Student Profile
Kathleen
- Class: Junior
- Major: Psychology
- Gender: F
- High School: Archbishop Molloy High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Colgate's faculty is top notch, and I love how the school is isolated. This environment has fostered passions and nurtured friendships for all of us. I hated Colgate freshman year--very few students seemed intellectual or genuiniely interested in academics, and Greek life dominated the social scene. I decided against rushing sophomore year, and for a while I felt left out of a lot of rights of passage and traditions at Colgate. However, I tried as hard as possible to maintain an open mind. It took a lot of hard work for me to enjoy Colgate, but once I found my niche(s), I couldn't be happier. I've learned to love Hamilton and the idea of being guaranteed to see my fellow classmates wherever I choose to go on a Friday or Saturday night. I've developed interests and passions, and close relationships with professors. Colgate's size is perfect--small enough to know everyone and to have personal attention and access to various resources, and large enough to offer a variety of research opportunities, etc. A lot of the criticisms are true: Colgate students are mostly preppy and White; Hamilton is small, isolated, and cold; Greek life dominates the social scene, etc.; but if you trust yourself and your ability to find your niche despite all of this, you will be rewarded, and you will grow to love Colgate!
Academic Life
Professors really do become your mentors at Colgate. They are passionate and genuinely interested and engaged in your learning experience. I've had dinner with at least five different professors here. There are tons of research opportunities and personal guidance too; I love the faculty at Colgate! Warning: students seem exceptionally apathetic, especially for the first year at Colgate. But there are many gems in the student body if you look closely-- people worth meeting, and who you will meet while being isolated up in Hamilton, NY. Most students become empathetic and intellectual by junior year because the education is so geared toward learning for its own sake. Colgate students are encouraged to "live a life worth living and to create a world worth living in." I really like the CORE curriculum at Colgate too, and the distribution requirements really allow students to find their niche.
Student Body
Though Colgate students fit the stereotypes of most small liberal arts institutions in the northeast, I think we are unique in that we are actively trying to change ourselves and our campus climate. If you want an opportunity to change the mindset of your peers, or to make some sort of difference, come to Colgate. You will get the opportunity to teach others about your views on diversity. Be patient though, and keep an open mind!
The Best Things
faculty, close knit community
The Worst Things
excessive drinking
