macnyc

I know that Colgate is an excellent school academically, but I heard that most of the kids are rich, drive expensive cars, and buy their clothes at J. Crew. Is that a ridiculous oversimplification? Does diversity exist at Colgate? Could someone who doesn't conform to that image be happy at Colgate?

stonecold23

alot of people are rich, but personally, im not rich or preppy. I drive a used car, and plan to blast rap music with the windows down all around campus... the description of prepiness can be said at any liberal arts college, or most private colleges.

im an incoming freshmen so i cant give you the best answer, but wen i went for april visit days the person/group of his friends I stayed were all "non-comformers" to this image, and they in fact made fun of the people who pop their collars and wear pink polo shirts...

weekes915

I recently returned from a Wilderness Adventure trip and I inquired the same thing of my leaders. They said while they'd definetly seen double popped collars (with a blazer on top!) it wasn't too hard to find any kind of people one would want to associate with.

ticklemepink

Yeah, definitely J Crew. Now that store seems to have lost its appeal to me (okay except for those cable sweaters...).

But no fancy cars. I've only seen 2 BMWs (I know the owner of the SUV- very spoiled bar w****). One Audi. Everyone else has some kind of domestic/Japanese SUV or safe used cars (as it snows here a LOT).

No one really flaunts their wealth except for a couple of annoying jerks.

I don't quite conform to the look- I came what I already owned/wore (jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts). Polo shirts look awful on me! In fact, went shopping at Express today for a change *winks*

Don't believe in everything people say, it's really the new kids who haven't figured out that no one gives a ***** about fancy labels in college.

GateNY09

Although I think Colgate definitely has its non conformers here and there, there are certain stereotypes that are true. Although many people dress well [guys and girls alike] I don't really believe that the stereotypes which are attached to their dress are always true. Last year, J.Crew made a pair of Madras Shorts titlted "The Colgate" and it is often rumored that the on campus post office has one room dedicated to Polo and J.Crew. Also, the school was one of the firsts to recieve a custom line from Vineyard Vines. Like I said, it isn't necessarily a bad thing and people don't flaunt it.

gellino

I did see that J. Crew had a pair of shorts called "Colgate" and figured it was a coincidence until they had another similar pair called "Dartmouth".

smatz1

I know a cuople students and from what i hear the wealth and preppiness of students is pretty extreme. Ive heard storries of kids arguing over whos family is richer and such.

gellino

From what I have seen of students, I don't think the socio-economic environment at Colgate is much different than it is at Dartmouth, Williams, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Hamilton, Colby, Bucknell, Lafayette.

ticklemepink

Unfortunately.... nope

GateNY09

I have to agree with TickleMe on this one...Colgate is some what similar socio-economically to some of those schools, but it is important to note that because the school is not 100% need blind, it is impossible for us to match Middlebury, Williams, and Dartmouth in their ability to offer generous aid to anyone who demonstrates need.

That said, although the school is very preppy, I am not sure that every stereotype attached to that image is fair to apply to Colgate. I think individual style is respected and definitely accepted - people may dress preppy, but you don't need to do the same to come to Colgate.