@bluebayou That chart and the article it was a attached to have got to be, at least 10 years old. I’m not disagreeing with your underlying claim, but a lot has changed in that decade.
^^ of course, but that only reinforces the obvious point. “Pedigree” does not grow overnight; it takes years, if not decades, particularly in academia. And if 'Gate wasn’t perceived as a top feeder 10 years ago…
The OP said he/she plans to study history/poli sci. On a strictly academic level, Colgate would have the edge. Of course, a college experience is more than just classroom size, learning environment, quality of faculty, so the decision would need to consider things like location, campus culture, social life, etc. BC is a Jesuit school, which is very significant factor differentiating BC from Colgate, more than the academic differences. BC and Colgate are both fine academic schools for a history major, but are different in almost every other way.
Pardon my sloppy presentation. Here are the test scores from 2106 (Compass Education Group)
EBRW Math SAT Total ACT
25th-75th % 25th-75th %
Boston College 680-750 660-760 1340-1510 30-33
Colgate University 660-760 650-760 1310-1520 30-33
How much of an academic “edge” does Colgate really have?
On what do you base that conclusion? It’s rare to an academic ranking by Department that includes both LACs and Unis, but USAToday puts BC ahead of 'Gate, (#5 v #10), at least for History.
http://college.usatoday.com/2016/05/13/the-top-10-colleges-for-a-major-in-history/
Have to disagree with that. The student bodies are similar. Both schools have a social reputation with sporty, preppy, hard working kids who tend to fall into the mainstream bucket. Not the most diverse places, not a lot of SJW stuff happening at either. Socially and student body wise - they are more similar than different
@leaned, SAT/ACT profile is virtually identical, but BC #s are skewed by CSOM students who have higher test scores in the aggregate. The OP is aspires to history/poli sci. My personal view is if the student of history/poli sci was the only factor that mattered, Colgate would get the edge, but it really wouldn’t matter in the long run. A history grad from either school will have good options if he/she does well.
@bluebayou, the ranking you attached is mostly based on starting salaries. I didn’t see any metrics based on quality of teaching, class size, faculty engagement, etc. I personally would prefer to study the history at a LAC…again if nothing else mattered.
@wisteria100, yes the students at both school tend to be affluent, suburban, mainstream, with the bulk coming from NY/NJ/MA/CT. The Colgate student body is more liberal, as is the campus culture. Colgate is a Greek life school, with the benefits and problems that come with that social environment. BC has a more subdued/underground party culture, at least until senior year. About half the students at BC went to Catholic high schools…not so at Colgate, where there is more of a WASPY/Jewish presence. Of course there are many Catholics at Colgate, but it is not a religious environment in the way that BC can be.
I don’t think Colgate vs. BC is an apples to apples comparison, so it is not possible to say one is better than the other.
Indeed. No such thing exists, anywhere. (Which is why I asked my question about academic rankings!)
And many people would agree with you, but then again, many would not. Needless to say, that is a personal preference based on learning style and the type of community one wants to experience. But I would submit to you, that personal preference does not make an “academic level.”
btw, do you have a source for the following claim:
To my knowledge, BC does not publish admission stats by college, or at least I have never seen them. Perhaps you have?
Dtrain hit the nail on the head. The numbers do not tell the full story. Colgate’s statistics are skewed by the vast number of students admitted to support their football, hockey and other teams, as well as students from underrepresented backgrounds, which help the school be diverse and progressive. And BC is skewed with CSOM students, which require far higher numbers to be accepted. No idea if BC gives scholarships for grades; Colgate does NOT, so kids with good numbers may have other options that make more sense (like me – can’t beat a free ride). But Colgate has a prestige and reputation that would serve the OP well in life for his/her major. Say what you want about statistics, professionals who do the hiring consider Colgate in the same league as the schools listed above. And the alumni network is probably the reason Colgate kids out earn BC kids, making Colgate one of the schools ranked as “worth the cost.” I’m busy with AP classes, so I’m done with this thread, but I think the OP has a lot to consider. I urge the OP to talk to real people, and not rely on stats, because this is an important decision. I think with your major, Colgate is the clear choice.
PNW, BC does not publish school-specific stats so you really don’t know how CSOM scores differ from A&S. CSOM is a much smaller school than A&S as well. BC only gives merit-based aid to Presidential Scholars (about 20 a year out an entering class of over 2000). BC also reaches out to students from underrepresented backgrounds. The school is more diverse than it used to be.
Both schools have similar student statistics. Both schools are fine places to be. As other posters have noted, the main issue is fit.
FWIW Colgate has binding early decision with an acceptance rate of approximately 47% and commits over 40% of the yearly student body before regular decisions applicants are even considered. BC has non-binding ED with approximately the same acceptance rate as RD. As far a reputation in the Northeast I don’t believe it’s even close in favor of BC. It is difficult to compare a D1 school in a large city to a very small liberal arts school in a very rural area.
Okay – this thread is getting silly now. If the names of the schools weren’t listed, you would think one of the posters was comparing Harvard to a state directional. That is just not the case. They are both excellent schools, with lots of smart kids and great opportunities and challenging classes. They will both get anyone where they need to go. if you are a social kid you would likely enjoy the vibe at either. Yes, Colgate has a bit more prestige but the difference is not monumental. I know kids who picked Colgate over BC. I know kids who picked BC over Colgate. No one thought either was crazy or making a silly decision. It really comes down to LAC vs university and rural vs suburban with city access. Both great choices - and kids would be lucky to attend either.
Closing thread. The OP has long ago left the conversation