Visit Report by Zerpe11 (Member since December 16 2006 with 6 posts) Visit Date - July 2006
Visit to Colgate University in July 2006 by Zerpe11 (Student, HS Class of 2007)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - The staff was extremely helpful! At other college's information sessions I had felt as if I was interupting the admissions staff by asking questions, but at Colgate everyone was happy to help. Campus Tour:
Yes - The student that showed me around Colgate was wonderful. He seemed to know everything about the school and was extremly friendly, the group was having so much fun that we made the tour go late.
Colgate University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
This was possibly the best selling point of Colgate for me, everyone I met was extremely friendly! People would wave and smile at us, although they had no idea who we were.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The staff was very knowledgeable and as friendly as everyone else that we met on campus and in Hamilton!
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
It was gorgeous! Although there was construction while I was there, I ran around the campus and was charmed by the rolling hills and picturesque landscape.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Every building was clean and very well kept. Although some building are visibly older on the outside, it is clear upon entering them that renovations keep the buildings in tip-top conditions.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
In comparison to other schools I visited, Colgate had amazing dorm rooms. The ones I saw had windows with great light and plenty of room for the inhabitants. Also, everything seems new and well-kept.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
I felt very safe on campus. There were blue light phones in easy reach no matter where I was, and the walkways were all very well lit.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
I loved this school! Upon walking onto the campus I knew that Colgate was were I wanted to spend my next 4 years. Although the small town setting is not for everyone, it was perectly charming to me.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Colgate is in a very nice area with rolling hills and is in the center of Hamilton. There seemed to be no bad neighborhoods in sight.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good -
Hamilton is a VERY small town without much to do. A prospective student should realize that they are not going to Colgate for the city life, this is as rural as it gets.
Campus Visit Notes for Colgate University:
Visit Description:
My mother had to drag me to Colgate, it was my last choice school because I was convinced I wanted a big city school - NYU, Tufts, Georgetown- thank God she dragged me to Hamilton, though. Even though my bad mood towards it, Colgate charmed me and I fell in love. I felt at home and felt like this was where I wanted to be and who I wanted to spend the next four years with.
Everyone I met was friendly and in good spirits. The entire atmosphere seemed idilic and very healthy, condusive of a learning environment. All the students and professors seemed to be more than willing and ready to go out of their way to help me as I wandered around campus. This friendliness made a huge impression on me, all the other schools I had visited had not contained such helpful and nice people.
Colgate also had great eduationional opportunites. As a liberal arts school it allows students to create their own curriculam in many ways. There are no Graduate students on campus, this allows Undergraduates more chances to aid Professors in their studies and research. Undergraduates are able to get more experience that at many other, larger, Universities. Also, Colgate encourages and makes it simple and easy for students to travel abroad and recieve internships all over the world though the extremely strong Alumni base.
I strongly recommend this school, but it is not for everyone. Due to its middle-of-nowhere location and small school size (2,700 students total) many will not feel that this is where they would prosper. I recommend that anyone thinking about Colgate visit the school in person because the visit will make or break you decision. I never would have chosen to go to Colgate had I not gone to Hamilton and seen the school for myself.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
We stayed at The Colgate Inn and it was very nice. I was told that unless you reserve there, you should stay in a hotel out of town because anywhere else in Hamilton is a crap-shoot.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
I recommend eating at least once on campus to try the food options and see if you like it, also for a nice dinner the food at the Colgate is was really good, downtown has some nice places as well.
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This was possibly the best selling point of Colgate for me, everyone I met was extremely friendly! People would wave and smile at us, although they had no idea who we were.
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In comparison to other schools I visited, Colgate had amazing dorm rooms. The ones I saw had windows with great light and plenty of room for the inhabitants. Also, everything seems new and well-kept.
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Hamilton is a VERY small town without much to do. A prospective student should realize that they are not going to Colgate for the city life, this is as rural as it gets.