purpleocean

I am a senior, thinking about applying to Colby in the fall. Everything I've read about Colby sounds great, I just have a couple questions.

1) I know that Colby has a huge drinking scene, but is it avoidable at all? I don't drink, and don't really plan on it in college. I'm open to attending parties and just not drinking, but I'm wondering if just doesn't happen, period. I'm sure there will be a few other people there who don't drink, but I have a feeling that I'd definitely be in the minority...

2) Is Colby super competitive? I've heard this from a few people, and am wondering if there actually is truth to it (it seemed surprising to me). Maybe students are competitive but more with themselves and less cut-throat with each other?

3) The winters...lol. What's the coldest it's ever been when you guys have been there? Is the campus so spread out that it's a pain to walk from one place to the other? I'm from NE, but am just not used to walking much from place to place in the winters.

4) How are the research opportunities for undergrads? I've visited schools that have talked this area up...something that I don't remember hearing lots about from Colby.

Thanks for any input

mountains

1) Colby has around 25% of its dorms designated as "chem-free" and there is no stigma whatsoever. You can easily avoid the drinking scene and still have a lot of fun.

2) Based on S' observations, students tend to compete with themselves. My S had a lot of study groups and they helped each other.

3) Waterville can get very cold. When it's freezing, those buildings seem farther. Here's a link to the weather history in Waterville.

Average High/Low Temperatures for KWVL : Weather Underground

4) Sorry, no info on this one.

LikeALeon

I went on the Colby tour during July and to answer your fourth question, it seemed like there are many opportunities for students to do research with teachers, particularly during Colby's short winter term.

mountains

I just found out from my S that one of his friends did research work for a prof this summer on campus. Friend is a rising soph.