Big schools vs. Smaller schools

[mouood]

I'm transferring in the fall, and have narrowed my choices down to two schools: Northeastern University and Quinnipiac University. After touring both of them, I'm still undecided about whether I'd rather go to a big school or a smaller school. What does everyone prefer and what are some advantages/disadvantages to each?

Also, if you have an opinion on either school, please share.

[alyssa_k]

I don't know about either of those specific schools but I go to a small school (about 3000 students total, about 50 students graduated from my faculty this year). One thing I noticed is that whenever I need help it is very easy to go see my profs or TAs for help. On the other hand, my friend goes to a university of about 60,000 and whenever she needed help she would end up just asking me because she didn't have any profs or TAs that she could ask for help. That's the one major difference that I can think of.

[selftitled85]

there are good things for each.

a small school offers you better relationships with the professors. BUT the social atmosphere is not much better than high school.

i have a lot of friends at neu. they all love it there. great locale...fun scene...good teachers...etc

but i know two people who went to quinn and they both liked it as well.


but i would much prefer a medium sized school.

[sammy678]

I go to a relatively big school. I really like that I continually meet new people, that I can sleep through some classes without the teacher's noticing, and the size and number of buildings and programs at my school. At the same time, sometimes I wish I had smaller, more discussion based classes and that I recognized more people when walking through campus.

Sometimes a big school can seem really small though...especially when trying to avoid someone.;-)

[rcrook]

small school

[cris545]

The above about not being able to reach professors/TAs in big schools isn't the case in mine, it really depends on where you are/what class you're taking.

Also, somehow, still in a big school, you see familiar faces everyday, and it's not unlikely to run into someone you're friends with. I thought it'd be intimidating at first, because I come from a relatively small school, but I'm happy where I am.

I have a friend who goes to Northeastern and so far she's pretty happy with her choice.

[BlackSheepBoy]

With the small school, typically, you'll be held more accountable for attendance and overall performance. As someone already mentioned, it is also much easier to cultivate a working relationship with your professor in a small setting. Socially....high school all over again.

With the big school it can be easier to slip through the cracks (is that an advantage or disadvantage to you?) as some universities get so large they herd kids through their programs like cattle. However the social side of things can be better, especially the "school spirit/pride" aspect. It is all a matter of choice, and what you wish to get out of your schooling.

[littlepaperstar]

I turned down Northeastern and here's why:
If you take their suggested number of co-ops, you're going to school for 5 years, basically almost nonstop, because they have you either working, or taking classes all through the year, even in the summer.
and their campus was really lackluster to me (then again, I'm going to BU, so I speak as someone who didn't want a "traditional" campus, per se.)

But, I have friends going there, and they seem to like it. But I'd check to make sure you can transfer all your credits over, because of their co-op program.

[mouood]

I turned down Northeastern and here's why:
If you take their suggested number of co-ops, you're going to school for 5 years, basically almost nonstop, because they have you either working, or taking classes all through the year, even in the summer.
and their campus was really lackluster to me (then again, I'm going to BU, so I speak as someone who didn't want a "traditional" campus, per se.)

But, I have friends going there, and they seem to like it. But I'd check to make sure you can transfer all your credits over, because of their co-op program.

Yeah, I've figured that if I go to Northeastern, I'm probably only going to do 1 co-op, so I can still graduate on time. As for credits, if I read the evaluation correctly, it seems like they are going to accept all the credits that could possbly transfer (I got a C-, which I knew wasn't going to transfer.)

Thanks for all of your help guys.

[Smash Adams]

I go to a small school, I found bigger ones way too big

that being said I didn't love quinnipiac and northeastern is in a much nicer area

[mouood]

I go to a small school, I found bigger ones way too big

that being said I didn't love quinnipiac and northeastern is in a much nicer area

What didn't you like about Qunnipiac?

[Smash Adams]

What didn't you like about Qunnipiac?

I don't remember exactly- I know part of it was the fact that it was a closed campus

[mouood]

I don't remember exactly- I know part of it was the fact that it was a closed campus

Ah

[kellyxk]

In my opinion, smaller schools are better because you get to know everyone better and the whole community just seems...closer...You get to know your teachers better, if that is a good thing for you. But yes, smaller schools tend to be harder, which is always a downside.

[LV03]

big schools. My friend goes to a small school and its just like high school all over again. She knows everyone in all her classes, and sees the same people around campus. I think having a variety is better.

[preppyak]

I am going to a school of 2000 kids. The biggest class I have ever had was 40 people (science class) and last semester I had classes of 6, 9, and 12 kids...and one that was like 18-20. Education wise, the smaller school is where you'll get more attention.

As for the social life...if you can make friends fairly easily, you'll have no problem at a small school and you'll make do. Yes, you get to know a lot of people...and occasionally it feels like HS...but I'd rather know people that I see around (and laugh if I know they did something dumb the night before) than feel like I am in a foreign country every day because I know no one around me. And for me...I still don't know 2/3 of the school...so its not really like high school again...and you can still ignore the groups of people you don't like.

[failingwithease]

I go to the biggest school in the country and it doesn't seem that big. You get used to it - it really becomes a nice, familiar community for you and there's usually a lot more variety. I'd say you take a look at what you're majoring in and how they fare in each school if you really can't decide on the size. I see the same people all the time due to my major. We all have to take the same classes and I'm usually around the same area. There's also more opportunity to meet lots of new people as well.

