triggy100

I'm a junior in HS now, and have pretty seriously been looking at colleges. I've been reading about Colgate a lot (through the website, cc, literature I've been sent, etc.) and it sounds like a fantastic school, with a beautiful campus and impressive academics! But, I've heard it described as an extremely preppy, "rich" school; when my mom was in college (which, granted, was a while ago, so this may not be accurate anymore), she visited a friend at Colgate and said that everyone was very preppy. I won't be able to visit Colgate until late summer, so I was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback on how true this is.

My concern is that I wouldn't fit in very well. I'm not preppy at all! I pretty much wear jeans & a tee-shirt or sweater every day, and I'm not overly concerned with my appearance. I don't wear tons of makeup or have lots of expensive jewelry... just a pretty average girl! I don't want to take the stereotype at face-value, which is why I was hoping for some feedback on cc. Do you think I could find my niche at Colgate? Would it be hard to find a large group of people like me?

Again, I'm sorry to be furthering the stereotype. I'm really really hoping I'll be able to visit in the late summer, but for now, this is all I have to go on, and I'm trying to figure out if the social scene is a place where I could be comfortable and happy.

Thanks so much! =)

OniLawliet

Hi

I visited Colgate a few weeks ago, and though my following description may sound like its derived from Princeton Review or other college guide literature, its my true and honest opinion.

Ok, Colgate is a place where incredibly intelligent, prom kings and queens go to school. They are all quite wealthy, wear J.Crew, AE, and Abercrombie clothes, and are all quite mentally and physically attractive people. Sports are huge on campus, with approximately 60-70 percent of students participating in sports of some kind, be it varsity or intramural. Colgate is one of few liberal arts schools that is Division I...

As such, smart preps and intellectual jocks are the norm, with the occassional more academically focused students. Colgate students aren't really snobbish, but they will easily invite you to their ski lodge or summer home.

Ultimately, I think Colgate is a wonderful school, but truly not for everyone. Artsy, liberal intellectuals may not fit into Colgate. To me, Colgate was not that socially or racially diverse. Colgate works for some people and doesn't work so well for others. I think Colgate is a great place to work hard, perhaps play harder. Drinking and greek life are huge on campus.

However, one thing that will not leave my mind regarding Colgate is its absolutely spectacular campus. The campus is REALLY quite beautiful, set on a hill with some small lakes at its base.

So...

PROS
+Beautiful campus
+Division I Sports --> Gives you that large university feeling in a small liberal arts college
+Smart and physically beautiful student body. friendly as well.

CONS
-No racial or social diversity. Colgate students are quite preppy, and come from wealthy white families. This is the kind of place where you may see some minorities there purely for sports, which is unfortunate.
-Drinking and Greek life is rather dominating.


Thats my 2 cents.

momstl4

The best thing you can do is go for a visit and see for yourself! Do your best to go when classes are in session.

We recently visited Colgate and DID NOT find it to be particularly preppy. Every student we saw was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt or sweater. All were quite friendly. Any college you go to will have some preppy type kids, as well as other types. The students there say about 40% of the kids are involved in the Greek system and that when the fraternities/sororities have a party it is usually open to all the Colgate students, not just an exclusive event.

Do not worry about a label or stereotype, visit a school and you will know if it is a good fit or not.

ticklemepink

I'm actually just like you. Tees, sweaters, sweatshirts, and jeans to class- don't even put much effort in putting on makeup and I feel just fine. I'm rather a bit academic oriented and it does take a bit of time to find people like you but there's definitely some on campus

reasonwhy

We (my son and I) visited Colgate over Spring Break. There seemed to be a variety of types of kids in terms of clothing etc- not all preppy types - but the feeling we got was that it was overwhelmingly intense. Quite a few kids eating alone in the dining hall while furiously studying. Kids studying alone in common areas. It did not seem that friendly. Also, Greek life is very big. When they cite statistics, keep in mind that freshman cannot join frats/sororities - so 40% Greek membership actually means 53% of the soph, jr and sr classes. At the info session, the admissions person kept talking about "Go-Gate" (ie Colgate) because there are so many super achievers, always on the go, olympic athlete religious study majors from Romania who were just accepted to Harvard med school. Not a good fit for my introverted son!

metfan2121

yeah but i'm sure Olympic training foreign athletes are not a dime a dozen at colgate, and you're going to find people studying hard at any college you go to.

ticklemepink

sheesh. that was a totally put-off comment like that- enough to scare away some people! Even I would've been doubting myself at that moment!

momstl4

reasonwhy - My S and I did not get the feeling that Colgate was overly intense at all! It did have the atmosphere of work hard/play hard. We did not notice anyone eating alone. Seemed like a friendly place with some pretty serious students, overall, a quite comfortable fit for the students there. It is great that you went to visit so you can get the right fit for your son. Good luck in your college search.

GateNY09

It seems to me that no matter what people will always perceive Colgate to an extremely preppy school; while there may be some truth to the statement [and I believe there is] it is sometimes frustrating as a student to hear people talk about prepiness in a demonishing way. I think we are proud of the fact that polo, j.crew and vineyard vines all make clothes in our honor - but not because we feel like it vaults our reputation but because it is funny and a great way to show school pride. While I think most people dress "preppy" at Colgate, most don't have the stereotypical attitude that is attached to the style. As an earlier poster mentioned, those who flaunt their wealth are looked down upon. Plenty of Colgate student's come from the countries most prestigious high schools and communities, though most realize how stupid it is to continue to discuss once we're all here in Hamilton, NY. Colgate is never lacking in designer fashion, but it is in no way required or an essential part of being a Colgate student...be bold and dare to go out on a limb.

ticklemepink

Wow. Well said coming from a sophomore!

WendyMouse

I've heard the preppy stereotype about Colgate before, and sometimes people say it about Wellesley (where I'm a student).
I just find it ironic that the Wellesley student I know that complains about the preppy clothing and people the most can identify what people are wearing and usually knows how much it costs. Even though she'd never be caught wearing it and complains loudly she can't afford it. She's not obsessed with what she wears, but with what other people are wearing.
It's a two way street.

waker1000

Fyi, in terms of greek life the 40% ( i believe it normally is around 45%) is NOT including the freshman. If you visit Colgate, the tour guides/ admissions office will clarifiy that. Most published numbers will state around 35% but that does include frosh... it is not over half the student body that is involved in greek life.

In terms of a preppy student body, most liberal arts colleges will attract the same types (yes, plural) of students. There are many types of students at Colgate, and preppy is one of them.

bluebayou

reasonwhy:

accepted students weekend occurs during mid-terms and my son's college, so perhaps kids were studying hard for class or working on term papers....just a thought.