mmmchocolate

I'm a senior in high school this year and trying to decide where the heck I want to apply to college. Initially my criteria for colleges was: top academics, no huge classes, school spirit, offer fine arts, and have some sort of college town. I visited Colgate last summer to get a "feel for" what a smaller sized school was like...

Even though I've visited many more colleges, Colgate has always been in the back of mind. I understand that no college is going to meet all my criteria and that I'm going to have to give up something... but Colgate is really rather isolated, which worries me...

Does anyone who attend Colgate ever wish they went to college that had more of a college town? or was more suburban/urban?

I really don't want to apply there and find out I hate it and transfer...

Also... reading a few of the posts about "rich preppies" has kind of scared me...! I mean I am from NY and live in a rather small, wealthy town. I'm used to living with preppies and don't mind them if they are not rude, obnoxious, or close-minded. I myself am more down-to-earth, laid back, and have a very quirky side...

I hate it when people label others negatively as "preppie" because it is a clothing style and is bascially the collegiate look on campuses across the country... (sorry for that tangent... anywho...) I guess what I'm trying to get at is, are the students at Colgate warm and friendly? Or does the cold weather up there color their personalities?

Also, I love schools with old, funky, weird traditions... does Colgate have any??

So sum up my questions:
1) Does anyone who attend Colgate ever wish they went to college that had more of a college town? or was more suburban/urban?
2) Are the students at Colgate warm and friendly? Or does the cold weather up there color their personalities?
3) Does Colgate have any old, funky, weird traditions? (that students get involved in... just the whole history with the number 13 kind of thing?)

ticklemepink

1) NOPE! I'm actually a grad student at the University of Michigan now so I can compare. I can definitely feel how Ann Arbor is a collegetown and is very different from Hamilton. I miss Hamilton's rural, small town American charm. Everyone knows each other faces in Hamilton- even the people in the deli and coffeeshop know my name, my usual order, and even where I usually sit! I also liked how Hamilton was on the quiet side and is surrounded by other small towns and looottsss of rolling farmland around. With collegetowns, all you see are college students, chain stores mixed with local stuff, and lots of bars. Basically catered to a college student's needs. Hamilton, however, mixes both with the locals' and college students' needs. There are 3 bars, a coffeeshop, several deli shops, several good restaurants, and the rest are just "errands" places. You get to know the "adults" more so than in collegetowns where all you see are students in your age. As for the urban feel, that's what summers are for! A number of Colgate students go to Boston, NYC, and DC for internships and a couple months off from rural life. Everyone's always glad to be back in Hamilton after 3 months of hectic city life.

2) VERY much so! We are really open minded (although politically apathetic at times) and love collaboration. Colgate thrives on student-student and faculty-student collaboration projects. Because of its location and small number of students compared to other schools, we make the most of the time together by building a community. People watch out for each other. Even in the winter, we're still enjoying ourselves by taking advantage of the *true* winter weather we get (snow = fireplaces, skiing, snowshoeing, hot chocolates, etc). I've met only very few Colgate students who were unhappy. Even the most pessimistic ones somehow get in the spirit of things. The connections at Colgate are formed by the students and a strong alumni network seeking to maintain Colgate's school spirit, traditions, and community. Those three things have been very consistent since 1819.

3) Yes... I feel that Colgate has a lot of traditions. The freshmen walk up the Hill with little burning candles and then when they become graduating seniors, they walk down the hill with BIG torches and form a circle around the pond. The Torchlight Parade is amazing... It's the best tradition that we have. We have plenty of others that we do cherish that are put on by students like DanceFest (which happens at the end of every semester where a bunch of student dance groups put on a "standing-room only" show), lots of Greek traditions... Oh... and our "notorious" Spring Party Weekend... it's more than partying though I can go on forever what makes Colgate very special but I can tell you that the brochures are pretty much word-for-word (I do stop in the admissions office every now and then to say hi to our Dean who seems to know every single person and at least one part of their application that stood out).

And yes, we consider the number 13 to be very lucky. We've done very well with ourselves.

JBou

thanks for this thread...its just reaffirming my early decision to 'Gate

CollegeMom08

My H is a Colgate graduate, early 1980's. We dated throughout college and I probably spent more time at Colgate than I did at my own school! There are other schools that have the same level of academics found at Colgate. But I can tell you, without hesitation, that the people we met at Colgate are some of the finest people I have ever come across in my entire life. Many of them are still close friends today. Funny, highly intelligent, open, talented, friendly and with a love for Colgate that knows no bounds.

One "issue" is, of course, the rural setting (and the long, cold winters coming in a close second). Some will find it a blessing. Some, like my daughter, will find it a curse. My H was heartbroken that she chose a more "urban" environment over his beloved 'Gate! She didn't even apply. But she knew she would not have been happy there.

Colgate is a very special place. If you like it enough to apply and are lucky enough to get in, GO! You will never, ever regret it!

Kate@Gate13

JBou - As a current student, I 100% agree with what ticklemepink says about 'gate. I come from a very suburban area and while I love to go home, during the summer I talk with my Colgate friends and the conversation is always, "I hlike home but I can't WAIT to get back to 'gate!" I was talking to the owner of Slices (the #1 pizza place downtown) and he commented that students arrive back on campus earlier and earlier every year. --> there's a reason, it's really wonderful.

Also, I think CollegeMom08's comment is a great example of how really special and Colgate's alumni network is. It's hard to find an alum who isn't incredibly enthusiastic about the school and doesn't offer to help you (as a student, prospective, etc.). I mean, CollegeMom08 is "pushing"/speaking glowingly about a school she didn't even technically attend!

and you can deny it, but for those at Colgate, 13 is TRULY a lucky number. It's really weird. -- as a current *non-superstitious!!* senior, I have way too many 13 stories...

Best of luck!

Char4457

I would SO love to go to 'gate!! Can you imagine how great that would be- class of 2013 at Colgate!? Let's just say I'll be working very hard on my essays & recommendations these next few months...