Choosing Between Large Universities and Small Colleges in Massachusetts

When it comes to picking a Massachusetts college to attend, high schoolers often have one major decision to make before they narrow their options further: a large college or a smaller one? Both have plenty of pros and cons, so it all comes down to what you’re looking for in a school.

Wondering how to choose? Here are some helpful facts to consider about both types of universities to get you started.

Large Universities

If you’re thinking about enrolling at a large university, here are a few things that you need to know.

• Bigger Campuses – Large schools have numerous buildings and spread-out campuses, making it tricky to get across campus in the time that you have between classes. You’ll need to plan your schedule accordingly or be prepared to run or bike to each destination.
• More Students – As expected, larger schools have thousands of students that attend them. This means that they have a higher student to faculty ratio, and students might end up feeling more like a number than a person. It does depend on the department, however. Some might have more of a family feeling than others.
• Plenty of Extracurricular Activities – You’ll find no shortage of things to do at a large university. From sports teams to clubs and more, there’s always something going on. You’ll never be bored, unless you want to be, of course.
• More Career Resources – Since bigger schools tend to have a lot of alumni, you’ll find it easier to make the connections that can land you a job in your field. With that said, you may not find many personalized options at the student career center because those employees may be overworked with too many students on their hands.

Small Colleges

Small colleges have a number of things that work in their favor, too. Here are some of the facts to consider when you’re looking at them:

• Smaller Campuses – If you don’t like to walk around a lot in inclement weather, then a small school is a good option. After all, smaller colleges tend to have smaller campuses, so everything will be within a reasonable range.
• Better Student to Faculty Ratio – Small colleges and low student to faculty ratios go hand in hand, ensuring that students are seen as more than just a number.
• Fewer Sports Teams and Extracurriculars – This is the one place where larger universities tend to shine. The smaller the school, the fewer the participants in things like sports and clubs. However, some small colleges do have plenty of things to get involved in, and Dean is no exception.
• More Personalized Career Resources – Although bigger schools might have more connections, due to their size and alumni base, you’ll get more personalized job search services at a small college.

Have You Decided to Attend a Small College?

Are you considering attending a small college in Massachusetts? If so, then Dean College might just be the school that you’re looking for. With a small school feel and a large-school number of extracurricular activities, you’ll get the best of both worlds. We’re excited to meet you. Request more information, today.