Editorial by Gabe Altomare
As students graduate into a new chapter of their lives, the college they choose will greatly effect how that chapter is written. Large and small colleges can offer radically different experiences, and each has its merits. But for students looking for the best quality college career, large colleges are the superior option.
Larger colleges, such as University of Michigan, present a wide range of course, from urban planning to occupational psychology. They have the funding needed to build well equipped classrooms with professors well versed in the subject matter.
Colleges with large communities also boast a higher ethnic and cultural student diversity. This can give students a chance to observe and learn about cultures other than their own, broadening their world view. Increased tolerance and understanding can pave the way to smoother interaction in the workplace.
The more people and attention directed at a college, the more funds it will receive. This in turn allows larger colleges to provide more scholarships and financial aid to struggling students. More scholarships can also be awarded for academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and community service.
One perk of colleges with smaller populations is that they create a more personal learning environment. Students can bond with their teachers and peers, seeing similar faces each day. But this is possible in larger colleges as well. Communities within the community, of like-minded people, spring up all the time in the form of clubs, sports teams, political groups, and religious organizations. In fact, a larger community increases the likelihood of meeting more people with similar interests.
Not all styles of learning work for everyone, but larger colleges offer the widest range of choices to choose from. The odds of a student finding the style that fits their life is raised. They allow students to take up the pen with their own hand, and write the next chapter of their lives how they choose.
