Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions many people have to make in their lives. The whole process of gathering information, talking to academic counselors and visitation to colleges can get to be a little nerve-racking. Eventually a decision is made and the whole college experience begins. Two years ago I went through the whole college selection process just like most other college students. Coming from a high school graduating class of a little over one hundred, I decided a small private college in a very rural setting would be better for me. At the time, Ohio State seemed overwhelmingly big, which I have found is commonly said by freshmen. Since I made the decision to transfer here, my opinion has changed. Large universities are not completely intimidating, as one’s first opinions may intend. Class size, social life and the distance from home play an important role in the optimal college choice. My freshman year at the small private college got off to a terrific start. I felt that I had truly made the right decision. As time went on I began to have doubts. After all, college is supposed to be a place to expand our knowledge, meet different and diverse people and of course, visit the bar scenes. For the second time around, I had to go through the college selection process. So here I am at Ohio State.Obviously at a small college classes are going to be smaller. For example a math course that I had taken at the previous college had approximately 30 students in each class. Here at OSU, the number of students in these courses range in the hundreds. At OSU, professors have more controlled hours in which they are available. There are professors that are willing to work with you around their schedules at both schools, which is definitely a plus. At a college that is located in a town where if you blink you may miss it, social hangouts are hard to come by. You have to travel great distances to find some excitement. At OSU, fun is nearly around the corner. Many places are within walking distance. Also there are dance clubs for students to let loose and blow off some steam. The only thing my previous college had to offer was a pizza shop with karaoke on Wednesday nights. Life got to be boring when the excitement of running to the grocery store or Dairy Queen became monotonous. As with many things, students like to do everything in the most convenient way possible. At my previous college I never had to walk far. It was not my choice, it is just that classes were held in one of four buildings which were located across from the dorms. Coming to OSU and taking buses to and from classes was a big change for me. Since Ohio State is so large, riding a bike is always an option. In a rural community riding a bike around pot holes and on dirt roads is not much fun.Overall I believe choosing to transfer to Ohio State was the right decision. Although I do not get the comfortable conveniences of home, living ‘on my own’ is a good opportunity for me to experience more independence. It allows me to grow and prosper on my own. Whether in class or hanging out with various friends, there is usually something memorable from each day. There seems to be something always going on. Class size can be overwhelming but one just has to find a way to adjust. Part of maturing into an adult is adapting to unfamiliar settings. Social life is important. Therefore, Ohio State is attractive because it has many social opportunities. Of course, not forgetting to mention the Saturday football games. Personally, I would rather travel greater distances on a campus to have more resources available academically and socially. At this point I would have to say bigger is better. Rebecca Sumen is a sophomore majoring in animal science from Aurora, Ohio.