As admissions decisions begin to roll in, high school seniors are weighing their college options. In addition to financial aid packages, programs offered and distance from home, school type – public or private – is an important factor to consider.

If you’re thinking about attending a public university, consider these facts:

• There will be many students attending your college...thousands, actually. Your classes could have 200+ students so be prepared to readjust your learning style.
• For in-state students, tuition is generally less expensive than private schools.
• You’ll need to make more of an effort to build relationships with your professors.
• From sporting events to student clubs, public schools have many activities to offer but it’s up to you to find the right balance between extracurriculars and schoolwork.

I was automatically drawn to private schools (Campbell specifically) because I was not interested in any of the public schools in North Carolina. If you want to go to a private school, here are some points to ponder:

• The student body is usually smaller at private colleges, which means it may be easier to make friends and connect with faculty.
• Though the sticker price is often higher, private schools could provide you with an abundance of grants, scholarships and other financial aid options.
• If you do decide to transfer from a private school, it may be difficult to retain all the credits you have earned.
• Some private schools are faith-based; if religion is important to you, find a school with a mission that mirrors your beliefs.

Before you submit an enrollment deposit, I hope that you take a moment to consider these factors and do some deeper research. If you have any questions for me about what it's like attending Campbell or a private school in general, please shoot me a comment!

Katlyn Clark is a freshman at Campbell University majoring in journalism and minoring in marketing. She hopes to become a broadcast journalist for entertainment or write for a magazine such as People or Seventeen. In her spare time, Katlyn loves to hang out with friends and family and watch sports; she is a Christian who is so thankful for God’s many blessings in her life. Katlyn is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and loves Tim Tebow, Pinterest, the WWE and cats.

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