In high school, when anyone thinks about the dream “college experience”, it usually entails going to a large university with a strong sense of school spirit and football games. It involves tailgating and Game Day. Many girls look forward to joining a huge sorority and making life-long friends with their sisters. All of these thing sound like great experiences- but this large college experience wasn’t for me.

I get overwhelmed easily and I knew being in a large setting with lectures filled with 400+ students wasn’t for me. I still wanted an amazing college experience- but on a smaller scale. I toured 18 colleges before making my college decision two years ago. I looked at larger schools and smaller schools. To this day, I do not regret choosing my mid-sized Saint Joseph’s University and here’s why:

Walking to class takes no longer than 10 minutes

At Saint Joseph’s University, you can get across campus in 10 minutes. There’s no need to worry about catching a bus in order to get to your next lecture. Instead, you can wake up 20 minutes before your 8 am, get ready, and be out the door and still make it with enough time. This is a huge bonus when you wake up to rain, snow, or frigid temperatures.

You recognize people around campus

Faces will soon become familiar on your usual walk to class. As time goes on, you’ll start to see these people in more places. You’ll see them in the library, in the dining hall, or even in your next class. It’s a comforting feeling being surrounded by familiar faces instead of constant strangers.

Our School Spirit is just as strong

The saying Quality Over Quantity really is true here. At Saint Joe’s, everyone has so much love and pride for the Hawk. We might not have football, but the students bring all of their passion and school spirit to the basketball games. I personally believe our school pride is special because it’s just as strong outside of sports as it is in the sports setting. Take a walk around campus and anyone would be honored to tell you why they love being a Hawk. There is so much love by every single person on our mid-sized campus. You are engulfed in Hawk pride…. THWND.

Every individual has the ability to get involved

On a campus with 5,000 undergraduates, every individual has an important role in keeping clubs and organizations running. You will begin to notice the students that are heavily involved on campus. It is possible to be in a sorority, be a tour guide, an orientation leader, and the founder of a club! Whatever it is that you want to be involved with- you have the opportunity to do so.

Connections

Nothing is better than having story time with your friends, or a friend sharing gossip, or someone asking if you know who ______ is and you actually know who they’re talking about. It’s a small world on a mid-sized campus and you’d be amazed with the connections that exists. Everyone knows someone. Bonding with your friends is so much fun when you always know who the other is talking about. However, it’s important to note that campus is also big enough that you don’t know every single person. There is always the opportunity to meet new people!

Having one dining hall makes it a great hangout spot

You can show up to the dining hall with your roommate and the next thing you know you’re there for 2 hours because more people keep joining. Having one dining hall means that’s the go-to place for food. You get to catch up with friends that you don’t get to see all week. People aren’t scattered between 4 different dining halls. You are guaranteed to always have someone to sit with. The after-class crowd is insane, but there will always be smiling faces for you to chat and unwind with.

You get to know your professors

Just like in the high school days, my class sizes have, on average, 25 students. This means my professor knows my name and when I don’t show up to class. To some students this could be a downfall, but for me it’s a bonus because it pushes me to show up to class. I love knowing I could show up to office hours and my professor has an idea of who I am.

Overall, going to a mid-sized university makes me feel like I have an important role in the community. I feel as if there are endless opportunities right in front of my face. I always have the ability to see my friends- whether it be in class, in the dining hall, or even passing on my walk through campus. School spirit is seen everywhere. Every student at Saint Joseph’s University has so much love and pride for the university and I couldn’t be happier to call it home.