As college decision day is quickly approaching, many high school seniors are making their final decision on their college. This may end up being the place where they spend their next 4+ years, live on their own for the first time, meet their future spouse, fall in love for the first time, meet their forever friends, and truly discover who they are. With this in mind, I chose my tiny college to be my home for four years.

I want to be a name, not a number.

Instead of sitting in a lecture hall of 500, I have a lecture of 45 and regular classes of about 15. All of my professors know me by my first and last name, they remember where I am from, and they really do care about me. It benefits you in the long run when you need a letter of recommendation from a college professor.

I want to feel at home.

My college truly is a family. We all get along and make each other feel comfortable on and off campus. When walking past someone, even if you don't know them, they will say hi or at least smile. This safe, happy school makes me feel at home every single day and I love it for that.

I want hands on learning.

How can you expect to get hands on learning when there are so many students in the room that you cannot even read the board? Instead, we are able to get up in class and observe different scientific models to learn best.

I don't want to take 15 minutes to get from class to class.

I have about 10-15 minutes between my classes to get to the next class. On my small campus, it only takes 7 minutes (walking like a New Yorker) to get from one end to another. Therefore, I never really need to worry about being late to a class even if I sleep past my alarm.

I want a community.

Since we are a small school, we generally know each other or at least recognize each other. We plan events and our classmates go to them to support each other. There isn't the thought of, "I have no idea who this is, I'm not going." We all care about each other and support what we all do.

As high school seniors decide in the next few days on their future college, or as younger students being to think about where they may apply, keep in mind that size does matter when choosing your college. It will really benefit you in the long (and short) run to pick a school that you love for everything it consists of!

And thank you, Castleton University.

Thank you, Castleton University for being the tiny school that stole my heart. Thank you for being the place where I met the people who I consider my best friends. And thank you for being my home away from home for the next four years.

Interested in Castleton University? Check out our website at www.castleton.edu or our video at www.castleton.edu/video

You may fall in love, don't say I didn't warn you!