Have you talked with the Colgate coach? Colgate is D1 so likely faster than the average D3 program.
There is much to like about Colgate but Greek Life is an important part of the social life there for many students. Hopefully you can visit or talk with a student there to get some direct information. @homerdog any thoughts to add?
I agree with the posters who have said if you do run track regardless the school, the team will likely be an important part of your social network.
Like others have said, I’m so impressed with your maturity. Good luck as you make your decision.
All exciting news! (But I still like Union and Conn College and F&M for you as well!).
Note that the combination of D1 athletics AND a Greek system AND a truly tiny town might make Colgate feel quite different than Union … though Colgate is also BEAUTIFUL and a great school!
You are a grateful and conscientious young person with a lovely attitude. These are attributes that will serve you well in life, though (unfortunately) there are folks who will try to take advantage of your kindness or simply be jerks/rude to you. That’s just how the world works and why humanity will never be perfect at anything. Never let them dim the luster of your shiny personality.
Pep talk complete, you now have (right?) five golden admits:
Colgate
Connecticut College
Union (Scholars)
F&M
Stony Brook (Honors)
These are all outstanding schools and opportunities. Now you get to do the fit/$$$ analysis – yay, fun!!! – and in so doing, you are sure to make the right (or a right) choice.
Usually, but Colgate’s current students and recruiting standards are actually lower than most of the D3 schools I applied to. An increased commitment level is not an issue either, I already spend easily 3 hours a day on this sport.
I know receiving multiple rejections can feel demoralizing, but as many before me have said, you have some wonderful options for choices. (And, just as a reminder, don’t forget that the schools where you have been accepted are all someone’s dream school).
I might recommend taking a look at Frank Bruni’s book “Where you go is not who you will be.” All the traits you’ve demonstrated through school and sports will serve you well professionally. I have friends who graduated from Ivies and NESCAC schools who are wonderful human beings but have had professional careers that have not advanced very well. (We could also have a long conversation on the purpose of education. The astronomic cost drives much of the value conversation.) I’ve also had very successful friends and colleagues who went to regional publics. Sometimes our communities of origin assign tremendous weight to things like where you get into college, but it’s important to remember those are all subjective extrinsic opinions. At the end of the day, no matter where you go, what you get out of college and beyond is all about you and your intrinsic motivation and effort. From what I can see from your posts on here, I believe you will do well no matter where you go.
My unsolicited advice? Take a deep breath, relax, pick the school that checks the most boxes that fit your internal desires, then go forward and crush it at that school. Good luck!
Congratulations! My dd got i to Colgate last year and visited. She selected a different option but that didn’t work out, I will be curious what your impressions are after you visit.
Definitely not the best, but I would definitely make a positive contribution to their team, especially in my main events because they tend to be weaker in middle distance. The running program is a great fit for sure. The academic fit is also great. I’m also pretty outdoorsy, and socially it seems like my people also. I’m excited for my visits! Hamilton was always near the top of my list so this was a much appreciated acceptance after all the WLs and Rejections.
I am very pro Greek life as it has meant so much to me long after I graduated from college. I have had a health issue this year and it is my sorority sisters from 45 years ago who have helped me, taken me to lunch, called me. Two are even taking me on a vacation to Mexico. They really are lifetime friendships.
But if it is not for you, you can just ignore Greek life. My kids both joined houses, and one has a few friends she still keeps in touch with but not that many. She’s been to a few weddings and sometimes she’ll have lunch with one if they are in town, but that’s the same as her teammates and friends from high school.
My other daughter is getting married and I think only inviting one sorority sister, a girl she also went to k-5 with so has known since they were 5 years old. Living in the sorority house was very convenient for her, she didn’t have to break a lease if she studied abroad or took time off, it was cheaper than a dorm, and it was on campus.
Fair enough. I’m leaning towards Hamilton as the social scene seems to be more athletic based-which is how I operate socially at the moment. My best friends are my teammates. I also would much prefer to run D3 as I still want to focus on academics and participate in music groups. We are all (me, family, and GC) in agreement that Hamilton is more my vibe than Colgate, but we will visit both before making a decision nonetheless. We have basically narrowed it down to these two, as academically, they are both a great fit. Saving the money on the other schools is nice- but not a deciding factor for our family. They were the ones that told me that I should go to the school I love the most and not look at the cost. I am thankful my family has the ability to do this.
I’d recommend the re-visit at Union as well even if you’re pretty sure it’s going to be Hamilton. It can help you feel great about the decision you make now and also in future when you have days of doubt.
Given your list and major, I don’t think this needs to be - who is highest ranked.
You might walk on a campus and feel I’m home.
It’s hard to tell on paper from afar, that this is the right fit.
Paper and reality are often different - and Union, F&M, CC - those are FANTASTIC names. I highly doubt your outcome for physics will be different.
And with ADHD and ASD, you want to ensure the right fit and support levels if needed, not just what you perceive as the best name - but lucky for you, all of these are GREAT names.
You sound like a really intentional and thoughtful person and you’re also going to a really small remote school environment. Fit is really key. In addition to the tours and organized activities, seek out current students (alums of your high school…kids of your parents’ friends) to meet and talk about their experiences. I toured Hamilton and Colgate with my DS23 on the same day. At Hamilton, we met with a Freshman super focused on premed and we then met with another sophomore that was on the squash team. Two very different kids with different perspectives and experiences. We unfortunately didn’t know any current students at Colgate but did the organized tour and then spoke with some former students.
Also, at Colgate (if you visit) you may also check out the Chabad and reach out to Rabbi shmuly. He is really nice and welcoming. There’s also a JewishatColgate IG group through the Saperstein Jewish Center. I’m assuming there are similar things at Hamilton College.
I would definitely suggest visiting Colgate. The social scene is much more athlete-oriented than Hamilton, and it seems that’s what you’re looking for.
FWIW, my D is graduating from Hamilton this year and loved it precisely because she’s NOT an athlete and has had a robust social life. She mingles with many different social groups. When looking at colleges, she also visited Colgate and talked to many students there about the social scene before deciding to ED to Hamilton. So if a serious athletic social scene is your thing, definitely check out Colgate.
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