Colgate will give you four of the best years of your life. More importantly, however, it will set you up to have a successful career in any field which you wish to enter. Nobody wants to leave Colgate, but when they do, they are as prepared as anybody graduating from a top university.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Take AP classes, invest in extracurricular activities, and learn to budget your time! Colgate is like any college, which wants to see you challenge yourself, expand your mind, and be able to do all of this successfully. College is mainly about learning to use your time wisely, and good habits start in high school. Not only does Colgate want to see that in you as a prospective student, but they also will as an undergraduate.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Classes can be time-consuming, but again, it's all in the preparation. Some classes, especially the hard sciences, require much more work spread out throughout the semester, whereas others, more of the liberal arts subjects, require big projects which come in bunches. The work load isn't unbearable, but you must learn to budget your time and not fall behind. As long as you plan well, you will have plenty of time to have fun, meet new people, join clubs, and relax!
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life is always active and fun. The smaller size of each dorm is a great to facilitate friendships between new students. A great benefit of Colgate is the size of the campus. Even if you don't make your best friends within your own dorm, you will be close enough to other dorms to make best friends close by. Freshman dorms are typically nice, most of them either suite-living or more modern doubles. Sophomore year is less evenly distributed, with the prize possessions being the two sky suites, two of the best rooms found on any campus. Whichever way you look at it, the rooms are livable, and everyone is close enough so that you will absolutely find your niche.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Frank Dining Hall is the typical dining hall for a college. Filled with multiple options, the staff tries their best to mix up the options. After two years, however, the food can get repetitive. There are some meals to avoid, but salad, bagels, a sandwich/wrap station, and ice cream are always available. The COOP has solid options offered daily for more fast-food style options, all of which are of good quality. The Edge is a sit-down restaurant for dinner on the freshman meal plan and is a great change of pace on occasion. Donovan's Pub is a little further down the hill, but is a newly-reopened hangout for dinner as well.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There's always something to do at Colgate. This is one of the best parts of the school. Every weekend there are free events up the hill or in town, whether it be concerts, open dance parties, dinners, or speakers. There are options for everyone as well, as game nights and movie nights can be found in conjunction with parties down the hill. There's never a dull evening at Colgate; if you're available at any point during the week, there's always something to do!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Colgate is one of the more expensive schools, but the experience, both academic and social, is special. Not only will you get a great education here and be prepared for a future career, you will meet your best friends and never want to leave. Ask any alumni you meet; every single one loves the school and will tell you that. They'll even be jealous that you might be starting your four years there!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The number 13 is Colgate's lucky number. Every Friday the 13th is Colgate day, as students, faculty, and alumni across the world wear Colgate apparel and participate in special events.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Hard Workers, Athletes, Outgoing individuals who like to have fun
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Almost any club imaginable is available. From the club Ultimate Frisbee team to the whistling a capella group, there is something for everyone. The COVE heads most of the volunteer groups, such as Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-a-Grandparent. The Activities Fair during each semester allows every student to see all of the clubs on display and get involved. Another great aspect is that anyone can start their own club.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek Life is pretty heavily involved at Colgate. About half of the eligible students (Sophomores and above) are involved with Colgate's six fraternities and three sororities. You don't need to join one to stay a part of the social scene, but it does help a lot if you do join one, especially if you're not part of a sports team or large club. You can have more fun at Colgate without participating in Greek Life than most other schools, but it does add to the experience.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Colgate is completely safe. There is never a moment where you feel threatened. Rumor has it that the last time someone used a blue light on campus (located throughout the campus in case of an emergency) was to check the score of the Colgate v. Cornell hockey game. Safety is never an issue with Colgate or the quaint college town of Hamilton, NY.
Colgate will give you four of the best years of your life. More importantly, however, it will set you up to have a successful career in any field which you wish to enter. Nobody wants to leave Colgate, but when they do, they are as prepared as anybody graduating from a top university.
Take AP classes, invest in extracurricular activities, and learn to budget your time! Colgate is like any college, which wants to see you challenge yourself, expand your mind, and be able to do all of this successfully. College is mainly about learning to use your time wisely, and good habits start in high school. Not only does Colgate want to see that in you as a prospective student, but they also will as an undergraduate.
Classes can be time-consuming, but again, it's all in the preparation. Some classes, especially the hard sciences, require much more work spread out throughout the semester, whereas others, more of the liberal arts subjects, require big projects which come in bunches. The work load isn't unbearable, but you must learn to budget your time and not fall behind. As long as you plan well, you will have plenty of time to have fun, meet new people, join clubs, and relax!
Dorm life is always active and fun. The smaller size of each dorm is a great to facilitate friendships between new students. A great benefit of Colgate is the size of the campus. Even if you don't make your best friends within your own dorm, you will be close enough to other dorms to make best friends close by. Freshman dorms are typically nice, most of them either suite-living or more modern doubles. Sophomore year is less evenly distributed, with the prize possessions being the two sky suites, two of the best rooms found on any campus. Whichever way you look at it, the rooms are livable, and everyone is close enough so that you will absolutely find your niche.
Frank Dining Hall is the typical dining hall for a college. Filled with multiple options, the staff tries their best to mix up the options. After two years, however, the food can get repetitive. There are some meals to avoid, but salad, bagels, a sandwich/wrap station, and ice cream are always available. The COOP has solid options offered daily for more fast-food style options, all of which are of good quality. The Edge is a sit-down restaurant for dinner on the freshman meal plan and is a great change of pace on occasion. Donovan's Pub is a little further down the hill, but is a newly-reopened hangout for dinner as well.
There's always something to do at Colgate. This is one of the best parts of the school. Every weekend there are free events up the hill or in town, whether it be concerts, open dance parties, dinners, or speakers. There are options for everyone as well, as game nights and movie nights can be found in conjunction with parties down the hill. There's never a dull evening at Colgate; if you're available at any point during the week, there's always something to do!
Colgate is one of the more expensive schools, but the experience, both academic and social, is special. Not only will you get a great education here and be prepared for a future career, you will meet your best friends and never want to leave. Ask any alumni you meet; every single one loves the school and will tell you that. They'll even be jealous that you might be starting your four years there!
The number 13 is Colgate's lucky number. Every Friday the 13th is Colgate day, as students, faculty, and alumni across the world wear Colgate apparel and participate in special events.
Hard Workers, Athletes, Outgoing individuals who like to have fun
Almost any club imaginable is available. From the club Ultimate Frisbee team to the whistling a capella group, there is something for everyone. The COVE heads most of the volunteer groups, such as Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-a-Grandparent. The Activities Fair during each semester allows every student to see all of the clubs on display and get involved. Another great aspect is that anyone can start their own club.
Greek Life is pretty heavily involved at Colgate. About half of the eligible students (Sophomores and above) are involved with Colgate's six fraternities and three sororities. You don't need to join one to stay a part of the social scene, but it does help a lot if you do join one, especially if you're not part of a sports team or large club. You can have more fun at Colgate without participating in Greek Life than most other schools, but it does add to the experience.
Colgate is completely safe. There is never a moment where you feel threatened. Rumor has it that the last time someone used a blue light on campus (located throughout the campus in case of an emergency) was to check the score of the Colgate v. Cornell hockey game. Safety is never an issue with Colgate or the quaint college town of Hamilton, NY.