<p>I am an intl student from India. I want to eventually pursue research and want to major in math/the sciences. Definitely going on for graduation immediately after undergrad. What is your opinion? Colby College or Bates College?</p>
<p>Colby:
I am a Presidential Scholar. Expected parental contribution is about $6600. Plus, I get upto $2000 for summer expenses.</p>
<p>Bates:
Expected parental contribution is about $5200.</p>
<p>I am really confused as both these colleges are practically like twins!</p>
<p>My D has also been accepted at both (also Presidential Scholar at Colby). She’s American, but of Indian/British ancestry. We’ve visited and researched both schools. Very tough choice, but she’s probably going to Bates or Oberlin. Colby has a beautiful campus, and may well be slightly more prestigious, especially with the research opportunities that go with the scholarship.
Frankly, what worked against Colby is: 1) The more preppy/wealthy New England kids; 2) The very widely reported and discussed alcohol use/abuse.
My D just felt more comfortable at Bates, even though it has a much smaller campus (which may be a boon when one considers walking around the large Colby campus in the long winters :)).
Hope this helps. Good luck in choosing between two very good schools, and congratulations on getting in with terrific aid.</p>
<p>You really can’t go wrong, it sounds like finance will be pretty similar at both schools, and as you know they are almost identically ranked and perceived in the New England area. </p>
<p>As StressDad says, it really comes down to the “feel” of the schools. As an international student, it sounds like you won’t have a chance to visit the campuses before having to choose. Colby is generally perceived as having a bit more of a “preppy” feel than Bates. It also had a pretty big scandal last year involving alcohol and football team members which gave it some bad press, but in reality alcohol culture is probably the same at Colby, Bates, or really any other NESCAC school. </p>
<p>If you do a bit more searching you might be able to find statistics on graduate school placement for the two schools, if you want to consider that in your decision.</p>