The McNicholas Milestone

Seniors have a decision to make by May 1 about where they will be attending college. For many, a major factor in that decision is to consider the differences between large universities and smaller liberal arts colleges.

Small schools can sometimes be overlooked because the student population is small, there are fewer majors, and the cost is double that of a state university. Some of the advantages of going to a smaller school, though, include smaller class size and more individual help from teachers. If you are a student that needs more specialized attention, then a smaller college might be for you. Andy Ey, Director of Technology, attended Mount St. Joseph University and said he “loved the atmosphere, loved being part of the community, and it felt like home.”

Larger schools have their own advantages, which include a wide variety of majors, larger student population, more resources, and better research facilities. Theology teacher Teresa Davis, attended the University of Cincinnati. “I loved the University of Cincinnati because of the spaciousness of the campus. I loved how big it was,” Davis said. Because of their size, large universities can be less personal and not as hands-on as a smaller college.

While one should consider pros and cons of any university, it is important to find a place that feels like home for the next four years. Matt Wehrman, McNicholas Counselor, said, “The most important part of looking for college is knowing which environment you will able to learn better in.”