College Class Size

Our high school started offering online course a few years back.  If your kid is disciplined, it is a reasonable choice for subjects that are somewhat basic stuff - thinking music appreciation and the like.  As for class size, it probably depends more on the kid than anything else.  If they are independent and motivated, then the 1,000+ auditorium classes for the 101/102 should not be a problem.  If they need some closer supervision and start out taking some tougher classes, than the smaller class size can be a benefit.  I think the overall student population may be a bigger issue than class size as kids can have a hard time finding their way in what is a small city versus a small town.  I hear baseball players have a tendency to hand out with one another so the kid's comfort level with the team, and how they fit on the team, may also play a role.

Son's first year in college last year and took some online classes. He felt they actually required more work than his traditional classes.  Have to be very organized to keep on top of all the deadlines. 

I cant comment on the other part as my son went to DBU from a 6A school so undergraduates at DBU are less in number than his HS. 

Toured some big schools this summer.  Not many will have a class size of 1000.  Largest we heard was capped at 750, even though the room would hold more.  (as if it matters, still farging big). 

So here's the thing, as someone who went thru the big school.  In a big school you can "disappear."  Big classes, I would sit in the back and sleep, daydream and otherwise be distracted.  Lucky for me it was mostly review as I had much of the material in high school.  It worked for me.  But I just got thru, kind of going with the flow.  Didn't really excel.  Didn't know any of my professors, etc.  As I look back trying to guide my kid, it was just too big.  These days they have all sorts of resources -- free tutoring, guidance counselors, etc.  But you need to be motivated to seek them out.  I don't think my kid will do that -- he doesn't even do it in high school. 

We toured a small school.  Had a one on one meeting with admissions for an hour.  Really digging into the kid's interests, etc.  Real personal attention.  Mom fell in love with the place. 

Can't tell you much about online.  We where still programing in Fortran. 

I teach at a light blue Acc school, and at least in the sciences, there are few if any classes over 400 students. Other than the logistics of test taking and such (a faculty concern), IMO there isn't much of a difference above 200 students. At 50 I'll know most students by the end of term, at 200 i know few names and I'll recognize plenty of faces. I can't imagine knowing even many faces at 400 or above. 

The key to assessing how these class sizes will be "experienced" by the individual student is how or whether they break out into smaller groups (recitations). My school can't fund them, but others are very good at breaking this down for students.

Just my thoughts... Good luck in your search!

My 2017 has been in dual enrollment classes for the past 2 years, and has taken several that were taught online.

For the most part he liked them because he could schedule his school work around his life schedule instead of his life around his school schedule.

He's going to be attending a private school, and one of their selling points was the fact that they don't even have a facility (other than the on campus arena) that would be big enough to have a class of 200-300 students.

Just to add to light blue ACC.....and for those contemplating the JUCO route.....I teach at a large JUCO.......our classes are capped at 30, I know all of my students by name, what their interests are, those who play our various sports offerings, etc...., they can receive one on one assistance from me and ALL of their instruction comes from me and not a GTA.   In my opinion this is a great route for those kids who are on the fence of the big schools and may not be 100% academically ready for the 4 year route.   

"The key to assessing how these class sizes will be "experienced" by the individual student is how or whether they break out into smaller groups (recitations). My school can't fund them, but others are very good at breaking this down for stu"

At the school my son attended they had classes that were 4 units. They received four units because they attended their large class then a smaller one broken down with aT A the professors taught the lecture halls and were also excellent with meeting the students in person. 

In the small class they had more group discussion and further analysis of the content given by the professor. 

As a parent I liked that for the bigger GE classes. Once in his major classss were smaller. 

I was very impressed with many of my sons professors and their concern and help offered when needed. 

a few last comments from the faculty perspective.

Students can ALWAYS get help no matter where they go to school. In a largish state school like my own, those students will have to work a little at getting that help, but it is always available. My colleagues who teach at smaller elite schools tell me that it is expected that they get to know their students individually, and because of the small sizes they do. In fact, it isn't uncommon for little johnny to get a text from his prof saying "how come your not in class", it started 15 minutes ago.   Little too close for my comfort, but heh...

and finally, different learning styles and personalities adapt differently to the different environments. Some students love the anonymity of a big school, where they can just show up, do the work and not be bothered by a structure aimed at helping them through the system. In others that freedom, or lack of structure (depending on your perspective), works against them if they don't have the organizational skills or focus to do what needs doing. In these cases, the smaller private school model is probably best. Different strokes for different folks...

Hope this helps... 

So far my 2019 hasn't shown a maturity to where he could sit in a big class with no supervision and do well. The thought of that literally scares the crap out of me. I know most baseball programs stay on top of their players grades wise and often have mandatory study halls. The online classes are what seems interesting to me when they're traveling so much during the season. Do most major D1 programs going to online classes during the season?

I would say majority of son's teammates were taking online courses especially the freshman and sophomore classes. So far it appears the upper level courses have fewer online.  A few seniors had some night classes on Monday and Wednesday