Colby for Down-to-Earth Student

[Anonymous]

My daughter is thinking of applying ED to Colby College. She loved the campus and the tour. Fortunately, we won't need financial aid and are in what I understand is the normal income range for Colby students. However, we are not pretentious nor preppy. My daughter attended public school and has friends across economic ranges. I keep reading in this forum (paraphrasing) how Colby is the place for super rich, pretentious, preppy kids from private schools that didn't get into Bowdoin. We just did not get that at all from the tour. Does anyone have a student there now? Could it be that as Colby has gone up in the ranks that its attracting a different sort of student? My daughter is an all around nice girl that is looking for other friendly, non-status-conscious kids that are not party animals. She won't be flying across to Europe for Spring Break or taking out Daddy's yacht. Will she fit in?

[Anonymous]

The vibe I get about Colby is it’s for rich white kids. I wouldn’t send my Asian daughter there, even if she does have the stats.

[Anonymous]

We've toured twice and Colby was very high on one child's list. The student's we met and know are very down to earth. Sure, the vibe is preppy but not at all pretentious. The students seem genuinely happy and well-adjusted and I honestly, despite what some people would have you believe, I don't think there is a huge difference in the academic experience between Colby and Bowdoin.

[Anonymous]

I got the impression Colby is down to earth too. Bowdoin and Colby have a major rivalry and I think you probably got the negative stereotypes from a Bowdoin connection. Their student bodies are pretty similar.

[Anonymous]

I think all of the Maine schools are cool (no pun intended) and outdoorsy. You don't go to these schools to impress - Not that they are not good schools, it's just not where the snobs end up - too remote. My impression at least - I've known many awesome kids at Colby and Bowdoin - is rich yes, but snobs, no.

[Anonymous]

OPP: Thank you. That was my impression when we toured as well. Glad for the confirmation!

[Anonymous]

Colby legacy family member here. It’s not preppy - it’s basically LL Bean — kids need to wear parkas that may look preppy in the winter. And they aren’t necessarily grunge kids. It’s actually a very accepting and kind school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The vibe I get about Colby is it’s for rich white kids. I wouldn’t send my Asian daughter there, even if she does have the stats.

I know a young Asian woman who's a recent Colby grad. She loved it.