batman628

i hear that it is....is it?

maroon52010

i know they have greek/frat life, so usually a party scene comes along with it. i visited a lot of places and spent the night at 4, and to be honest there was definitely a party scene at every school even if they weren't considered "a party school". i think at most colleges if you look for the party you will find it.

rhf

I don't know if it means anything, but Colgate was ranked by Princeton Review as having a particularly large problem with "hard liquor." Like most schools set in rural/small-town areas, though, there is little life outside of campus, so many kids turn to alcohol for entertainment. Any school like Colgate will probably have the same reputation, it's a pretty unavoidable trade off for a good northeastern liberal arts education.

cubbies12

Have a drink and chill out man

collegeparent

As with any campus anywhere in the US, if you're looking for a party, you'll find one. If not, you won't.

ticklemepink

You just have to know where to look. It's all about connections. Yes, people do get drunk and stuff but nothing too different from other schools. But the students are more responsible about drinking than say... those at state universities.

PKYanks211

As a parent I am thrilled to see my son go to Colgate, I would like to ask for those who have any answers, Does Colgate have a, "Jock-Preppy," mentality? Is there enough diversity on campus to find your niche?

Colgate13

Yes to both.

wjb

"Yes to both."

With the following caveat.....While a school the size of Colgate has a variety of sub-groups, in addition to the "Jock-Preppy" group, to settle comfortably into one of those subgroups your child must be someone who is comfortable being outside the mainstream.

PKYanks211

Thank you jb, is it ok to be outside of mainstream or are you ostracized because of it?

wjb

No, I don't think you'd be ostracized for being outside the mainstream. I've answered you in more detail in a PM.

anirudh_22

wjb... since many students are interested in this question it wd be helpful if u posted the detailed answer on the forum.. thnks

wjb

OK. I’m going to try to measure my words carefully, because I don’t want to disparage Colgate, which is a terrific school academically and a good fit for many.

I’m actually the mom of a former Colgate student. She transferred from Colgate to a mid-sized research U. after her first year. (She’s a sophomore now.) She transferred because she was uncomfortable with the prevalent campus culture. For her, the combination of rural isolation plus heavy Greek system plus strong emphasis on sports was not a good fit. Although she is NOT a non-drinker, she found the drinking excessive and the social scene monotonous and even depressing.

Now……..a school of 2700 is not a monolith. There are clearly many subcultures at Colgate, including an intellectual, serious-minded subculture and others. My daughter has a high school acquaintance there who is definitely outside the mainstream, and blissfully happy. (I think there’s another parent who posts on this board whose daughter is also a bit “off the beaten path” and very happy at Colgate. Maybe he’ll chime in.) But I think my daughter’s perception of the dominant culture at Colgate is probably dead on.

As long as you’re someone who is comfortable being outside the mainstream, you can find your niche at Colgate, and I am quite certain you will NOT be ostracized. My daughter enjoys being right smack dab in the middle of things, and she was definitely not in that spot at Colgate. So although she made some great friends there, and although the academics and advising system were truly excellent, she made the tough decision to transfer.

PKYanks211

To WJB, if you don't mind asking where did your daughter transfer to and is she happy? Does she regret transferring? So one can find there niche of no drinking, no frats, and still find friends?

wjb

"So one can find there niche of no drinking, no frats, and still find friends?"

Yes. Also, there is one sub-free dorm -- I believe it's East Hall.

My daughter transferred to WUSTL. She is extremely happy there.