juiiceb0xes

Hi. I'm from New York City and I haven't visited Colgate Univsersity. I haven't even heard of Hamilton, NY before. Can you all share your opinions on the school campus? I hear it is very rurual. Is there easy access to a less rural area where all the fun is? What is there to do?

Also, what do you LOVE/really like about Colgate University and what do you HATE/dislike about it?

RaboKarabekian

Hamilton is kind of isolated. It's 40 minutes to the nearest mall. Syracuse is an hour away. I'll tell you things I like about Hamilton, because I used to live there. A Colgate student can tell you about the school itself. I love the fact that you don't have to look before crossing the street. I love pub food, slices, the barge, and parkside waffle fries (these are all places to eat).

I hate all the snow in the middle of winter. That's really just about it.

juiiceb0xes

I'm thinking I love the idea of this isolated small town thing for college and I don't mind the snow. I just don't know if I'd just love to stay there for a week or two. Do you know how the public transportation is there (trains, buses)?

RaboKarabekian

There are buses called Colgate Cruisers, which may or may not be on schedule, but are free. They run just about anywhere Colgate students need to go in town. As far as trains go, the nearest train station is in Utica.

juiiceb0xes

I've never even heard of Utica. Thanks a lot for the info

mhc48

What sorts of things would you want to leave for, Juice? From what I gather, the school and the students provide plenty of entertainment for eachother. My D, a freshman who used to travel into NYC from Long Island just about everyweekend while in HS, seems pretty content. She wants a car, but just to get out to go shopping occasionally.

ticklemepink

Here's a 'Gate student here!

I LOVE Colgate to death- so do most students. I'm such a sucker for pretty campuses and Colgate is one of the most beautiful (see Princeton Review ranks)- you've got lots, lots of trees and hills around. The campus is actually on the hill with residential housing alongside the street down below. It's quite rural- nothing for miles...

But I don't even think much about it unless I run outside of the town. There are just soo much to do- most of the events are student-organized and sponsored by the departments. Students are aware of the limited entertainment provided by the public so they work hard to entertain themselves and get the campus involved. It's just so nice to be able to find your friends easily on weekends since 99% of the students stay on campus instead of attempting to escape.

There's a bar and a nightclub with decent music downtown. But really, a lot of the fun is organized by student organizations and the Greeks. There's really no reason to leave to look for "real" fun. Occasionally, there will be a direct bus to Boston (fall and spring breaks).

When I was considering Colgate, I strangled every student to tell me what is it that they don't like about it. No one student complained. The very, very urban city kids will say that there's nothing to do. Most will just say that classes can be difficult to get into since Colgate focuses on the students and by doing that, they cap the classes to 25 or less.

Most students have cars to transport each other to events and classes- so you'll find friends who will ride with you. Students understand that we are far away from each other and it's not a problem to drive out every once in a while if someone desires so. So therefore, we all carpool to events for our organizations.

I honestly don't have any major complaints!

ahtsisab

freshman here.... its really really very very tough not to fall in love with this place..... during winter, it may be a different story !!!

LKADmom

Can anyone comment on Early Decision admits last year at Colgate?
Would either of you mind posting your stats (just major ones like GPA and SAT/ACT) ?
My daughter loved her visit to Colgate but is on the low end of the
SAT averages (650M,670V,710W). Her GPA is over 4.0, I won't bore you with tons of info- just curious about ED. Thanks in advance!

ahtsisab

Early Decision
638 applications; 312 admitted; 310 enrolled
254 denied; 61 deferred; 12 later admitted

those were stats for class of 2009....my SAT: V690 M800....i took the 1600 version of the SAT

LKADmom

Were you admitted regular decision?

juiiceb0xes

thanks, that was really helpful. i'm just dying to know anything that's not so great about colgate before i seclude myself 5 hours from home. is there anything you dislike about colgate? including anything small. how are the dorms?- are there singles? how's the weather in the wintertime? hahaha sorry to bombard you with so many questions.

ahtsisab

not probs juiiceboxes....nice name u got....anyways.. the dorms are awesome.... u will get singles if u want... i heard winters suck... only been here for a month.... there's nothing specific that i dislike.... food is not bad.... come and see for urself.... it'll be a nice visit....

ahtsisab

I got into ED II.....

jrpar

LKADmom - if you do a search on collegeconfidential, you'll see the discussion last year as kids found out ED decisions - there were a number of kids posting on the Colgate thread around Dec. 15.
My son was accepted ED last year (1460 SAT) and is a very happy freshman.