Where are you going to college? Will it be a big or small school? Many seniors contemplate this every year. You know a larger college can offer an extensive variety of classes and that has a beautiful campus setting? A larger school may appear like the number one choice of many, but one should also remember that a larger school may mean a a higher tuition cost. This is when a regional college may be your best option.



A smaller campus is quite often little more than a regional setting. In other words, it is an extension of the larger university. Attending such a campus is a great option for many as credits are easily transferable from the regional campus to the university. Plus, by attending a regional campus, there is a good chance that the academic advisors are familiar with the requirements of the larger university so they will be able to help you plot the best course of action for your academic career.

Smaller campuses tend to also have less students per class. This is a wonderful benefit if you are looking for personal academic attention. This personlization can also help you handle the change from high school to college. This transition can be difficult for many and a smaller college helps to ease you into your new life circumstances. This is especially apparent when students take too long to adjust to college life and their academic performance declines as a result of the transition.

Smaller classes means more individualized attention for you which can be a lifesaver if taking core classes that are perhaps not exactly your forte. It is a far easier thing to schedule office visits with professors on a smaller campus than at most of the major universities where you are often lucky if you even see the professor during the course of the semester.

A large University has a great deal of extra curricular activities that are enjoyable. However, you are one of many students that participate so it's difficult to become deeply involved. A regional campus will allow you to a quicker time of becoming an active member in activities. You won't be just another faceless member in a big group activity, but a active force in a smaller group of competitors. You have improved your odds of getting to know more people at a more personalized level.

Each semester you have to sign up for new classes, pay tuition, and complete other administrative tasks. This is often easier and quicker to accomplish at a smaller college where there are less students. The administrative staff can meet with you personally on a timely basis. This type of one-on-one contact is much harder to come by at a larger University where your academic needs are one of thousands. You can go from hours of waiting at a large University to having your questions answered in ten minutes at a smaller college.

Cost is always a consideration for any college student. While financial aid and loans make larger universities affordable, paying off those loans can take years. You can shorten the time you are indebted to banks and the like by taking your first two years at a regional campus and then transferring to the larger campus to finish your studies. The money you save in those first two years can really pay off in the long run and the credits will transfer easily.

While the smaller campus does not have all of the amenities and allure of a larger institution, a shrewd student can take advantage of the benefits offered by the smaller places and often graduate with the very same degree but owing thousands less than their peers. Plus, if you are uncertain of your major or are nervous about making the transition to college life, then the smaller campus may be your best option. At the very least, a regional campus or local university is a great place to begin your collegiate career and you will often find it easier to meet lifelong friends there than in the rat race of the larger universities.