bs_hopeful

Hi guys. So, I'm trying to decide which one of these schools I would rather attend. I am being recruited to both schools for a sport, but I'm just not sure which one I like better. I'd rather be in Maine than in Connecticut, but Wesleyan's town is MUCH nicer than Waterville. I am an avid outdoorsmen, so I like Colby's Outing Club and stuff, but Wesleyan is a much more "crunchy" campus in general.

I am interested in studying Environmental/Earth Sciences. Both schools have pretty strong programs.

A compare and contrast type thing would be appreciated. Thanks for the help everybody!

soccersara122

I visited both schools and loved them both. I'd give Wesleyan the nod though. I loved the student body. It's a lot less preppy than Colby, much more artsy and diverse. Both are great schools academically, but Wesleyan's a bit better. And they have AMAZING science/research opportunities. I remember them saying on the tour that they get the most research money out of any university of their size (not exactly sure how they worded it, but I was blown away!) I'd personally go with Wesleyan, mainly because of the student body and just how it felt for me. So I'd definitely visit both if I were you.

bs_hopeful

Bump...what should I do?

BeanTownGirl

OK, Wesleyan

BeanTownGirl

Unless you are still considering Tufts or Bowdoin....

bs_hopeful

Well, Bowdoin is my ED1 school. Now I am trying to decide for an ED2...and I have decided that it will be either Colby or Wesleyan. I still like Tufts, and I will likely be applying there if neither ED works out.

tk21769

Have you considered Middlebury?
It has a very strong environmental science program, maybe the best of the NESCAC schools.

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bs_hopeful

I do love Middlebury, but I want to row in school and they don't have a varsity program. However, Bowdoin does not either. I would certainly be happy in club rowing at either. They are both a reach for me without a recruiting tip. I had to decide whether to apply ED1 to Bowdoin or Middlebury, and I switched sides all summer.

bs_hopeful

bump...anyone?

Anchser

Is the environmental science comparison all you're asking?

BeanTownGirl

You know, you might get more knowledgeable responses if you put all these
"Bates vs. Colby, Colby vs. Bowdoin, Colby vs. Colgate" etc. posts in the forums for those colleges. That's the where the people with the strongest opinions on these schools are likely to hang out.
At this point, have you thought of just flipping a coin? I'm serious. If the schools are so good and so equivalent to one another (which they are!) it becomes a waste of time to keep posting variations on the same question over and over. You can't make a wrong choice if they are all good!
Have you read reviews on the popular college review sites? Have you read descriptions in any college guide books? Have you talked to your guidance counselor?

bs_hopeful

Well, I don't want my answers to be like really biased.

And yes Anchser, that is mostly what I am looking for.

circuitrider

I think if cooking really is one of your passions you should look into the availability of kitchens at the two schools; everything I've heard and read in _Wesleying_, the student blog, suggests not only are food and drink a constant theme but that the school has the facilities to back it up; upperclassmen have an array of choices, including orthodox dorms ("Junior Village"), themed housing and neighborhood homes that have been converted into small dorms ("woodframes") all with fully-equipped kitchens.

bs_hopeful

Interesting, I would not have thought of it from that perspective.


I love Wesleyan a lot. The only thing that makes the decision so tough is that I grew up 5 minutes from Wes. Too close? I don't know.

Axelrod

If you grew up 5 minutes from Wesleyan, then maybe it's time to experience a bit more of the world. In the end, won't this really come down to financial aid ?