Many factors go into determining a student’s college list, and two of the most important can be campus size and location. Small colleges often offer more personalized attention and close-knit communities as compared to larger institutions. Urban colleges boast access to a huge range of people, businesses, and opportunities, a hustle-and-bustle that more rural schools may not provide. As a result, some students find small colleges in large cities to be their ideal university setting, balancing access to opportunities with a supportive community.
Is your student interested in small colleges with access to big cities? Here are a few colleges to research.
Barnard College: If your student is looking for a big city, New York is likely on their radar. Barnard College is home to 3300 female undergraduates, with 70% of classes having 19 or fewer students and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Located in upper Manhattan, Barnard claims New York as their campus. Thinking Locally core courses and the Harlem Semester engage students academically beyond the physical bounds of classrooms, and a unique partnership with Columbia University provides additional academic opportunities.
Emerson College: Nestled in the Theatre District of Boston, Massachusetts, Emerson’s location puts its 4100 students within reach of performing arts venues, museums, the Boston Common park, and so much more. If Emerson’s 450 professors don’t offer enough variety, students can also take courses through the ProArts Consortium of colleges. Outside of the classroom, Boston is home to many arts and communications employers, including The Boston Globe, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Hubspot.
Macalester College: Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester’s 2100 undergraduates have access to both Twin Cities. The school boasts hundreds of internship sites close to campus and 60 courses that involve community-based learning and partnership with local businesses. At the same time, Macalester’s student-to-faculty ratio is just 10:1, offering ample opportunities for mentoring and relationship building.
Occidental College: Occidental is just 7 miles from downtown Los Angeles, California. With an average class size of just 17 students and an 87% first-year retention rate, Oxy provides its 1800 undergraduates with a small community environment and access to everything LA has to offer. Programs like Partnership for Community Involvement, InternLA, and alumni networking events help students make connections with local businesses and professionals across a range of fields, from policy and advocacy to entertainment and business.
Reed College: A short bus or bike ride from downtown Portland, Oregon, Reed is home to 1300 undergraduates. All classes are taught by professors, feedback is emphasized over letter grades, and new students live in first-year neighborhoods to ease their adjustment to campus life. But Reedies aren’t limited to campus; community engagement programs connect students with Portland through off-campus employment, volunteer opportunities, and free trips and activities.
Are these schools a good fit for your student? Your Galin college counselor can suggest potential colleges and guide your student’s research process!
