Anonymous wrote:What does your daughter enjoy doing when she’s not studying? The social culture is revolved around Greek life. There is nothing to do in Hamilton, NY.

No it isn't. There is a solid greek presence at Colgate but culture definitely doesn't revolve around it. However, it does improve the party scene and after the first hour or so pretty much everyone is welcome.

have a sophomore at Colgate and a senior at a T25 big 10 school. a few thoughts

1) Career services at colgate are outstanding. They take internships very seriously and almost all of my son's friends got great internships their SOPHOMORE year. Huge differentiator especially if you want to go into business. Alumni network is outstanding if you want to work in NY/DC/Boston.

2) Social scene is a bit interesting. about 50% of kids are greek which doesn't start until sophomore year (don't know why). however, few kids who want to be greek don't get it so it it much more inclusive than Greek life at an SEC or Big 10 school. Freshman year you have to know someone to get invited to parties, so kids who aren't from a top east coast private, prep school, or public school feeder can have a bit more time adjusting. Some kids aren't into the party scene are are ok with that.

3) Athletics are a big deal. about 20% of kids (including my son) are varsity athletes. Those in the priority sports (hockey, lax, basketball, football, soccer) can have a great social life and are invited to all parties even if they aren't greek.

4) Lots of undergrad research opportunities for the science folks and Colgate does a good job getting them research internships in the summer.

5) The weather is what it is. Classes end in early December and don't start until 3rd week of Jan so you are spared the worst of it.

6) location isn't that big of a deal. Admittedly, I have a student-athlete whose schedule is pretty well dictates by his coach. Even my Big 10 son doesn't leave a couple miles from campus that often.

Anonymous wrote:I am an alum who posted previously. It is no gripe to lay out the considerations and my previous experience.

The fact is that the school is isolated, especially coming from the DMV area. The winters are harsh. The social scene is limited.

And since most colleges have at least 90% retention, many higher than the 91% mentioned above, I would not put much into that. In fact, if 1 in 10 are leaving, that says something actually.

Actually very few colleges have a 91% retention/graduation rate. Those numbers only happen among the elite schools.

I am an alum who posted previously. It is no gripe to lay out the considerations and my previous experience.

The fact is that the school is isolated, especially coming from the DMV area. The winters are harsh. The social scene is limited.

And since most colleges have at least 90% retention, many higher than the 91% mentioned above, I would not put much into that. In fact, if 1 in 10 are leaving, that says something actually.

Anonymous wrote:Of the 7 or so who have gone the last few years, all have hated it and left, one after only one semester. I do not know the particulars but there seem to be a lot of unhappy DMV kids who can’t wait to leave.

Given their 91% retention/graduation rate it sounds more like a DMV problem than a Colgate issue. Maybe too many spoiled, entitled kids?

Anonymous wrote:This forum hates schools like Colgate, expensive schools in smaller towns.

Disagree. However, small schools in remote locations deserve greater scrutiny than large schools due to the severely limited options.

A few years ago, a mother on another popular college website shared her son's and then her daughter's journey through selecting among highly ranked SLACs. The boy ended up at Bowdoin and loved it, but socialized primarily with his fellow teammates; the girl enrolled at Colgate and soon regretted her decision due to the smallness,heavy drinking culture,and other issues.

FWIW Colgate is quite different than Bowdoin College. Although Colgate has a larger student body than does Bowdoin, Colgate has more pronounced issues associate with small schools regarding the high schoolish social structure.

Anonymous wrote:This forum hates schools like Colgate, expensive schools in smaller towns.

So true!!

This forum hates schools like Colgate, expensive schools in smaller towns.

Anonymous wrote:Colgate alum - couple things:

1. The increase in apps was in part what a lot of schools saw out of covid and test optional. They also started a praiseworthy program of financial aid, I think for families under $80k that got a lot of attention. The president of the school also lived in a dorm for a while and got a lot of media play. So that was part of the bump.

2. Re the school, it is a tranquil place with small classes and stone buildings, like an iconic SLAC. But it is also very isolated (1hr to Syracuse closest city) and the town is small. A few restaurants, a few delis or coffee places, a couple bars, grocery, hardware, pharmacy, etc.

Because of the remote location and lack of other things to do, greek life is a bigger deal. So think fraternity basements or maybe smaller house parties.

You are inside a lot - it is cold, dark, upstate New York winters are long and harsh. It is not like some parts of the midwest or Colorado where at least the sun is out.

I had some good professors and made lifelong friends, but honestly, knowing what I know now I would not have gone. The winters were not good for me. My kids go south or at least not too far northeast and it makes a huge difference in mood, social life, sports, fitness.

For female students, be sure to check out handling of alleged sexual assault cases at this school.

Colgate is a lot of hard work and fun for kids who are into bars and parties. Very typical college experience. They are a driven academic bunch. Lots from California, which strikes me as unusual and most from north east obviously. A rather consistent pipeline to NYC afterwards. If your DC is interested in ending up in NYC, the name will be known in those parts.

-This info from my niece who graduated in 2024.

Anonymous wrote:4 out of 5 dentists agree you will hear this joke the rest of your life.

Think this will die with Gen X?

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Colgate had a deep drop in application this year little over 17k for class of 2029 vs close to 21k for class of 2028? Any clarity from Colgate boosters or alumni Are these numbers correct?

And this year’s application pool is somewhat larger than last years.

Of the 7 or so who have gone the last few years, all have hated it and left, one after only one semester. I do not know the particulars but there seem to be a lot of unhappy DMV kids who can’t wait to leave.

I expect drinking at frat parties to be part of most colleges, but Colgate is a lot of weekday drinking in frat house basements.

Anonymous wrote:Many better options.

Not for your child.