Colgate University

Date: Dec 12 2003
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
I came to Colgate because of the academic reputation, rejecting several similar, albeit similar, liberal arts schools such as Colby, Bates, and Conn. College. Academically, I am not disappointed. The classes are small and intimate, (most) professors really make an effort to get to know you, and it is certainly challenging.

However, I wound up hating this school. I'm not a heavy drinker, and that isolated me from more or less everyone. If you want to get as drunk as possible 3 times a week, and become the most serious student in the world the other 4 days, this school is perfect for you. If you don't want to drink at all, and get your kicks off of watching movies in your room every Friday and Saturday while participating in a dorm-wide Candyland tournament, the sub-free crowd will make you a happy camper. If you're bent on a college experience that does not hinge on such extremes, you're more or less screwed. Given the choice, I'd probably drink one night a week, but not the 13-16 beers a night the people here are famous for (another thing: if you don't like keystone, get to like it quick!). Because I'm not all about having a blood-alcohol ratio rivaling my IQ, I was shut out. And this is Hamilton, NY. There is NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

Socially, Colgaters are definitely preppy, and definitely cliquey. Individually, they're some of the most friendly people you'll ever meet. In groups, they can be elitist and pretentious. And yes, 95% of the people that go here are more or less rich. I've never seen so many 18-22-year-olds in my life that regularly wear pink pants, collars up, and tucked-in shirts.

I'm leaving this school next semester, and I feel kind of bad about it. The academics are fantastic and the extracurriculars are well-represented and a whole lot of fun. But socially, the school really shows its isolation, and it hurts.