existentialpony

So perhaps I am slightly neurotic, but after enthusiastically submitting my EDII application, my mind is running rampant.

I've been doing some reading online and I'm a little concerned. All I've heard about the academics is outstanding. The facilities and area? Aesthetically gorgeous, lovely if you like a rural area, which I absolutely do. However, I have two concerns.

I've met so many Colgate students online already who don't seem to fit the popped-collar, rich, dull and snooty stereotype, and yet every other college review seems to frown upon it as Colgate's one downfall. Is the social scene really suicidal if you're not "preppy?" I am personally moderately athletic, very quirky and somewhat nerdy. I'm very sociable so if there are awesome people there, I'll find them, I'm sure... but will these people be far and few between?

Secondly, what's up with drinking? I've heard a lot about the parties and frats, but I've also heard that in East Hall things aren't so bad and that you'll find a lot more down-to-earth people there. Personally, I don't drink so much. So any word on how things are with that? Is drinking a bit too heavy at Colgate or pretty much what you'd find at any rural & upperscale school?

Thanks!

wjb

EP -- I PM'ed you.

existentialpony

Thanks for the reply, wbj! Although I have another question for anyone-- I plan on applying for healthy living at East Hall and I've heard it's a completely different atmosphere-- cleaner, more friendly people, obviously less drinking and a tad quieter. Is this true?

ahtsisab

I live in East.. its great... nice ppl.. fun atmosphere.... and in any case if u want to drink or party....u can always go to other dorms .... and u can always and retort to ur dorm when u feel like studying....East is definitely cleaner and silent than other dorms

Colgate13

As someone who is probably a not as preppy version of the stereotypical Colgate student, I'll offer my view as it is a different one that the above poster.

Based on how you described yourself, you'll fit in. There are people like spread throughout the college. They may be a minority, but there are more than enough of them. Unless you need 100 friends who are exactly like you, you should be fine. I also think that the college is trying to get away from the current stereotypical Colgate student for better or worse, but that's another story.

Drinking at Colgate is on pair with its peer colleges. The majority of people do, but you can find people don't. All of the people that I've met who don't drink do still hang out with the people that do. There are other thing to do too.

I have had no problem with noise in my dorm. It's louder in all the dorms Friday and Saturday nights, but other nights its pretty quiet with the possible exception of some Wednesdays. I do most of my work in my room and rarely leave to study (I have 4 other roommates by the way). Part of the college experience is learning how to live with other people. You can't be bullheaded and expect everyone to get quiet became you want to go to bed at 10 on a Friday.

If you have anyother questions, feel free to PM me.

mhc48

Yeah, there are people prepped out at Colgate but FWIW, my D (a freshman also from L.I.) is definitely not preppy (either in dress or attitude) and she is very happy at school.

Moderately athletic is a good description of her too. She joined and plays on a club team (in a sport she'd never played before college) for fun and keeping in shape.

I'd say that her room mates are preppy and two play on varsity teams. They couldn't be more different from her but although they are not her closest friends there, they all get along fine. She probably hangs out far more though with some other close friends from her dorm and the girls on her club team.

Of course there's gonna be kids drinking and I know she does too, but I don't think it's different from any other comparable school. She's in a quad room in a dorm not known for being either quiet or sub free but she gets her work done and in fact did quite well first semester.

Last year I was concerned for her about all of the same things you are (it was a choice between Colgate and Oberlin!) but she is very happy with her choice.

Have you gone up for a visit? It was her visit in April that sold her.