In defense of one of the larger schools (Michigan), I can say that Ann Arbor has an entirely different “feel” than my current home (Madison). Having come from a relatively small town, Ann Arbor isn’t much of a step up. Madison, on the other hand, is a pretty large urban center, and one does get the feeling of being lost in the multitude. At Michigan, however, I did a major in a very small department, and knew all of the faculty and other students rather well. We were certainly a very tight group of “dedicated nerds”. So it was possible, at least in my case, to have a “small college” experience at a large state university.
In retrospect, part of me wishes I had either stayed in Ann Arbor or sought out a smaller school than Wisconsin.
My goodness! Three Colby grads on this board! I know I’ve crossed paths with Lsura before, but I never knew I could count Judith Prietht as a fellow alum. Go Mules!
When my daughter did her college search two years ago, I actually discouraged her from Colby (although, she did apply, was accepted and declined admission). If I had it all to do over again, I would have chosen a less homogeneous, less expensive, less isolated school. I believe that you get out of your education what you put into it and that the huge expense of schools like Colby is not a good value. Similar opportunities exist at cheaper state schools (my daughter chose the University of New Hampshire), though you may have to seek out those opportunities more diligently. Colby was a bubble school–too confined and sheltered. Of course, I have great college memories–met my husband there–but I find it hard to justify the current cost with the comparative quality of education.
Proudest Monkey, have you been back for any of your reunions? I’m trying to decide if I’m going to go to my ten-year in June - I’d like to, but if those ten-year reunions (as opposed to later ones) tend to be a bunch of people playing Beer Die, I don’t know that it’d be worth the use of vacation time - I do think I’m probably going to go, but I’m still waffling on the decision.
/hijack
Cool - a third Colby grad here. I knew about Judith Prietht, but not about Proudest Monkey (although you’re one of those names I definitely recognize). I do agree that, although Colby is an excellent school for some people - and I don’t regret going there at all - that you can get an equivalent education at a less expensive state school. If I was doing it over again knowing what I know now, I’d probably go to the U of TN with in-state tuition and head into the honors program or the like - so I could have that small-group experience without the high price tag.
My stepson went to St. John’s Annapolis. Although not rural, it is a small town. There always seemed to be interesting and fun things to do. And much of the enjoyment came from the pleasure of being around stimulating people. Since the school itself is small, students and professor got to know each other very well and there was a close bond that is often missing in larger schools. These were not drudges at all, but witty and bright people.
My son met his future wife at freshman orientation. She was seated next to him. You just never know.