programs in areas like business and engineering. Students can choose more specialized majors that fit their personal interests and needs.
Class Size and Experience at Universities
At large universities like The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), students sometimes must take introductory courses in a giant lecture class format. In these huge classes, students have less opportunity to ask questions and interact in the class. This may work well if you don't need or want a lot of interaction, but it can make you feel like you're not getting full access to the faculty, as these large lecture-hall style classes are also often taught by graduate students
Faculty Access at Universities
At large research universities like The University of California, Berkeley, students have the opportunity to interact with distinguished faculty. However, professors may value their research more than their teaching. Also, Professors may need to spend much of their time assisting graduate students and have less time for undergraduate students. Often times, a course may actually be taught by a graduate student or teacher assistant.
Athletics at Universities
Sports programs at large universities are well funded and teams are often much more competitive. Since teams are much more competitive, one really has to be a star to get on a university team. On the other hand, students may enjoy sports rallies and packed stadium events.
Advising and Guidance at Universities
At a large university, advising is often handled through a central office which means that there will be more rules and procedures related to enrolling in and designing a personal course of study.
Anonymity at Universities
In a large university classroom, students in giant lecture classes often end up being silent observers of lectures. Professors have so many students they may not know names or faces of individual students. There is often not time for class discussions or hands-on activities. Students are encouraged to take initiative and be self directed at big colleges.
University Libraries
Libraries at large universities are often well-stocked with books covering numerous topics and ideas. Larger libraries also provide a great opportunity for students to meet up and form study groups or tutoring help from other students.
Housing at Universities
Large universities offer a variety of housing options and opportunities. These may include dormitories, off-campus apartments, and houses for rent within the community. These options provide housing choices for a wide range of student needs from cheap, student dorms to luxurious off-campus suites.
Social Opportunities at Universities
Along with huge sports rallies and games, large universities offer endless opportunities for social involvement. Most large universities have very active fraternities and sororities on campus that recruit new members each quarter or semester. Universities like Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo have “rush” weeks where they invite students to come and see if their interests and personalities match. Larger colleges also have a multitude of clubs and organizations that help students meet to people and interact outside of classes.
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