Hi. My son is deciding between Colorado College and University of Rochester. He will likely major in computer science. He is a serious competitive rock climber, so Colorado College is a more obvious choice due to its proximity to some of the best climbing in the country. And it has a climbing team. BUT, he loves Rochester’s open curriculum, and it’s only a 6-hour drive from our home near Philadelphia instead of halfway across the country. Univ. of Rochester does not have a competitive climbing team, and that part of NY state does NOT have good outdoor climbing (he goes to the Gunks along the Hudson Valley for that, but it’s a few hours from Rochester) so this is a considerable disadvantage. BUT, Rochester a well-respected research university and should my son decide to switch academic interests, he might have more opportunities at Rochester. But, CC is smaller and he might have a more personal experience, and it has the block plan, which is really interesting.
Can anyone provide insight into either/both of these schools? Thanks!
Congrats to your son on two great options. And they sure are different! Just wondering if the CS department at Colorado College has enough depth for his needs? If so then sounds like CC might be a better fit for his “whole” college experience. The block plan works really well for students who like the balance between academic immersion and block break adventuring (or simply the option of laying low and decompressing on campus during break).
Students get to know professors very well, and as a result the academic environment definitely nurtures a personal experience. When you are in a block, your class has that professor’s sole time/attention since they teach only one block at a time (after all, they are on the block plan as well).
Obviously CC can’t compete with Rochester with the depth/breadth of research opportunities it can offer. I can see why he is having a tough decision because they would definitely offer very different undergrad experiences!
If your son is going to college to engage in rock climbing, then Colorado College is the better option; but, for the study of computer science, the University of Rochester is the better choice.
My son looked seriously at Colorado College and my husband got his Ph.D. at Rochester (economics), so I have some knowledge of both. My son ultimately decided the block plan at Colorado wasn’t for him. He worried what would happen if he got sick, for example, given that a day on the block plan is like a week in a more standard curriculum. I also recall reading on this forum somewhere that the block plan can be especially grueling for STEM students. On the other hand, the campus is incredible, and it would be a rock climber’s paradise. The block plan would also work well from that perspective, as there is a multi-day break between blocks. Rochester is a school that the alumni I know love and remain very loyal to. My husband’s experience was as a graduate student, but it is my sense that the school finds a good balance in its undergrad programs, with more focus on personal interaction between faculty and students than in some larger research institutions. Academically, it is a terrific school. I don’t know much about rock climbing, but I wonder if you might find other opportunities on the Canadian side - it’s easy to cross the border at Niagara Falls, at least when there is not a pandemic going on.
He’s not going to college to climb per se, but he definitely wants to be able to climb in his free time either on his own or through a school program. The city of Rochester has a very good climbing gym but there isn’t much outdoor climbing in the area at all.
Colorado College’s block plan is designed to facilitate those who have a strong and active outside interest.
Colorado College is all about intense focus on one course & on a significant activity. This schedule works well for snowboarders, rock climbers, bodybuilders, authors, or anyone with an intense focus on a particular area of interest or activity. Speaking bluntly, CC’s block plan works well for those who are self absorbed–which is not necessarily a bad thing.
As long as he has a car, though, he can get to great weekend outdoor climbing in VT, Canada, and the Gunks, and then climb at climbing gym during the week. I would focus on which college is the better fit.