Choosing a college can be overwhelming. Senioritis is in full swing, your parents are hounding you left and right, and you have 2,000 universities to look at and choose from. It seems easier to just pick a random school out of a hat. But in times of fear, one thing is crucial to your school selection: city vs. suburbs. As a transfer student to UConn from Fordham, I’m going to share a few of the ups and downs on both sides of the story.
Coming from Connecticut, school in the city seems like a dream in which you are walking down 5th Avenue next to Carrie Bradshaw and her pals. And to be completely honest, it is at first. Freshmen flock to the city during the first weeks of the semester, trying to get a glimpse at the luxurious life we all wish to have. There are always movies playing, concerts being held, and musicals to go see. Not to mention the cornucopia of ethnic restaurants and clothing stores to spend hours at.
But once the glamour wears off, the true city-college experience kicks in. Campuses located near the city tend to have less of a sense of community feeling to them. With the city so close, the school expects you to make your own fun and find your own way. Because of this, many city-schools don’t have much school sprit, seeing as many students are there only for class. The ways to get involved are limited and people are stuck in the rushed city-rut, speeding from class to class. Not to mention that the “diversity” that was advertised at orientation is found mostly in the commuter population. Life is a lot different when reality hits.
As for suburban schools, they also have their pros and cons. For campuses like UConn, school spirit is practically a must. You’re stranded in the middle of nowhere and your peers are all your comrades. This bond also forms a strong sense of community on campus. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, knowing that you’re all in it together, as corny as that may sound. There are plenty of ways to get involved on campus; whether it’s a sports club or SUBOG, there’s something for everyone. Not to mention the buses (that now talk!) make the campus less “ginormus,” and more easy to navigate.
Besides the positive attributes, there are also some inconveniences in a suburban campus. To have such a beautiful campus as UConn, it entails that we be located in the middle of the boonies, with the closest mall – not including what Mansfield calls a “mall” – being over half an hour away. Students are stuck on campus, and tend to be limited in their free-time options. Also, being on a campus with over 16,000 undergrads (and a growing population) can often make students feel like “just a number.” If the effort isn’t put in to get involved, students can easily feel overwhelmed with the size and diversity.
All in all, pros and cons will always exist. What matters is choosing what works for you and not being afraid to switch it up if you make the wrong choice. College is meant to be enjoyable, and though it may have its ups and downs, you should at least be able to call it home.