What can you tell me about Colgate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you won’t qualify for financial aid, are you are looking for info on the likelihood of her getting an athletic scholarship to Colgate?

Yes, as to athletic. But also any information on "scholarships and grants" as some of the boards amorphously note. That's not "merit" but what we're finding is that merit is sometimes couched as other things. For example, if kids are admitted to honors colleges at some schools, or certain programs, they receive scholarships. Those are not included as "merit aid."

I'm also just wondering what the campus, school, experience is like. We hope to visit but it would be in the summer so I don't think we'd get the full feel.

Academics are excellent, easy to make connections with teachers, preppy, athletic vibe, frats dominate social scene but plenty aren’t in frats and the school makes a big effort to provide alternatives. Lots of clubs and excellent career center.

BTW - there are several people on here who hate Colgate and Greek life in general and I’m sure they will make an appearance on this thread.

I hate Greek life with a passion. I like Colgate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great school if it is a good fit. Based on friends who went there and our visit (obviously we like the school, not haters, as we put it on the list), it is best for kids who are OK with continuing that high school it-crowd social vibe. That's the best I can describe the sense of it. If your kid was easily a part of that and loved it, great fit. They will be the happy grads PP describes.

If your kid was outside of that, or is "over it" and looking for different social interactions, then you might want to pass. As a PP noted, they make an effort to provide an alternative social life for kids not into the (expensive) preppy/athletic/Greek scene, but it is an effort. DC, though an athlete, is one of those kids and opted for a school where life a social life would be more effortless and less of a curated "alternative" to what everyone else is doing. Great school, just not a great for DC. Loved the tour, clicked with the guide, but the answers to DC's questions just showed up the parts that were not going to work out for this kid (a sense echoed and confirmed by friends who are there).

It also was one of the least diverse schools we looked at, so if that is important to your child, they are aware of it and trying (one admission essay is even about that); seem to have made strides since we looked. This article describes the intersection of these issues. https://thecolgatemaroonnews.com/27864/news/27864/

This is an accurate assessment.

Read & reread the first paragraph. Colgate "is best for kids who are OK with continuing that high school it-crowd social vibe." Great for high school athletes who wish to continue being the big man on campus. Tough social scene for non-athletes, non-preppy conformist types.

Academics are strong. Career placement is very good.

Lots of drinking--but this is common at small, isolated schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended Colgate and would not use “hate” but rather just be aware of the pros and cons.

Pros include pretty campus, quiet setting, small classes and very good athletic facilities for a school of that size.

Cons include heavy Greek life, very small town without much to do besides drink, and an isolated setting with Syracuse the closest large city an hour away. And of course long cold winters.

Visiting in summer will not give much insight, so revisit if you’re serious. We know a few students who visited in winter and that helped them decide to go elsewhere.

Again no hate, just a judgment of fit for your student and some items to be aware of.

Excellent post. Fair observations.

[Anonymous]

I would also add as a hiring manager that due to some of the factors laid out above it may present a bit of a hurdle to overcome during an interview. Program managers are very wary now of any graduates of the frat bro/lacrosse/field hockey ilk from a non-diverse background. It is just not where the work world is headed. And there are plenty of smart, educated individuals to fill the breach. Some of our most successful recent young hires have been from large state schools, generally, but not always flagships. And, I say this as someone who went to a preppy LAC myself. I will say that across the years our most successful employees have completely ranged across the types of schools with some of the best from schools that DCUM isn’t fond of. So, from my multi-year perspective and due to my own background I’m not encouraging what I stated above, just noting it exists in those influencing and/or effectively deciding who gets hired. And, I’m not going to say what industry since I don’t want to inadvertently “out” myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also add as a hiring manager that due to some of the factors laid out above it may present a bit of a hurdle to overcome during an interview. Program managers are very wary now of any graduates of the frat bro/lacrosse/field hockey ilk from a non-diverse background. It is just not where the work world is headed. And there are plenty of smart, educated individuals to fill the breach. Some of our most successful recent young hires have been from large state schools, generally, but not always flagships. And, I say this as someone who went to a preppy LAC myself. I will say that across the years our most successful employees have completely ranged across the types of schools with some of the best from schools that DCUM isn’t fond of. So, from my multi-year perspective and due to my own background I’m not encouraging what I stated above, just noting it exists in those influencing and/or effectively deciding who gets hired. And, I’m not going to say what industry since I don’t want to inadvertently “out” myself.

