Theres been a lot of attention given to the merits of attending a small school recently, so much so that many larger schools have adjusted their marketing to cater to the demand for smaller class sizes and a close knit community that small schools often guarantee. Beyond just small class sizes, here are some more unexpected benefits of attending a small school.
1. You get to know absolutely everyone
And not just the students. I know that knowing every student is an often discussed truth of attending a small school, and one that likely isn't for everyone, when you go to a small school you get to know more than just the students. You're probably on a first name or at least familiar smile basis with everyone on campus from the mail room staff to the admissions, human resources, and PR departments and maybe even your president.
2. Increased accessibility
At bigger schools, not only is it difficult to understand who to go to with a problem, but it can be even more difficult to get an appointment with them. If you're at a small school, its much easier to figure out who to talk to, and even easier to get them to listen to you since they probably actually know your name. (see above)
3. Accountability
Even if your school doesn't have an honor code (like many small schools do) theres something about a small community that creates an air of trust. Its so nice to be able to feel comfortable leaving your wallet or laptop at your table when you leave to go to class or grab coffee.
4. Short walks to class
If you're like me and not lucky enough to be a morning person, a less than 10 minute walk to class can be a life saver. This isn't just beneficial for those of us with 8 am's, but also during inclement weather. Nobody wants to walk to class during a snowstorm and in the rain, but you're more likely to muster the will power if its only 5 minutes.
5. Less competition for positions
At large schools, there may be a similar amount of positions (like within student government or club officer positions) that there is at small schools, but theres a much larger pool of people who could go after them. Even though your more than capable class mates will provide fierce competition for elections or appointed positions, there probably less people going for it at a small school. You'll probably have the added advantage of campaigning to a campus that knows you, rather than a sea of strangers.
6. Everyone knows whats going on
While this can be annoying when everyone knows about the argument you had with a friend or significant other, knowing everything thats going on on campus is super convenient when it comes to activities and events. If your a member of a club promoting an event, it can be easier to get people to show up. Even if you're just looking for something to do, you won't have to search too hard since you'll probably already know whats going on that day.
7. You make friends more quickly
When you see the same faces every day, everyone seems a lot more approachable and familiar. you have the chance to interact with people more than just a few times, and its so much easier to form relationships. That person you talked to while getting ice cream in the dining hall? At a big school, you may never see them again. At a small school you'll probably see them again that week.
8. Shorter assemblies (especially graduation)
When you have a few thousand people (or less than 1,000, like my school) graduations and assemblies are a lot less long and painful. I don't think I could ever sit through a graduation at a large state school.
9. Less intimidating party scene
Don't be fooled by the myth that theres no party scene at small schools, thats not true at all! At most small schools, people describe the party scene as being "there if you want it, out of sight and mind if you don't." Whats nice about the party scene at smaller schools though, is that its much less in your face than at big state school. Its so much less scary to walk into a party at a small school where you're more likely to see a familiar face than at a frat party at a state school.
10. Campus wide conversations
Its so much easier to impart change on campus when everyone is able to be involved in the conversation, which is much more feasible at small school. Its so much easier for everyones voices to be heard and for consensus or compromise to be reached. When it comes to social justice, the potential to have streamlined conversations amongst a large group of people is invaluable.
