Evaluating School Size
Time to select a college? Not so fast. With more than 1,600 four-year colleges and universities to choose from, you will need to think this one through. As we mention in our article “Selecting the ‘Right’ School,” size is an important consideration. As a frame of reference, a small- or medium-sized college is one with fewer than 5,000 students and a large or very large university is one with more than 5,000. If you select small or medium, you will be able to choose from a list of over 1,200 schools; if you choose large or very large, then your list will include almost 400 schools. Midsize schools to some extent combine qualities of both small and large schools and offer a sort of compromise.
Small
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Smaller classes (<20 students), allowing for greater class participation and the ability to develop close friendships
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Greater professor involvement in teaching
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Lower student to faculty ratio (<15:1), allowing for more direct access to your professors for coaching and advice
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Greater accessibility of popular classes and majors
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Greater accessibility of housing and resources
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More variety of courses and subject areas
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More professors to choose from within departments
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Greater diversity among faculty and students
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More opportunities to observe, and even participate in, advanced research
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Larger libraries and more extensive research facilities
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Graduate programs (at universities), which provide a means of familiarizing yourself with later options for continued study
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Courses taught by graduate students, who have less experience but often more enthusiasm for their subject than more advanced professors