Very interesting post.

Could you name a few schools "that DCUM isn't fond of" ? Curious because I do not understand whether these are small schools or large universities or ? Is the University of Virginia one such school ?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended Colgate and would not use “hate” but rather just be aware of the pros and cons.

Pros include pretty campus, quiet setting, small classes and very good athletic facilities for a school of that size.

Cons include heavy Greek life, very small town without much to do besides drink, and an isolated setting with Syracuse the closest large city an hour away. And of course long cold winters.

Visiting in summer will not give much insight, so revisit if you’re serious. We know a few students who visited in winter and that helped them decide to go elsewhere.

Again no hate, just a judgment of fit for your student and some items to be aware of.

I’m also a Colgate grad. I had a tough time with the weather my first year. I learned to accept it but it can be pretty cold and snowy.

Professors were great. I was not an athlete so I can’t comment.

I was not a fan of Greek life and made it through just fine. Fraternities were a bigger deal than sororities. There are very few, if any, times when all fraternities and sororities are doing something all at once.

It is isolated. If your child wants the college experience, this is it. You get to know other students very well. There is little to do off campus.

The reputation is very good and people know if you graduated from there, you are pretty well educated. I would say there is little grade inflation and classes (depending on major) are rigorous. Very few easy As available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colgate vs Lehigh vs bucknell?

Colgate by far.

I say that as someone encouraging my kid to look at Lehigh and Bucknell because she likely won’t get into Colgate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also add as a hiring manager that due to some of the factors laid out above it may present a bit of a hurdle to overcome during an interview. Program managers are very wary now of any graduates of the frat bro/lacrosse/field hockey ilk from a non-diverse background. It is just not where the work world is headed. And there are plenty of smart, educated individuals to fill the breach. Some of our most successful recent young hires have been from large state schools, generally, but not always flagships. And, I say this as someone who went to a preppy LAC myself. I will say that across the years our most successful employees have completely ranged across the types of schools with some of the best from schools that DCUM isn’t fond of. So, from my multi-year perspective and due to my own background I’m not encouraging what I stated above, just noting it exists in those influencing and/or effectively deciding who gets hired. And, I’m not going to say what industry since I don’t want to inadvertently “out” myself.

I haven’t seen that at all. Like, if anything the frat bros are doing better not worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you won’t qualify for financial aid, are you are looking for info on the likelihood of her getting an athletic scholarship to Colgate?

Yes, as to athletic. But also any information on "scholarships and grants" as some of the boards amorphously note. That's not "merit" but what we're finding is that merit is sometimes couched as other things. For example, if kids are admitted to honors colleges at some schools, or certain programs, they receive scholarships. Those are not included as "merit aid."

I'm also just wondering what the campus, school, experience is like. We hope to visit but it would be in the summer so I don't think we'd get the full feel.

You are overthinking (wishfully). Scholarships and grants = financial aid

If you don’t qualify and there is no merit, you won’t get any aid unless she gets an athletic scholarship

I
Do you know this to be the case for Colgate or are you just guessing? Because this is not how it is everywhere.

I have a HS senior. We don’t qualify for financial aid. He got merit at schools that offer it, and at one school that had said they didn’t offer it (but changed their policy this year). But there are lots of schools (often the most competitive ones) that offer need based aid (“scholarships”) only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've read the Boards and visited the website. Looking for real life experiences. DD is an athlete (and making a try for the sport, and Colgate has it). DD is not in the college app demographic yet (will take SAT this fall). Has all As in Honors classes but will likely get the first B this year (in an AP class). She is sporty, not into partying (at least not yet), studious, and would prefer a more rural/remote area.

Also looking into views on scholarships or aid. We will not qualify for financial aid. I read there is not a lot of merit aid, if any, at Colgate. But then some sites say that about half of the student body gets "scholarships" or grants. So trying to decide if we can keep this on the table or not. While we can full pay at a lot of places, $80K/year is not something we can do. Thanks.

Fill out the net price calculator on the website. That will give you some idea of whether or not you will qualify for financial aid. Colgate, like a lot of other privates below the Ivies and top tech schools, has a pretty stratified student body that leans very wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you won’t qualify for financial aid, are you are looking for info on the likelihood of her getting an athletic scholarship to Colgate?

