Colgate University

Date: Mar 02 2005
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Colgate is not for everyone. True, there is very much a "cookie cutter" type of student, and I no doubt fall into this group of students, I love it here. It was what I always imagined college to be like, hard and challenging classes, one-on-one attention with the professor, good friends, parties and drinking. I agree with a previous comment that this very much is a "work hard, play hard" mentality type of school. The kids here are pretty bright. They come from all over the country, from all types of high schools. Meeting prep school kids was quite the change in enviornment for me, although I did go to pretty well-respected public high school. Most of my professors have been amazing. They really do care about you as a student, as an individual. Professors readily give their office hours and even encourage students to seek help outside those hours. I have had several professors take my class out to dinner at a couple of different restaurants in town. One professor even offered to grab coffee with me (on the the university, of course).

The campus is beautiful. Spring, Fall or Winter. Fall, is my favorite season with winter being my least favorite (i hail from a far warmer climate.) The winter can be long and at times brutal, but most kids are able to adjust well. There are those few that really just can't hope with the cold and rural climate and actually do transfer for this sole reason. For me, one of the reasons I chose Colgate was to experience something completely different… and this has definitely been true, without a doubt.

You can find something to do on any night of the week, whether you want to be getting drunk or keeping in an academic mindset. The university definitely spoils us with offering free viewings of new movies at our downtown movie theater. I do not think there is a pressure so much to drink, but definitely a lot of kids go out. There have been many times when I've gone out sober.. and truth be told, these are some of the most fun nights.

Colgate is not a suitcase school. Kids seldom go home on the weekend. We are a very social community, and we enjoy being here at Colgate. You have a family at Colgate. It is such an awesome feeling to walk to classes and recognize people's faces, to see friends. I go to the library as a social opportunity to run into friends.

Colgate is a great place. I feel like most people can tell the second they step onto campus if they like it or if they don't. The same can be said about any school though. I am so thankful to be here, and I know that my time spent has (thus far) been well worth it. Here is an analogy: It's like "Camp Colgate" here, except with a lot of snow. You do work hard in your classes, and you will spend endless hours studying and writing papers, but you will have more fun than you can possibly imagine. I guess, at the end of the day, college is what you make of it. To that accord, if you want to just sit in your room and do nothing, you can do that. However, if you want to be an active member in the Colgate community, make a difference and a fun time, you can do that as well.