<p>My daughter was accepted to BC Honors college and Colgate ( wait listed at Brown and ND) . She is leaning towards Colgate ( me too) as she feels she will fit in there - she likes the academics, reputation, small class size and frat scene. The students were extremely friendly and welcoming when we visited. She is not a city girl and likes the idea of being " stuck" on campus and bonding with her peers. She was 99.9% sure Colgate was for her until her dad talked to colleagues that are advocates of the Honor Program and reputation of BC nationally . I feel Colgate has just as good reputation and is ranked very high for ROI. I realize this topic has been discussed before but any new insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>99.9% beats hearsay every time. And who needs an honors program anyway?
Send in your deposit and relax comfortably with Colgate as your daughter’s choice!</p>
<p>Nothing against BC, by any means, but Colgate is better academically in a number of ways. Small class size, seminars, a smaller more friendly school, a beautiful campus (except for the cold miserable months, but BC has the same issue), an excellent reputation in many fields – journalism and the media, medicine and law, and so on. I’ve known BC grads and I’ve known Colgate grads. I’d go to Colgate. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Boston is kind of nice and has more to do than Hamilton, NY, so if location is a key element in the decision, that’s worth considering. Then there’s the Catholic school vs. secular school issue, if that matters. For some there may be the issue of BC being only the second or third or fourth best college in the Boston area which might be an issue for some people (Harvard, MIT, Tufts . . . ). </p>
<p>As for “honors programs,” these (it seems to me) have been developed to get top students on campuses they would not normally attend by saying to the student, “You might not think of us as a top academic school, but we can offer you a somewhat specialized separate program unlike our other (not so special) programs,” etc. This always sounds to me like they’re saying they’re not so good, but they’d like more top students who they’ll try to treat more specially. Very odd, I think. My own daughter, now at Colgate, was offered entrance into a couple of “honors programs” but the schools weren’t ultimately what she wanted. Why would anyone do that was my reaction? Unless they’re paying your tuition then it’s worth a long, hard think.</p>
<p>I’m with you both Markham and ColgateDad. BC didn’t offer her any money ( scholarship or FA) while Colgate gave her financial aid the first year . We will have two kids in college next year and are by no means rich. The other school is the same price as Colgate - so to not offer any aid was a huge turn off to me. Our only concern is how good is the internship placement for the NYC area- she is an undeclared major . Is the Almuni connection as strong as portrayed?</p>
<p>Also interested in reality of Colgate alumni connections, and thanks v much ColgateDad and markham for your continuing Colgate insights! Much appreciated.</p>
<p>Son will be attending Colgate this fall (an RD/ED conversion). Very pleased w. all that we’ve seen on Web and in person, in particular the “real world”/“what’s next” emphasis, which seems much more apparent at Colgate than at the many other New England/Northeast LACs I’ve long known and we’ve visited. Many programs connecting alums to students, including several entrepreneur-related ones. Visited last weekend during Entrepreneur Weekend, and heard Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook speak on her new book, and some very articulate, engaging pitches to alums by students working on various business ideas. Impressive and inspiring. In response to my question on tour re: cities most frequented by grads for jobs: NYC first, then Boston, Chicago, San Fran, in no particular order.</p>
<p>BTW, I agree w. markham and ColgateDad’s take on advantages of Colgate over BC–even having gone to BC Law and lived in one of those gorgeous Brahmin mansions at the edge of BC’s campus during that time. Having gone to a New England LAC (after spending my first year at a state flagship), I am a big believer in the value of personalized attention in the classroom. While BC is not huge by many standards, I’d rather spend my money on a place w. only 3K students–and one that seems really to get it re: post-graduation plans, to boot!</p>
<p>Go to Colgate!!</p>