Colorado Technical University

Would you rather go to a good large college or a small college and play sports?

the large college would be a division 1 school with good academics and the small college would be division 2 or 3 where you would play a sport

Public Comments

1. no doubt that large college is better for playing sports
2. If the bigger goal is to play, then the small college. if the goal is prestige and academics with a secondary goal to play, then the bigger school.
3. The answer to your question depends a lot on what you want. I would suggest going to both schools and checking them out - do you like the bustle of the large college? Do you like the personalization of the smaller one? Also think long-term, do you want to go to graduate school? Often, graduate schools will not only look at your standardized test scores (eg. MCAT, LSAT) but they will look at the strength of your undergrad institution. What do you want to do after school? How are the schools' alumni networks? How are their programs for things you're interested in? I chose a smaller school over a larger one because I didn't like the feeling that I was a number. I didn't like it that there were literally hundreds of people in my core classes - that may not bother you. At my smaller school I was able to engage in debates and had opportunities a larger school couldn't have offered. But if you want name recognition or the academics are much stronger, the Div I might be a good choice. Go sit in on a few classes, take the tours and then decide. If you don't like it, don't forget, you can always transfer (just do it before your jr year). Good luck!
4. It depends on what you want. It sounds like you wouldn't play a sport if you went to the DI school. DI & II schools can give athletic scholarships while DIII's cannot. At a DIII you may have a better chance of playing. Many of the DIII schools have very good academic programs, but are more expensive to go to. So again, it goes to what you want. If you really want to play go to the DII or III. Classes will probably be smaller there. A lot of times at the large DI's the you are in a huge hall and don't get to know your Professor or many of the other students in class. You usually meet them other ways. The DII or III if you are playing a sport gives you some place you already belong. If you like structure it would be good you would have workout times, study times and have extra rules to follow. If money is the most important factor then go to the one that is going to give you the most financial aid, but it doesn't sound like money is the large issue to you. You want to weigh everything; how far it is from home, how large the classes will be, how busy you will be if you play on a team, if you want rules or to be totally left to make your own decisions.