What is Colby College Really Like?

gardenstategal
Tue, 31 Mar 2020 15:26:59 +0000

@gotham_mom , there was a change in leadership since then, and the new president is a visionary. Truly. A top priority (backed by substantial gifts to support it) has been to expand the reach of the school and to diversify the student body in all respects. The student body was definitely more New England. affluent and white a decade ago, so the dominant culture created by that has been somewhat diluted. The school has strong partnerships with Questbridge and Posse, has created FA policies to make it affordable for middle and low income families, has changed leadership (not just President), to make this happen and is working hard at inclusion.

My sense is that having housing in Waterville has also created more options for activities. While there is a ton going on on campus, having a critical mass of students living in town has made going to dinner or a bar or a movie in town an easier option to whatever is happening on campus. Iow, it’s easier to opt out of campus activities if you are so inclined.

My kid is a senior now, and the school has evolved during his time there. Of course, it’s still in rural Maine, it’s still about 2000 students, it still is in the NESCAC, it still places a very high priority on engaged learning and academics, so those elements continue to influence who wants to be there and what kind of community they want to create.