Yes, as to athletic. But also any information on "scholarships and grants" as some of the boards amorphously note. That's not "merit" but what we're finding is that merit is sometimes couched as other things. For example, if kids are admitted to honors colleges at some schools, or certain programs, they receive scholarships. Those are not included as "merit aid."

I'm also just wondering what the campus, school, experience is like. We hope to visit but it would be in the summer so I don't think we'd get the full feel.

You are overthinking (wishfully). Scholarships and grants = financial aid

If you don’t qualify and there is no merit, you won’t get any aid unless she gets an athletic scholarship

I
Do you know this to be the case for Colgate or are you just guessing? Because this is not how it is everywhere.

I have a HS senior. We don’t qualify for financial aid. He got merit at schools that offer it, and at one school that had said they didn’t offer it (but changed their policy this year). But there are lots of schools (often the most competitive ones) that offer need based aid (“scholarships”) only.

Would you mind sharing the name of the school that now offers merit?

[Anonymous]

Colgate alum here.

Excellent academics and great professors. Very good foreign study options.

Very heavy Bruh culture, drinking, drugs, and persistent issues with the treatment of women.

A friend's daughter wanted to apply and networked in to existing students. She was asked online by an existing student for racier pictures.

I am also aware that they turned down an endowed scholarship because it didn't fit the image they wanted.

It's turned into a place very focused on the appearance of prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great school if it is a good fit. Based on friends who went there and our visit (obviously we like the school, not haters, as we put it on the list), it is best for kids who are OK with continuing that high school it-crowd social vibe. That's the best I can describe the sense of it. If your kid was easily a part of that and loved it, great fit. They will be the happy grads PP describes.

If your kid was outside of that, or is "over it" and looking for different social interactions, then you might want to pass. As a PP noted, they make an effort to provide an alternative social life for kids not into the (expensive) preppy/athletic/Greek scene, but it is an effort. DC, though an athlete, is one of those kids and opted for a school where life a social life would be more effortless and less of a curated "alternative" to what everyone else is doing. Great school, just not a great for DC. Loved the tour, clicked with the guide, but the answers to DC's questions just showed up the parts that were not going to work out for this kid (a sense echoed and confirmed by friends who are there).

It also was one of the least diverse schools we looked at, so if that is important to your child, they are aware of it and trying (one admission essay is even about that); seem to have made strides since we looked. This article describes the intersection of these issues. https://thecolgatemaroonnews.com/27864/news/27864/

This is an accurate assessment.

Read & reread the first paragraph. Colgate "is best for kids who are OK with continuing that high school it-crowd social vibe." Great for high school athletes who wish to continue being the big man on campus. Tough social scene for non-athletes, non-preppy conformist types.

Academics are strong. Career placement is very good.

Lots of drinking--but this is common at small, isolated schools.

Totally agree. I’m 15 years out — but this was spot on for my experience. Although, as I’m sure with all schools, there is a crowd out there for everyone. It is just harder to find people who don’t fit this mold at Colgate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also add as a hiring manager that due to some of the factors laid out above it may present a bit of a hurdle to overcome during an interview. Program managers are very wary now of any graduates of the frat bro/lacrosse/field hockey ilk from a non-diverse background. It is just not where the work world is headed. And there are plenty of smart, educated individuals to fill the breach. Some of our most successful recent young hires have been from large state schools, generally, but not always flagships. And, I say this as someone who went to a preppy LAC myself. I will say that across the years our most successful employees have completely ranged across the types of schools with some of the best from schools that DCUM isn’t fond of. So, from my multi-year perspective and due to my own background I’m not encouraging what I stated above, just noting it exists in those influencing and/or effectively deciding who gets hired. And, I’m not going to say what industry since I don’t want to inadvertently “out” myself.

I haven’t seen that at all. Like, if anything the frat bros are doing better not worse.

np. I could see that if they played a sport in college and had at least some mild success in it. That kind of experience is valued in some sectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colgate vs Lehigh vs bucknell?

Colgate by far.

I say that as someone encouraging my kid to look at Lehigh and Bucknell because she likely won’t get into Colgate.

Colgate does not have much in common with either one of those schools. Bucknell is for rich kids who can't get into the top schools. Colgate is extremely academic and rigorous.