Colgate University | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

KanyeEast

Class: Alum
Major: Neuroscience
Gender: F

High School:
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

The best thing about Colgate is the community. During orientation and any other event that gathers huge groups of people, presenters will always elaborate on this quality until it is ingrained in everyone's head. When you are a freshman, the school seems huge, but once you become an upperclassman, you realize how small it actually is and how you practically know everyone in your class by name. Professors here know you by name and will embrace anyone who shows a true passion in their studies. Furthermore,they are able to provide personalized attention and excellent recommendations that you wouldn't be able to get at a larger university. Students are generally happy with their decision to go to Colgate. They enjoy their classes and are extremely active in varsity sports, club sports, clubs and groups, volunteering, campus jobs, mentoring, tutoring and other extracurricular activities. There is a decent amount of school pride, although varsity sports teams such as basketball struggle to maintain a fan base. Living in Hamilton, New York for four years can be trying on some due to limited stores, bars, restuarants, activitites and students often feel ready to leave when it is time.

Academic Life

Professors are very invested in the lives of their students and genuinely encourage success. Classes are generally small and Colgate boasts about its small teacher:student ration. The amount of work you do depends on the type of student you are and what you decide to study. Sociology majors don't study, biochemistry and astrogeophysics majors do. Participation is common and group applications and projects are somewhat common. Students have intellectual conversations outside of class and going out for dinner with a professor or babysitting his kid are not uncommon. The academic requirements provide an amazing foundation for approaching worldly problems even beyond the scope of your particular major. The learning process, intellectual growth and real-world applications are emphasized in every class.

Student Body

Most students are wealthy, white and straight. There are, however, a multitude of diversity awareness clubs and no one denomination is particularly ostracized. For the most part, the students get along despite differences in socio-economic income, race, religion, major, greek affiliation or sports team. The type of person who would feel out of place at Colgate is someone who is uncomfortable around excessive alcohol, has a weak work ethic, doesn't like snow, doesn't like the feeling of community or honestly doesn't care about their education. The campus is not very politically active. Some students are materialistic big shots who dream and boast about the money they'll make someday whereas others are the genuine good-doers who want to save the world.