Colgate University?

Question

Has anyone here had any first hand experience with Colgate University? Please tell me about your experience, and for those who have heard about it but have not experienced the education first hand, what do you think of it? Will a 3.8 gpa be competitive enough? what is the public's view on this school? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

A 3.8 will make you competitive, but it will depend on how well-rounded you are in addition to grades. Admission is highly competitive -- a step just below the Ivies and consistent with places like Swarthmore, Colby, Middlebury and Amherst. Hopefully you are involved in plenty of extracurricular activities and did well on your SAT's.

Check out their website at www.colgate.edu for details on the academic program. Colgate has a strong connection to Wall Street as well as professional graduate schools -- medical, law and business. I went to Dartmouth for my grad school and had a bunch of fellow Colgate alum in my class. The Career Services office probably has placement statistics they can share, but they are usually very strong. Colgate consistently ranks very high in placement and average starting salary.

Most importantly, you need to think about what type of college experience you want. Urban or rural? Big or small school? Colgate is a small liberal arts college in a picturesque little valley surrounded by rolling hills and farms. There are plenty of things to do and great outdoor activities in every season, but you will spend most of your time within 5 miles of the campus. If you can't live without the hussle and bussle of Manhatten, you might want to look at a city school instead.

But it is a great academic environment with a strong focus on teaching. I never once had a TA teaching my class -- only professors. You will get to know your professors, go to dinner at their houses, and make a "connection" that will last a lifetime. Colgate folks help each other even decades after leaving the Chenango Valley. (I'm the President of a $150MM company and I never turn down a call from a Colgate alum looking to network or to get career advice.)

I strongly recommend a campus visit. Good luck in your search.

Answer 2

A 3.8 should definately be good enough. Colgate is a "good but not great" college. Many people who apply into the Ivies use it as a "safety" school.

Figure out how much debt you will get yourself into if you go there because you won't be guaranteed the big bucks if you go there.