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Date Posted: 08/13/15 6:22:29pm Thu
Author: gate
Subject: Re: college life at Colgate
In reply to: Fordham alum 's message, "college life at Colgate" on 08/13/15 3:57:57pm Thu

Enough with the "January visit" propaganda. Last time I checked, Boston was still melting in May. Anyone who understands geography knows that all 4 seasons at Colgate are beautiful but that winter has a stronghold. I'd guess that more than 2/3 of all applicants never visited campus...and lo and behold, they didn't transfer. Alumni know the true benefits of a Colgate degree despite the prolonged winter or the pastoral campus. Colgate does not hide these facts but embraces them. Prospective students are not ignorant and must embrace them, too.

What is it about Colgate, exactly, that appeals to your daughter? I would be interested to know which other schools she is considering. The D-I sports and larger student body make it noticeably different from NESCAC schools, very comparable to Patriot League schools (Lafayette, Bucknell, Holy Cross), but smaller and less selective than the Ivies.

My degree from Colgate impressed at every job interview; the alumni network is the most dedicated, respected, and well-renown anywhere.

As you have mentioned, there is a true sense of community at Colgate. It is even mentioned in the supplement to the application. Students are encouraged to contribute to the community in any way, shape or form. Here is a link for you:

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mhj45mdme/11-hamilton-ny/
(click on the double arrows on slide for info)

And some additional information; some compare Colgate to other Liberal Arts Colleges, others (Payscale, Brookings, Princeton Review) compare Colgate to all National Colleges and Universities. I do have links for each article.

#10 for Most Income Earned by Graduates (Money Magazine)
#6 best Liberal Arts School for an Education (Money)
#4 Best College for Highest Paid Grads (Money)
#1 Most Beautiful College Campus (PR - Princeton Review)
#10 Best College Library (PR)
#11 Best Financial Aid (PR)
#36 Top Green Colleges (PR)
#7 Happiest Students (Unigo)
#2 "Value Added" (Brookings Institute)
#12 College Salary Report by Earnings (Payscale)

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Replies:

[> Re: college life at Colgate -- Fordham Alum, 08/13/15 10:19:25pm Thu

Thanks very much!

My daughter wants to make a career in education with a focus in Math -- on our visit, we met with the head of the education department and what really appeals to me is a New York State teaching certification at the end of the process. Curiously, it's the only program at Colgate to offer a Master's (10 students last year).

We also visited Hamilton College since we were in the area and we both felt it was a little "loose" there - coed bathrooms, no core curriculum -- things that matter to me as a parent. It's a nice campus, but we felt much more comfortable at Colgate.

What I've heard about Colgate was that it's "preppy" and a school for "rich kids". Not coming from a school with any Greek life, that worries me a bit. They said the university controls those houses and the Greek life is emphasizes for ways it adds to the community; in other words, it's more than just a place to party.

My daughter is a bit on the shy side and I thought the campus was very manageable and would be the perfect size for her - not too big and not too small.

The tour guides also seemed pretty diverse in all ways, a very appealing thing.
She's seen Fordham already since I went there but I'd like her to do something different. We're going to look at Holy Cross, some Boston area schools, maybe William & Mary as well. I could tell she felt very comfortable with Colgate, and I would be thrilled and beyond proud if she was accepted there.

I hope that with its location the school would be a friendly community with no one feeling "excluded," lots of opportunities to meet friends, etc.

Anyway, enough from me - I'd welcome any and all thoughts. Again, I loved it.


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[> [> Re: college life at Colgate -- 60'salum, 08/14/15 9:32:52am Fri

Just my 2 cents for what it's worth. Obviously Fordham is a city school and Colgate is very rural. Some students dislike this isolation, but others thrive and find it much easier to devote time to their academic pursuits without the distractions. As others have said, the winters at Colgate can be long and cold, but the beauty of the campus at that time of year comes close to matching the other three seasons. Fall on campus is especially great, and with a Div-I football program, weekends take on a celebratory atmosphere. Athletics are a big part of life on campus but not the sole focus by any means. There are interest groups for everyone's taste and always something to do. Just look at the Colgate calendar on-line for details.

Greek life has tamed down in recent years, and certainly from my day. There are enough other groups to join that the Greek system does not overpower the student body. You mentioned your daughter was "comfortable" during her visit. This may be the #1 thing that caused me to chose Colgate. After interviewing - (yes, we had to have interviews back in the day) - at four other northeastern colleges on a par with Colgate academically, there was no question where I was going attend. The comfort level was so great -- there was no question that Colgate would be my first choice.

I've not talked about the academic and living sides of this equation as others have already done so. But suffice to say Colgate's reputation is solid on all departments as pointed out by previous posters.

Let us know how your search goes, and if we can answer any further questions.


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