When I began my search for the perfect college, I looked for several different features in my options. One of the biggest reasons I chose Ramapo College was because of its size. I didn't want a big school; I wanted to be able to recognize familiar faces in the dining hall and the residence halls. I wanted to know my professors and realize that they knew my name. I wanted a personal education, and my small school provided that for me. Here are the greatest things about going to a small college.
1. You constantly see familiar faces all over campus.
When you attend a small school, you come to learn routines of who you'll see when you're going to which classes on which days. It becomes familiar and comforting, and it's a great way to make friends!
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2. You're actually a name, not a number.
Many colleges repeat this over and over at their open houses and admitted students' days, but I can personally attest to this. It is refreshing for administrators and professors to call you by your first name and remember it again the next time you talk.
3. Your professors can tell when you're not in class.
For me, I think this is a good thing because if I attended a large lecture with several hundred students, I wouldn't always be there at 8 am. So being held accountable time and time again keeps me on track and I appreciate this.
4. You have small class sizes.
This is huge for me because I like learning in smaller settings. I work best when there aren't too many people around to distract me and the professor doesn't have to shout for everyone in the back row to hear.
5. Your professors are the only ones teaching the class.
At small colleges, there are no TAs or graduate students teaching the class. When you sign up for a professor's class, you know exactly who will be teaching that semester.
6. You have so many opportunities to get involved and network.
Although not the most obvious perk of a small school, networking is extremely hopping on small campuses. When there is a smaller population to compete with, you are more likely to meet people who can take you places and make an impact!
7. You get the feeling that you matter.
I can't attest to how students feel at large schools, but I know for sure that at my small school, I know that I matter. My experience is very personal at my school and if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
