So how are students meant to decide between a “big name” university and a school that feels like home? Many students who come to Presbyterian College have this dilemma.

So what should you consider when choosing a college? Are you going to look at rankings? What about social media or the culture? Are students currently choosing school for success or just for status? Prestige is often overrated. Long-term success matters more on fit than reputation.

First, I would challenge students to think about where prestige gets you in life. My personal opinion is that a famous name doesn’t necessarily guarantee achievement. Motivation, discipline, and involvement matter more than branding. Students who struggle academically or socially have much more support at smaller schools, while bigger-name, larger campuses often don’t offer that to the same extent.

Presbyterian College’s small student body means that you are known and not lost in the mix of large class sizes. Professors will know your name and notice if you are absent. Personally, I have had professors reach out to me to make sure that I am okay if I miss class. This means the world, because especially when missing class is due to illness, you know that they care about you. The professors genuinely care about you, not only as a student, but as a human being. It is a lot harder to drift into the background at Presbyterian College. You will be involved and truly grow academically. This is the opposite of larger universities, where you can have classes with 300 people. Your professor will not know your name or work with you personally. This isn’t me bashing other schools; I’m just making you aware of the different learning styles that are necessary here. If you are a person who thrives in an environment where you are held accountable and have daily interactions with classmates and professors, a small school is for you. If you are a person who learns better on your own and can teach yourself topics you don't understand, then a larger school may be for you.

At Presbyterian College, leadership opportunities are very accessible. You are not competing with thousands of students for the same position. You have the opportunity to start new clubs, lead organizations, and really shape the campus. At bigger schools, it can take years to become as involved as a Presbyterian College student can in just one. Presbyterian College gives you the opportunity to lead much sooner than larger schools.

Professors on Presbyterian College’s campus are not only instructors but mentors. Office hours often turn into real conversations about your day, career goals, or life in general. Professors on campus can write non-generic recommendation letters. Whether you are in pre-law, medical, or business, relationships and recommendations matter. Mentorship can also outweigh a school's name recognition in the long run.

Overall, Presbyterian College is a tight-knit community that makes it harder to “disappear” socially. Presbyterian College's culture values character and involvement over competition like larger schools. Competition at those schools can often lead to negative impacts on mental health. Presbyterian College will prepare you for employment. PC prepares you for internships, leadership roles, and future career goals. Alumni connections will be more personal and intentional, as we all know the character and drive it takes to be a Blue Hose. As always, school and success are what you put into it. You will get out of college what you put into it.