In my last post, I talked about the first simple question to help you narrow down your list of colleges:
Do I want BIG school or a small school?
Today, I’ll tackle the second one.
Do I want to live in a BIG city or do I want to live in a small college town?
Again, you need to consider where you are going to LIVE for the next four years. Some people are inherently “city folk” and others like a smaller community.
Big Cities
BIG cities, like BIG schools offer choices. Most city schools offer a variety of living options (at least after freshman year) both on-campus and off. Going to school in New York, Boston, Chicago or LA means having access to arts, sports, shopping entertainment, restaurants and more (some of which are even relevant to your education). If you have a specific career in mind (film, business, high tech) a specific city may offer the chance to network or find internships in your field. “City people” thrive on the noise, the crowds and the excitement.
Living in a city is…different. If you live off campus, transportation is an issue. You may find great public transportation (Boston, New York), or find that you have to have a car (LA). Big cost difference: insurance, parking, gas, and more add up. Cities such as Boston have great, affordable public transit and generally offer reduced prices for commuters. Simply getting to and from class, or the library, or choir practice may be more time-consuming, difficult and expensive in a city. The University of Wisconsin student newspaper, The Spectator, looks at both sides of the issue.
Small College Towns
SMALL college towns offer a more campus-focused life. There are still plenty of plays, concerts, art exhibits and more, but they tend to be on-campus and you often have to plan ahead to see your favorites. Housing is more likely to be on-campus, but even off-campus apartments may be cheaper, safer and closer to classes and activities. Walking to classes means most people can get along without a car. Even if you choose to have a car, parking, insurance and gas can be much cheaper. Most students find small town life easier, less stressful and less rushed. The result is more time spent with friends and studies, fewer distractions, and, for some, better grades! “Small town people” appreciate the ease, the quiet and the friendliness. For one student’s perspective on small town life, check out the Small Town blog.
Other people find small town life confining. They miss the hustle and bustle of the city. They want to be able to go to the symphony on a moment’s notice and not wait for a visiting orchestra. They miss the noise, the crowds and the excitement. Studying in a small town often means leaving for internships or career networking. Shopaholics may find the limited array of stores depressing. Foodies may miss the chance to discover exotic, out-of-the-way restaurants.
So, how do you decide? If possible, visit! If not, talk to friends and relatives who have gone to school in cities or towns. Ask them what they liked and disliked and consider those responses in terms of your own needs. Also, consider where you have grown up. Maybe college is the time to safely experiment with an environment very different from the one you know so well. Remember, you are talking about four years, but only four years.
My youngest daughter chose a wonderful small town when she went to Williams College in Western Massachusetts (Williamstown: population about 9,000) and loved every minute. After graduation, she moved (along with many of her classmates and close friends) to Boston (MSA population about 4.5 million). She has loved city life and even chose MIT for graduate school. It IS possible to experience it all.
