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At really small colleges, is there a lot of the same pettiness and pigeon-holling that happen in high school? Are certain schools worse in this way than others? Please answer , thanks!

By Calimari (Calimari) on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

no, I would have to say mostly not. Small colleges tend to be more supportive enviromnments than large universities and colleges because you are not one of a multitude, but one of a small community. Usually smaller schools are where you will have more oppurtunities to know your professors and have more of an oppurtunity to shine. If you are interested in small schools, check out Bates( more laid back),Bowdoin,Colby,Beloit (also laid back),Hamilton ( have heard that Hamilton can be snobby a little) ,Wellesley (same, and its all girls), and other small, good liberal arts focused institutions. good luck!

By Haon (Haon) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 11:45 pm: Edit

Small schools do not have any more pettiness or pigeon-holling than large ones...the more supportive environment counteracts the smaller amount of people.

However, I have heard that Amherst can be snobby.

By Ksolo (Ksolo) on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 12:24 am: Edit

It really depends on the institution.

Problem with small schools is that many of the students know one another, so that can lead to unnecessary gossip (just like high school). So there is definitely some pettiness that you see in high school at any of the small colleges. Why? Because it is a small college.

But the advantages of being at a small college greatly outweigh minor disadvantages such as the ocassional pettiness.

Larger universities usually don't have this as much, simply because they are large. Many students do not know each other as much. Strangers don't tell other strangers their business.

Whereas with a small college, many students arent strangers to each other. You can be the most anti-social person in the world, and you still won't be a "nobody." A decent number of students will know you, in some way or another.