Attending A Large University

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for thoughts of those who have actually attended a large university with a student population greater than 20,000 (think UMD, UMichigan, UCLA, Wisconsin-Madison, etc). Though you find your niche, a lot of students gravitate to those in their majors.

This is not a discussion about joining fraternities or sororities so let's not discuss the advantages or disadvantages nor having a TA versus a professor. I've got these two areas covered thanks to other threads.

For those who have attended large universities, did you feel 'lost' at times because of so many people? If given a 2nd chance, would you attend a large university again knowing what you know now?

[Anonymous]

I attended a specialized, rigorous program within a large state school. I loved it. I easily found my niche in academics and in extracurriculars outside the Greek system. It obviously depends on the student, but a good student with a focus will do great even in a big school, I think.

[Anonymous]

I went to Penn State. Loved it, in much part because of the size. However, I was very independent and responsible. It would have been easy to blow off classes and fail out, like my brother did at another big state school. While I did ultimately join a sorority, that was a very small part of my experience (I ultimately quit it at the start of my senior year). I had friends in my dorm, in my major, in the extra-curricular and clubs I was in. Lots of opportunity to make it what you want it to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for thoughts of those who have actually attended a large university with a student population greater than 20,000 (think UMD, UMichigan, UCLA, Wisconsin-Madison, etc). Though you find your niche, a lot of students gravitate to those in their majors.

This is not a discussion about joining fraternities or sororities so let's not discuss the advantages or disadvantages nor having a TA versus a professor. I've got these two areas covered thanks to other threads.

For those who have attended large universities, did you feel 'lost' at times because of so many people? If given a 2nd chance, would you attend a large university again knowing what you know now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Penn State. Loved it, in much part because of the size. However, I was very independent and responsible. It would have been easy to blow off classes and fail out, like my brother did at another big state school. While I did ultimately join a sorority, that was a very small part of my experience (I ultimately quit it at the start of my senior year). I had friends in my dorm, in my major, in the extra-curricular and clubs I was in. Lots of opportunity to make it what you want it to be.

I attended PSU - One of the biggest reasons why I disliked it was the size. Even though I was in the honors college, I felt the school was way too big. I felt like I was going to school at walmart or target.

I had friends who attended the larger population ivies and even they weren't all that thrilled with their experience either.

I have 3 siblings and my older sibling told me about school size but I blew it off.

I was the only one to attend a school larger than 7k in UG size and I by far had the worst undergrad experience.

Even my friends who went to the larger ivies told my younger siblings to go for top lac's if they didn't get into HYP.

Knowing me now, I would've done best at a much smaller school, but one that was in a major city so school size wouldn't be suffocating.

[Anonymous]

I went to the largest state school in the USA -- ASU. And I lived at home. It was fine, I'd do it again. I graduated with ZERO debt, too.

The main downside was if you met someone you liked in a class, you had to make an effort to connect with them, because you knew you'd most likely never see them again if you didn't.

[Anonymous]

Went to U of M and dropped out after a year. Much too large and having social anxiety didn't help. Finished up at a very small school where it was a much more personalized learning environment.

[Anonymous]

Went to Michigan State. Loved it. Loved the size (though if it had been a few thousand less I wouldn't have noticed!) Friendships were largely made in the dorms freshmen year. Each floor was very social. I would go again in a heartbeat. My husband also went to a large state flagship. We had that in common. We have encouraged our children to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Large schools are great. Always something new to do or new people to meet. You do not get bored after 4 years. You do not get stuck going to the same small parties with nothing to do but drink. It does not feel like high school.

[Anonymous]

Michigan and a Wisconsin are both in great college towns.

[Anonymous]

If you go the huge Uni way, be sure to accept your admission ASAP and submit for freshman housing ASAP. DS got into PSU, but it was late and all that was left was "supplementary housing". Yuck, no thanks.

[Anonymous]

I went to University of Michigan and bleed maize and blue. I adored it. I am from NYC so I am no stranger to large groups of people. Going to college was my first time away from home. At first it seemed large and scary but it wasn't long before I made friends and could get around easily.

I know you said this is not a discussion about the greek system but at a large school you have to find smaller group with whom you can socialize. Think fraternity/sorority, sports, you need something.

Once of the best things about Michigan was any day of the week you wanted to party you could find someone to party with but likewise any day of the week you wanted to study you could find someone to study with.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I met my best friends at Michigan. It was a great 4 years and I can't imagine my life had I gone to a smaller school or frankly a different school. Go Blue!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you go the huge Uni way, be sure to accept your admission ASAP and submit for freshman housing ASAP. DS got into PSU, but it was late and all that was left was "supplementary housing". Yuck, no thanks.

PP here who was psu alum. i'm sorry your DS was put through that - that's the worst, luckily i didn't have to go through that but if i did i think i would've just left.

That said, it isn't limited to large universities. My youngest sister went to a top 3 lac (amherst, williams, and swat) and they had supplementary housing issues there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to University of Michigan and bleed maize and blue. I adored it. I am from NYC so I am no stranger to large groups of people. Going to college was my first time away from home. At first it seemed large and scary but it wasn't long before I made friends and could get around easily.

I know you said this is not a discussion about the greek system but at a large school you have to find smaller group with whom you can socialize. Think fraternity/sorority, sports, you need something.

Once of the best things about Michigan was any day of the week you wanted to party you could find someone to party with but likewise any day of the week you wanted to study you could find someone to study with.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I met my best friends at Michigan. It was a great 4 years and I can't imagine my life had I gone to a smaller school or frankly a different school. Go Blue!

My DC is going next year. Hoping DC likes it as much as you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went to Michigan State. Loved it. Loved the size (though if it had been a few thousand less I wouldn't have noticed!) Friendships were largely made in the dorms freshmen year. Each floor was very social. I would go again in a heartbeat. My husband also went to a large state flagship. We had that in common. We have encouraged our children to do the same.

Fellow Spartan here and I agree with this post! I was out of state and didn't know a soul on my first day. My freshman roommate is still one of my best friends.