How small is too small?

College Search & Lists
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Exactly, there are not a lot of professional careers where well-developed social skills are not somewhere in the range from very helpful to critical.

Of course as we have discussed there are many different paths to that end that may work for different kids. But to me, during your schooling phases, healthy social development is a top level priority along with intellectual development if you are thinking ahead to professional careers (or really life in general–humans are social animals).

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Please get back on topic and OP’s question. Thank you!

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Thanks everyone for all the insight, you’ve given us lots to think about. I’m starting to think 1800-4k might be the sweet spot for him. As long as kids are friendly and its not all cliques, I think he’ll be okay. I think we have a good list going that will continue to evolve as his ideas about college become more clear. He doesn’t have a major in mind yet but I think that’s okay. JUst knowing his personality a big school is definitly not the right fit for him. He’s way too quiet and is not going to just go join a club or an intramural unless someone asks him to. He’ll eat alone in the dining hall unless someone asks him to join them. I just think logistically these things are more likely to happen organically at a smaller school. He’s not anti-social, but he just doesn’t put himself out there. He’s a kid with a really small social circle but really likes those that are in it.

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I think that is a very helpful insight. And I think there is actually plenty of social science research supporting the thesis that a well-selected smaller college–meaning one with at least a decent percentage of kids who are the sorts of kids who are potential friends for your kid–is going to have plenty of students to “fill up” the more intimate social circles (which typically range in size from around 5 to around 50 depending on the level of intimacy involved).

Like here is one such visualization:

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I note if you look at the broader social circles, what this implies is at a smaller college, most or all of the people in your class year could end up acquaintances, and you could at least recognize most of the people in your entire college (understanding this will churn each year). And some people may find that too limiting, in fact, say the sorts of people who are excited about meeting lots of truly new people on a regular basis.

But it sounds like your kid is not one of those people, and instead is the sort who is really going to be focused on the quality of the relationships within the smaller circles. And again, those numbers are such that a small college really isn’t likely to be very limiting, unless perhaps it is just broadly inappropriate for the kid in question in terms of student culture and the other kids who select that college.

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45

While it wouldn’t be the basis for choosing a particular school, you may want to ask about orientation programs. Many schools have them, and some require all students to participate. The idea is that by doing something for a few days with a small group – hiking, camping, cooking, etc. – you have a few friendly faces outside your dorm or classes, and can feel a bit more settled more quickly. Also, less likely to walk into a dining hall without seeing a familiar face.

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For a variety further ideas, this site may be of interest: Friendliest Students | The Princeton Review.

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Of the schools suggested, I know that Dickinson is known for the optional “Explore More” programs available to freshmen students as an adjunct to their new student orientation

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48

My daughter’s BFF from high school goes to a small liberal arts school in a rural area (about 1800 kids). She spent a week with her friend on campus during their January session. A few things she noticed that were markedly different from her experience at UCLA:

  • her friend plays a sport, but is also in an acapella group and another club. She has friends across many groups and doesn’t only hang out with her sports team. That said, her sports team held a formal while my daughter was there and she learned it’s very common for the teams to do this and host other social events (functioning almost like a Greek org)
  • The main cafeteria feels a lot like high school. You can see that the theater kids hang together, the sports kids hang together, etc.
  • within just a few days, she was recognized while walking around campus. Kids said hi to her or nodded her way. Her friend said people immediately recognized her as a new face on campus and wanted to know her story
  • The gossip machine moves super fast—everyone knew the next day who’d had too much fun at the formal the night before, and it was a topic of conversation throughout the day
  • they were able to visit the ceramics studio belonging to her friend’s professor on a whim bc they were able to text him easily and he was like “yes, of course!”
  • Their Uber driver was the same woman to and from the Albany airport—a real character who chatted my daughter up the whole time.

All in all, my daughter was charmed by the small town life and college experience. But she said she preferred her own experience at a huge university. She likes the energy, diversity and variety of opportunities she has, but totally gets why her friend is loving her experience at a small school.

It seems like your son is a great fit for a small school and will enjoy the familiar faces, quirks and personalities.

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49

Having also attended a small rural LAC, this is so accurate! Ours had greek life but all of your points are right on.

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50

I’m just realizing a big/small school difference now due to housing issues. In some big schools, especially those where most kids move off campus sophomore year, kids are already forming next year’s roommate groups by Oct/Nov due to heavy competition for the “best” housing.

If your son is slower to form friendship groups, this could be an issue at the larger schools. I’m hearing a lot about it right now on S23’s school’s parent page. I feel like many of the smaller schools offer 4 years of housing and the whole selection process is much more laid back.

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However, some students may be interested in spatial attributes. Considered by campus size, a spatially luxuriant LAC may reside on acreage 15 times that of an urban university such as, say, Columbia.

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This is a good point. I think that’s actually why he really liked Scranton. The campus was very lively even on a Saturday morning and I think part of that is because the campus is so small.

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53

Yes this is definitely a concern and why I think a smaller school with guaranteed housing for 2 years and the option to live on campus all 4 years would be best.

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