College Size

So I'm still figuring out what I'm looking for in a college, and one aspect I've been thinking about is size. I'm not sure whether a larger or smaller school would suit me better, so for perspective, can anyone tell me which college has the most students? What's it like going to a large school?

The college with the most students currently is the University of Central Florida, with a student population of over 66,000. Large schools often offer an incredibly diverse range of opportunities—from numerous majors/minor options, a wide assortment of clubs, extensive resources, massive networking opportunities, and big-time sports culture.

However, this also means class sizes can be quite larger, particularly in first-year classes or popular courses. It's common for such classes to have hundreds of students, typically taught in lecture format with additional smaller discussion sections led by a TA (Teaching Assistant). This environment can seem overwhelming to some, but others thrive in it, appreciating the diversity of perspectives and interactions.

You may also have less personalized attention at larger universities, unless you seek it out. Professors can be more research-focused and office hours might be crowded, but this can be alleviated with proactive communication to build relationships.

On the flipside, smaller schools often have smaller class sizes, leading to closer student-faculty interactions, potentially fostering a more supportive learning environment. It can, however, also come with a more limited range of academic options and extracurricular activities compared to larger schools.

Ultimately, the "right" college size depends on your individual personality, learning style, and what you hope to gain in your college experience. You might want to visit a few colleges of various sizes if you can, or at least take virtual tours, to get a feel for what each environment might be like.