lyjoo0119

I got accepted to both Bates and Colgate and I'm gonna have to choose. Which one would everyone go?

lyjoo0119

Oh and I'm slightly worried about people saying that Colgate has a very cliquey atmosphere and since it's mostly composed of WASPs minorities would find themselves hard to fit in. Is this true?

nidachti

Bates is smaller and more intimate-- also less preppy. Colgate is more athletic what with the D1 sports scene and has more academic offerings. I also think Bates is politically more left leaning. You should try to visit and go with the place you like better. They are both great schools. You can't go wrong with either.

gellino

I would generally agree with nidachti's assessment. I don't know if Colgate is really any more composed of WASPs than Bates. While the student body at Colgate is 75% white, it is actually 82% at Bates. I would also guess that Colgate has a higher Jewish % than Bates.

lyjoo0119

OK, I made up this Colgate pros and cons list. Anybody wants to add?

Colgate

Pros
-gorgeous campus
-strong academics
-great profs
-great financial aid package
-Division I sports
-great study abroad program

Cons
-big frat scene
-heavy drinking
-preppy atmosphere
-white, rich community

gellino

At this point, less than 50% of students join a fraternity. Bates is even more white than Colgate if that bothers you. I don't necessarily think Colgate students are any more wealthy.

lyjoo0119

Thanks for your info, gellino. I'm leaning towards Colgate

ticklemepink

Another thing to add for pro:

Colgate students do NOT flaunt their wealthy- it's a taboo and a major turn off. We seriously talk behind their backs- those who do- about how annoying they are!

True that there is a fair amount of Jews on campus- around 400 this year but less than 100 actually get involved in one way or another throughout the year. But if you're looking for a tight knit Jewish community, it's definitely there- our rabbi complained to us at one meeting that we don't have any other friends outside of our Jewish circle! (which is NOT true... ).

Preppy? Ha. It's the freshmen and the guys who are. Eventually over time, people relax their styles because Colgate's just a comfortable place to be. Seriously, girls can't wear high heels... I just wear jeans, hoodies, and t-shirts to classes.

If you need serious convincing, PM me

lyjoo0119

What are Colgate's particularly strong academic departments?

gellino

When I was there philosophy, chemistry, geology, physics, economics, political science were probably considered the strongest.

rainmanoutofsnow

How's Colgate's English dept.?

WORTH27

srry lyjoo, but i don't see any cons on that list

SP135

I think the location of Colgate is a big drawback. Very isolated...but then again Bates' location isn't that great either but it is located in Maine and is not as isolated as Colgate.