(Colgate) Let me preface this by saying that I never

How this student rated the school

Educational Quality	A	Faculty Accessibility	B+
Useful Schoolwork	A-	Excess Competition	B+
Academic Success	B+	Creativity/ Innovation	A-
Individual Value	B+	University Resource Use	A
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty	A-	Friendliness	A
Campus Maintenance	B+	Social Life	F
Surrounding City	F	Extra Curriculars	B-
Safety	A

Describes the student body as: Arrogant, Snooty, Closeminded Describes the faculty as: Friendly, Helpful

Female

Quite Bright

Lowest Rating Social Life	F

Highest Rating Educational Quality	A

She cares more about Social Life than the average student.

Date: Dec 23 2004
Major: Language - French/Spanish/etc. (This Major's Salary over time)
Let me preface this by saying that I never thought I would leave my first semester at Colgate with some of the views I know hold. Before I got to Colgate, I never thought I would feel so left-out and isolated based on the fact that I'm black. But being here is such a completely other experience. I'm not sure how many minority students feel the way I do, but I personally feel that the majority of the students here are consumed with fitting into the "right" group of people. So far I've been made to feel that just because I am a minority, I am automatically the "wrong" type of person. And as a result, most people on campus have no desire to interact with me outside of a very superficial level.

The school definitely has a LOT of cookie cutter Colgate types. A lot of the people I met at the beginning of the year who were really nice and cool have already changed and are beginning to blend in with everyone else. I don't mind people belonging to a group or anything… its just annoying to see people from Colorado and Nevada popping their collars and claiming they've always done so. I thought college was a place to discover more about who you are. I feel like a lot of people here are more trying to hide who they are to fit in.

Most people refuse to even say "hello" to me, and would rather look every direction but straight ahead to avoid eye contact.

Socially, there isn't that much to do. I love going to parties, but when you always see the same drones at each party, it becomes infinitely less fun.

That said, my professors are some of the greatest and most helpful people I have ever met. I absolutely love my Japanese professor. This person is my advisor now and has helped me get into courses that most people have to wait forever to take. This person will invite me to their office to fix something small, and we will stay and discuss my life and my future for an hour and a half. Other professors are supportive as well. I wrote an article for the newspaper, and most of my professors had nothing but positive comments on it. If you participate even a little bit, your professors will know you and take interest in what you do on campus. They are the only reason I refuse to transfer.

Responses

This is very touching. I was a student at Colgate 1954-57. What you describe as Colgate of the 200s was the Colgate of the 1950's. The problem is and was class and isolation, I think. Recruiting this upper middle class group then isolating them into a majority in Hamilton makes for an odd brew.

Basically, I don't think that a well rounded education can be obtained in that kind of provincial, backward setting and that is exacerbated by the class issue. As for being an African American there: you have already learned most of the lessons people need to learn about functioning in a diverse world with respect for all peoples. Surprise: You don't have anything much to learn from these people except the subjects they teach.

Good for you, studying Japanese. I lived in Japan for 8 years and love/d it. I would have preferred to spend the rest of my life based there. Keep on keepin' on. You are figuring things out and coming to the right conclusions. Your future will work out fine if you continue to use these thinking skills.

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