Small vs. Large Universities: What to Consider

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Small vs. Large Universities What to Consider
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• There are many factors to consider when choosing
  your university, one of which is whether youd
  prefer to go to a small or large school. This
  will help you narrow down your options
  considerably. However, its important to first
  understand the differences between small and
  large universities, as well as why someone may
  prefer one over the other.

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• Advantages of Small Universities
• Small universities have a maximum of 5,000
  students, which creates a community feel. Whereas
  there are usually too many people for you to know
  everyone, you will find that many faces quickly
  become familiar. Students often develop personal
  relationships with their professors and gain
  personalized advice from faculty members. There
  is an emphasis on teaching and students receive
  individual attention in small classes.

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• Many students choose small universities for the
  chance to create their own majors (as opposed to
  following a program the school has designed).
  Some also like the opportunity to stand out and
  gain leadership skills.

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• Disadvantages of Small Universities
• Although you may be able to create your own
  major, youll have less choice of classes to
  begin with. If theres something specific you
  want to study, you may need to go to a large
  university.

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• The same goes for if you need access to modern
  resources, such as research facilities. In
  addition, youll have less choice in terms of
  social activities at a small university, and
  youll likely find the sports teams receive less
  funding. Lastly, many small universities are in
  rural areas, where you may feel quite isolated.

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• Advantages of Large Universities
• With typically more than 15,000 students, large
  universities give you the chance to meet many new
  people. Youll often find a more diverse range of
  students, which means a higher likelihood of
  finding people with similar passions to you
  particularly if you have some niche interests.
  There also tend to be more opportunities for both
  academics and extracurricular activities.

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• Not only do large universities have more space
  for additional students, they tend to have a
  greater range of facilities. This may include
  research materials and well-funded sports
  programs. These facilities attract faculty
  members who are top in their fields you may
  even have the chance to collaborate with these
  professors on their research, which will be
  invaluable if you intend to continue on to
  graduate school.

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• Disadvantages of Large Universities
• The main disadvantage of large universities is
  the lack of individual attention. Classes may
  have more than a hundred students, making it
  difficult to stand out. For the same reason, its
  up to you to make sure you find opportunities for
  yourself. Youre less likely to have a mentor who
  will let you know when something becomes
  available that could be perfect for you. It will
  be up to you to advocate for yourself and seek
  resources.

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• Another problem is that the large amount of
  social activities can be distracting. Its easy
  to become involved in too much and start
  neglecting your academics. In addition, large
  universities can be more bureaucratic. This means
  it may take more effort to switch majors, as
  youll need to gain approval from more people.
  These downsides are less of an issue if you are
  relatively sure about what you want to do and
  motivated to achieve your goals.

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• Medium-Sized Universities
• Of course, theres also an option in between
  medium-sized universities, which have between
  5,000 and 15,000 students. As these have a
  mixture of the advantages and disadvantages of
  both small and large universities, its important
  to assess each individually to see if it has the
  features that matter to you.

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• If you decide a large university is for you,
  McMaster University is a great option not least
  because you have some great choices for housing.
  Instead of living in McMaster residence, you can
  rent a room at West Village Suites. All the
  suites have updated furniture, theres fast WiFi
  throughout the building, and youll even have
  access to a self-checkout grocery market on site.
• Book a tour to take a look for yourself.