I'd go with your gut instinct, though. Did you get a different feeling from both?

[SubrosaSeductiv]

I'd go with your gut instinct, though. Did you get a different feeling from both?

Agreed.

I am in the application process and its driving me insane.

The easiest solution I have found is touring the campus. Go there a few seperate times and see how you like it. Ask if you are allowed audit a class.

[EnderDove]

I go to a community college now, so obviously small and I enjoy having smaller classes, especially for design classes. That will continue if I end up going to design school which will also be small classes.

[cris545]

I go to a community college now, so obviously small and I enjoy having smaller classes, especially for design classes. That will continue if I end up going to design school which will also be small classes.
what kind of design are you in?

[ilovejamesblunt]

I go to a big school and it's fantastic. My friends that went to smaller schools did so to make it an easier transition from high school, which officially makes them total pussies.

[SubrosaSeductiv]

you love james blunt. end of discussion.

[ilovejamesblunt]

According to my profile, I also live in a town called "Slandersville."

[SubrosaSeductiv]

I was only kidding anyways. I don't mind jamesblunt. And I wouldn't be suprised if you lived in a place called slandersville. There are towns with far worse names.

[EnderDove]

what kind of design are you in?

Well, graphic design major and I still have no clue what I am looking to do with it, however I am leaning towards working on layouts for magazines and newsletters, while still doing my own small projects to sell.

[AnF1500]

Hahahahahahaha oh god Quinnipiac, go there.

[ilovejamesblunt]

I was only kidding anyways. I don't mind jamesblunt. And I wouldn't be suprised if you lived in a place called slandersville. There are towns with far worse names.

This kind of apathy towards James Blunt is unacceptable. Either admit your profound and eternal adoration, or make it your life's mission to destroy the bastard. Limb from limb.

[SubrosaSeductiv]

Damn. Well I'm not all about him. SO I guess I'd have to go with the latter.

Poor james. All he wants to do is make mushy love songs and make videos portraying suicide.

[ilovejamesblunt]

You're beautiful.
You're beautiful.
You're beautiful.
It's true.

How can you resist these lyrics?

[SubrosaSeductiv]

Its hard it just takes alot of self restraint.

[cris545]

Well, graphic design major and I still have no clue what I am looking to do with it, however I am leaning towards working on layouts for magazines and newsletters, while still doing my own small projects to sell.
Sounds great, I would be minoring in graphic design if I had the chance.

[Albino_Virgin]

I've been to both a small school (Cal State University Monterey Bay with just under 3,000 students) and now go to the University of Kansas (26,000ish) so I know the extremes. I loved CSUMB for a year, but then I just got bored as it's such a small campus with the same people, same programs/ clubs/events/etc. Also, as others said, it was just too much like high school. The small classes were nice but again, they felt very high schoolish. I just really wanted a change so I moved from a California coastal town to Kansas. The big class sizes were intimidating, but really aren't as scary as some make it out to be. Usually the huge ones are only for general ed type classes (intro to political science/ psych, etc.) and I like the fact that it's my responsibilty to do my work and show up, or decide to stay home. Also, most specialized or upper division classes are smaller (my math, english and all design classes never had more than 25 students). I remember being uneasy about the TA thing, and though there honestly were a few times I resented it, for the most part I found them more helpful and relatable than a 60 year old balding prof. I like the variety of academic programs.

Still, it really depends on your personal feelings. I loved the smaller atmosphere and all my friends there still do. My high school was just a small stoner surfer school in a California coast town and so was CSUMB and I think I just got sick of it. I also think people stress waaaay to much about picking the perfect school. Worst case scenario is you pick one, don't like it, and transfer. It's a lot less painful than you may think, and most people I know from high school transfered at least once. In the end you'll end up in the right spot.

[AP_Punk]

Hahahaha, "Albino Virgin". I love the sound of that name.

[punkpr!ncess]

i go to a small school...
and to be quite honest if I got the chanceb to go to a big schoolI would jump at the chance...
there are many reasons for this but the main one being is that at larger schools there are more teachers:more teachers mean more students...which means that the teachers wont remember you as much!

...or so i've been told..

[Broken Parachute]

My school has more than 1200 kids, and it's adequate size for me. I like it.

[katcherbball]

The college I go to is 1400 people which is 1000 smaller than my high school was. I like it, I think it has its advantages with accessibility to faculty and stuff.

[ESundy36]

Quinnipiac is literally in my backyard. I know quite a few people who go there and they love it. I didn't apply because to be honest I didn't want to go to any CT schools, I wanted to get away from everyone I knew and meet new people.

As for the small school big school thing. I go to a small school and I love it. First of all you get to know a lot more people because you see the same people more often. Academically I think it's better. The classes are smaller which allows for better discussion and allows for you not to "get lost" amongst the numbers. Professors actually know you which can make the classes easier/more fun as well as help you out because you get to know them which makes talking to them about your class or the work a lot easier. Obviously I am highly biased. I have went to two small, New England Catholic schools so I prefer the small school enviornment. Obviously it's what suits you and yout personality best.