MARCH 2017

PLANNING NEWS
R2S Planning Newsletter

Success consists of going from failure to failure

In this issue: without loss of enthusiasm. Winston Churchill

Sizing Up Colleges:
Big vs. Small
Quick Guide: Starting
your College Search
When one door closes, another opens; but we often
look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door
that we do not see the one which has opened for
us. Alexander Graham Bell

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most

certain way to succeed is always to try just one more
time. Thomas A. Edison

Sizing Up Colleges: Big vs. Small
Source: College Board
As you begin your college search, one of the first
decisions you need to make and one that helps
narrow your list is what size college you want to
attend. U.S. colleges offer many options, from small
colleges with fewer than 1,000 students to large
state universities with more than 35,000 students.
What's best for you depends a lot on your
personality and academic goals.
The Big College Experience
Do you picture yourself at a Big Ten university that
offers everything from televised sporting events to
countless degree programs? Are you itching to
break free of the high school fishbowl and enjoy the
anonymity that comes with being one of thousands
of students? Then a big college might be a good fit
for you.
Here are some of the benefits associated with big
colleges. Keep in mind, these may not be true of all
of them:
Wide variety of majors and courses
Well-stocked libraries
Variety of housing opportunities
Well-funded sports programs
Wide range of academic choices
and student activities
Distinguished or famous faculty
State-of-the-art research facilities
Things to Consider
To succeed at a big college, it's best to
go in knowing what subjects or general
areas you're interested in pursuing. Stu-
dents who do best at large colleges tend
to be go-getters who are not afraid to
speak up and take advantage of the
many opportunities available.
Introductory classes at a large college
may contain hundreds of students. Some
students find this environment exciting.
Others feel overwhelmed.

Another point: If you're attracted to a college
because of its famous faculty, find out how
many classes are actually taught by the profes-
sors, and not by their teaching assistants.
Administrative red tape is also something to
think about large colleges tend to have a lot
of it. For example, enrolling in a course that's
not part of your major may require multiple sig-
natures and approvals.
The Small College Experience
Do you enjoy personal attention from teachers
and advisers? Then a small college may be just
what you need. Some students find that a
smaller setting is a better fit. Although there
may be fewer facilities, there are also fewer
students to compete with.
Here are some of the benefits associated with
small colleges. Again, these may not be true of
all of them:
Small class sizes
Hands-on learning opportunities
Individually designed majors
Strong advising system; advisers know
students well
Strong sense of community
Professors, not teaching assistants, teach
most courses
Opportunity to get to know professors well
Things to Consider
Small colleges don't offer as many majors as
big colleges; however, some of them let you
design your own.
Courses at small colleges are usually taught by
professors, not teaching assistants. The profes-
sors may even know your name and areas of
interest.
Be aware that small colleges do not have the
research facilities of large universities. If you're
hoping to be a research assistant, find out what
kind of work and facilities are available before
you apply.
Although you'll find a robust social life at most
small colleges, you'll find less in terms of big
sporting events and variety. However, there is
often a stronger sense of community and con-
nection.
Start Your Search
Whether you're considering a big university, a
small college, or something in between, you
need to carefully look at all options, and deter-
mine what's most important to you. Use College
Search to research two-year and four-year col-
leges and find some of the size that meets your
needs.
For information about college guidance you can:
Email: r2splanning@gmail.com
Phone / Fax: 1-877-418-8719
Quick Guide: Starting Your
College Search
There are thousands of col-
leges to choose from, but
which should go on your col-
lege list? Use these steps to
begin your college search.
Talk to Your Family
Open up a discussion. Talk to your
family about your interests and
goals. Ask them about their experi-
ence with college, if any, and find
out what kind of support they can
give you. If there are money con-
cerns, its best to know now.
Make a Wish List
What do you want in a college?
Make a list that includes everything
from possible majors to location to
extracurricular activities. Even if it
doesnt seem important, get it down
this exercise will help you get a
better idea of what youre looking
for.
Get Advice
Talk to a college counselor or your
principal about starting your college
search. Then talk to people who
have been to college kids from
your high school, teachers and rela-
tives about what college is really
like and how they found theirs.
Read Your Mail
Your mailbox and in-box might al-
ready be filled with college bro-
chures and emails. If so, browse
through them; you may find colleges
you havent thought of. If you arent
getting college mail yet, visit college
websites and sign up for infor-
mation.
Go to College Fairs
You can get a lot of information
about different colleges in one place
at a college fair. Youll meet college
representatives who can talk to you
and answer questions about their
colleges, and you can sign up for
college mailing lists. Check out
the College Fair Checklist.
Explore Online
A visit to a colleges website can
give you an idea of what student life
and classes are like. You can
take virtual campus tours, check out
classes and even contact admission
officers and current students with
questions.
Visit a Campus
Get a taste of college life by visiting
a nearby college. You can explore
the campus, talk to college students
and get a better sense of what you
do and dont want in a college. Youll
also start to see how college is dif-
ferent from high school. Learn more
about campus visits.
Put It All Together
Use all of the information youve
gathered to make a list of the colleg-
es youre interested in. Dont limit
yourself. You can use this list to get
a better idea of whats important to
you in a college and where you want
to go.
Source: College Board