Applications are already all sent, and College Decision Day is just around the corner. Now is the first of many life’s biggest decisions: which college setting should you choose? The typical college town, or the more urban environment. Here’s your guide to picking what atmosphere is best for you!
How important is a campus to you?
This is the most important factor. For the next four (+) years do you want more of a small town feel with everything centered around your school? Or do you want your university to have more of a supporting role in your college years where an entire city is your stage?
How important is typical ‘college life’ to you?
Are you all about being a part of a ‘self-contained’ campus- meaning that the vast majority of activities you will participate are school affiliated? This also means that the surrounding area will be your campus and because everything you need is contained right in that proximity, you will be spending the majority of your time on that campus, opposed to a city school. While some city schools have a campus, the campus has a more fluid feel, meaning that there is a whole city to explore that is disconnected from campus.
How much of a real world experience are you looking for?
While college is meant to prepare students for the ‘real world’, city school environments usually foster a more direct approach to the real world. In life after college, never again will you be dealing with people exclusively from your school like you do in a college town environment. On the contrary, a city school exposes you to people from all walks of life and people from that city who aren’t necessarily connected to your school.
Could you see yourself living in a city?
It takes a certain level of tenacity to live in the city opposed to a more rural atmosphere. Living in a city is tough- with the hustle and bustle, some days it feels like it can chew you up and spit you out. Both have their pros and cons, so before you make your decision, make sure you can see yourself living in either of those environments!
