Honest Assessment of Colby

[Anonymous]

My DD applied to Colby only because it had no application fee or supplemental essays. Turns out, it's the highest ranked school she has gotten into (we had no idea it was 15th in liberal arts schools) and she is now seriously considering the possibility of going there. My husband and I both went to big state schools in the Midwest. We have not spent much time in the Northeast and know almost nothing about the LACs in the area. What is Colby like for an outgoing, social teenager? Are the academics challenging? What about job placements? The latter is important to us because we have spent decades saving for our DD's college. We make too much to receive financial aid but are not wealthy enough to not feel the pinch of paying full tuition. Do Colby graduates get into good graduate schools (DD is interested in business or law school).

Thanks for your insights.

[Anonymous]

8% acceptance this year so she must be a great student! My daughter and I loved Colby. Very sporty, outdoorsy, prep-school vibe. Lovely campus, cute downtown that appears to be on the rise (look up Colby’s investment in downtown Waterville), amazing new sports facility. Maine is a special place and it gets into people’s souls. I don’t know anyone who’s spent significant time there who doesn’t hold it close to their heart.

[Anonymous]

Among our nieces and nephews, we happen to have two recent Colby alums. Both attended private day schools in the DMV, both are sociable (thought not partiers), and both loved Colby. Both are now in highly selective grad programs -- one in law school and the other in an MPH program. Also, they both love Maine -- so much so that they would happily return to live there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8% acceptance this year so she must be a great student! My daughter and I loved Colby. Very sporty, outdoorsy, prep-school vibe. Lovely campus, cute downtown that appears to be on the rise (look up Colby’s investment in downtown Waterville), amazing new sports facility. Maine is a special place and it gets into people’s souls. I don’t know anyone who’s spent significant time there who doesn’t hold it close to their heart.

I agree with all of this, but do think it depends in part on one's tolerance for NE winters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Among our nieces and nephews, we happen to have two recent Colby alums. Both attended private day schools in the DMV, both are sociable (thought not partiers), and both loved Colby. Both are now in highly selective grad programs -- one in law school and the other in an MPH program. Also, they both love Maine -- so much so that they would happily return to live there.

Selective MPH? No such thing. Those are the pay to play money makers in the public health world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD applied to Colby only because it had no application fee or supplemental essays. Turns out, it's the highest ranked school she has gotten into (we had no idea it was 15th in liberal arts schools) and she is now seriously considering the possibility of going there. My husband and I both went to big state schools in the Midwest. We have not spent much time in the Northeast and know almost nothing about the LACs in the area. What is Colby like for an outgoing, social teenager? Are the academics challenging? What about job placements? The latter is important to us because we have spent decades saving for our DD's college. We make too much to receive financial aid but are not wealthy enough to not feel the pinch of paying full tuition. Do Colby graduates get into good graduate schools (DD is interested in business or law school).

Thanks for your insights.

My Junior DC is interested in Colby. Based on our research, it is a great school and students are friendly. Can you share your DD's (approximate) GPA and SAT/ACT? Also, at what income you will not receive FA at Colby? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It’s kind of cheesy- sorry could resist.

[Anonymous]

We visited. Had a slight preference for Bowdoin, but I can't tell you why.

We love Maine. The winter is long, cold and dark though.

Colby has a very good reputation and my friend (who went there) is still a huge fan, and has done well for herself professionally.

What sticks out in my mind about them, is that they separated parents and kids on the campus tour. It was the only school (of more than 20 we visited) that did that. I thought it was innovative .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8% acceptance this year so she must be a great student! My daughter and I loved Colby. Very sporty, outdoorsy, prep-school vibe. Lovely campus, cute downtown that appears to be on the rise (look up Colby’s investment in downtown Waterville), amazing new sports facility. Maine is a special place and it gets into people’s souls. I don’t know anyone who’s spent significant time there who doesn’t hold it close to their heart.

selectivity figures don’t mean all that much anymore since private schools throw money at marketeers who say and do anything to get students to apply in order to turn them down. That makes the selectivity percentage drop, which is then reported to USN&WR

[Anonymous]

Colby is an excellent school. I went to a different NESCAC but have friends who went to Colby. If she likes the vibe you can’t go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Maine mom here. It’s a lovely campus, maybe not quite as picturesque as Bowdoin or Bates but well resourced. It’s in the town of Waterville which is a little bit out there, you have to drive a ways to get to the coast or to Portland. Very strong alumni networks at least in Maine (of course), I expect that’s probably true in New England. Everybody I know who went or has kids who have gone have had great things to say about it.

[Anonymous]

I think it's about the vibe of the school and if your DC likes it. The acceptance rate (and therefore the ranking) is a bit deceptive because they get so many applicants since there's no fee, no supplements, and if I recall correctly, test optional.

It's also in Maine where the winter will be long which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on interests of the student (e.g. skiers would love it).

My DC also got in there and was interested in attending because of the rank/acceptance rate but when it came to decision making, some of the factors I mentioned led the DC to somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8% acceptance this year so she must be a great student! My daughter and I loved Colby. Very sporty, outdoorsy, prep-school vibe. Lovely campus, cute downtown that appears to be on the rise (look up Colby’s investment in downtown Waterville), amazing new sports facility. Maine is a special place and it gets into people’s souls. I don’t know anyone who’s spent significant time there who doesn’t hold it close to their heart.

selectivity figures don’t mean all that much anymore since private schools throw money at marketeers who say and do anything to get students to apply in order to turn them down. That makes the selectivity percentage drop, which is then reported to USN&WR

Name a school with a less than 10% acceptance rate that isn’t excellent. I’ll wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's about the vibe of the school and if your DC likes it. The acceptance rate (and therefore the ranking) is a bit deceptive because they get so many applicants since there's no fee, no supplements, and if I recall correctly, test optional.

It's also in Maine where the winter will be long which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on interests of the student (e.g. skiers would love it).

My DC also got in there and was interested in attending because of the rank/acceptance rate but when it came to decision making, some of the factors I mentioned led the DC to somewhere else.

So funny how people just repeat untrue things. Acceptance rate isn’t a ranking factor.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Colby grad and had a wonderful experience there both academically and socially. The kids are smart and study hard, but also play a lot of sports, are politically involved, and enjoy the outdoors (winter sports are big). It can be a party school for those that want it, but there are plenty of other things to do if that's not your thing. Many of my classmates went on to top law schools, med schools, business schools, Wall Street, Capitol Hill etc.