When considering schools to which you may want to apply, it's very tempting to limit your choices to well-known "flagship" universities, which are almost invariably large, comprehensive research institutions. While such schools may be a good fit for many students, they may not be the best fit for everyone. Of the many good reasons for choosing to attend a small college or university, this article focuses on three: small schools as a source of academic and personal growth, the sense of community at a small school, and small schools as a route to higher-level study.

Academic and Personal Growth

Small schools are well known for having small class sizes and professors who are focused on teaching (as opposed to research). In such cases, a small school can offer outstanding opportunities for academic and personal growth. You will have an opportunity to work closely and develop strong collaborative relationships with both classmates and faculty, and build a valuable network that you’ll be able to leverage in future years as you navigate through professional life or on to higher-level academic study. The intimacy of the classroom and accessibility to professors not only creates an ideal environment for learning, but will truly give you the opportunity to shine as a student. Your professors will be in a position to recognize your strengths and talents and guide you in your growth.

A Sense of Community

Small schools excel at building a sense of community that’s likely to encompass students, faculty, administration, and the local population as well. At a small school, you will quickly come to realize that you are on a first-name basis with classmates, faculty and administrators alike, and that the community offers the supportive environment that’s so critical to success when studying abroad. This sense of community can also promote a broader understanding of other countries and cultures, as international students may be less likely to gravitate to their own country-specific cliques.

Excellent Route to Higher-level Study

For those students interested in higher-level study, a small school can offer an excellent route to graduate-level study at a top research institution. This is true for a number of reasons. First and foremost, you’re likely to have the opportunity for frequent and meaningful one-on-one contact with professors. This can yield huge dividends in terms of academic advising and opportunities to work on faculty-led projects. Secondly, you will likely have a chance to hone your research and report writing skills, as small class sizes free up professors to assign more written work, which is time-consuming to grade. Finally, you may have the opportunity to do bigger projects, such as junior papers and senior theses, most likely under the supervision of an expert in the field. All of these provide excellent preparation for graduate-level study, and will not go unnoticed by top schools.

Small Schools in Focus

The GAC Pathway University network includes a number of excellent small schools. The following are three worth considering:

College of Wooster



The College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio, USA, offers an excellent, comprehensive liberal arts education, culminating in a rigorous senior project, in which each student works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to conceive, organize, and complete a significant research project on a topic of the student's own choosing. Through this distinctive program, every Wooster student develops abilities valued by employers and graduate schools alike: independent judgment, analytical ability, creativity, project-management and time-management skills, and strong written and oral communication skills. As a result of this academic tradition, The College of Wooster has an outstanding record as a springboard to graduate-level study. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students, 16% of whom are international students.

Millikin University



Millikin University, in Decatur, Illinois, USA, is a private, comprehensive university with a diverse student population of approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students in four colleges/schools: Arts & Sciences, Fine Arts, Professional Studies, and Business. A Millikin education offers more than 50 majors and features Performance Learning, a unique approach to learning which offers students the chance to perform their learning inside and outside the classroom, and build the confidence to succeed before and after graduation. Located on a 75-acre residential campus, Millikin’s century-long tradition of teaching students to be courageous has a history of proven results—99% of Millikin students gain employment or entry into graduate/professional school within six months of graduating. This is yet another reason why Millikin is ranked No. 10 Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, as well as No. 28 Best Value School, and No. 5 Most Innovative School.

Saint Leo University



Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is a top-rated, private university located in St. Leo, Florida. This university offers students an ideal college experience—from our leading-edge academics with over 50 programs (including unique accelerated 3 + 1 degrees) to our commitment to the Benedictine core values. Less than an hour from downtown Tampa, the peaceful campus is surrounded by rolling green hills, dazzling orange groves, and clear-water lakes. As the safest campus in Florida, the university prides itself on providing students with the peace of mind to focus on their academic experience. Saint Leo has 2,200 undergraduate students on their University Campus, with a student to faculty ratio of 14:1. There are over 60 clubs and organizations, as well as NCAA Division II Athletics. Saint Leo is home to more than 550 international students from over 100 countries. Saint Leo University has developed a test-optional policy that does not require undergraduate applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process, and graduate students are not required to submit the GRE or GMAT. Saint Leo offers academic scholarships for undergraduate students up to $13,000 annually, to help make a private United States education affordable and accessible to students from across the globe.

So when researching colleges and universities, be sure to consider small schools as well. You’ll be glad you did!