Choice between Skidmore, Tufts & Colgate

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son has some great choices, and I wanted to get other parent?s opinions on these colleges. S has visited all and will be returning to 2 perhaps 3 in the month of April. He was also accepted to Trinity, but I think he's ruled that out, and he's been waitlisted at several others, but likely will not pursue them.</p>

<p>What he's looking for....not too small, not too big, liberal arts curriculum with strong humanities like philosophy & English. May be interested in psych or even neuroscience. He's a serious student and enjoys intellectual endeavors, but hasn't found his niche yet & tends to be on the procrastinating underachiever side. Although he's an athlete (lacrosse), he was not recruited at Tufts or Colgate but was at Skidmore, and would probably play there, although he's getting burnt out so playing a varsity sport is not a factor in college selection. His other main interests are (1) having fun like any teenager, (2) music...anything about music, including a cappella, playing guitar, endless hours on i-tunes, etc. Socially, I wouldn't call him a crazy party animal, but he does like parties, however he's also quite comfortable being alone or with significant other, when he has one. During the college hunt, he's has been intrigued about the "frat" scene, knowing of course that parental units are not too keen on an atmosphere of binge drinking, but he likes to play with us. At times he seems to like an eclectic mix of friends, and at times he seems most comfortable with people of similar background.</p>

<p>As far as environment goes, none of these schools fits my son's ideal scenario of beautiful campus immediately adjoined by a bustling village. Colgate is beautiful but isolated with tiny town not so adjoined, Skidmore has a bustling & fun looking town nearby, but not walkably adjoining, and Tufts is more suburban like & didn't tickle S's fancy when we visited last summer. S does like the possibility of exploring Boston (assuming he found a way to make some money so he has some to spend!) So, although the campuses are all very different, since none are his ideal, I'd say they are all tied at neutral.</p>

<p>So, from a parental perspective, Skidmore might be good because it has a real artsy side, a side of S that could really blossom at such a school; plus if he played a sport at Skidmore, he'd have an established set of buddies from the get-go and be in shape, both good things from my perspective. Tufts is larger with from what I can see has the best academics of the three, so he'd have plenty of choices and if he pushed himself (that?s an "if") he'd likely find many many opportunities academically and otherwise.....if he engaged himself, Tufts looks like the best potential, but he could get lost there more easily. Colgate seems very good academically, with fantastic school spirit (my son has been known to don body paint at HS football games & lead cheers), but is a bit less diverse, however S may be very "comfortable" there & if he doesn't get too sidetracked in the drinking scene, Colgate may provide an optimal environment for him to blossom with the safety factor of being smaller with less likelihood of getting lost in the system.</p>

<p>Ok, I know these are worry-wart theoretical concerns....just trying to form some opinions about these college choices & find the best environment to tap S's potential without too much downside risk.</p>

<p>thanks for sharing your perspectives.</p>

2

<p>one other add about S.....he has no clue what he wants to do when he grows up....& he certainly does not want to be a Wall Street finda guy, hence the famed Colgate alumni connection may not be a huge plus, depending upon what he ends up doing.</p>

3

<p>I agree Tufts is his best bet academically. And I wouldn't worry about him getting "lost" there! The great thing about Tufts is that it's a small research university so it maintains a LAC feel and that prized invidualized attention (its 8:1 student/faculty ratio is equal to Amherst's!) while retaining the opportunities for research, taking grad-level courses by the time he's an upperclassman, and such things only afforded by a research institution. Furthermore, the philosophy (ever heard of Daniel Dennett?!) and English departments are really great, and if he's interested in psychology the program here is great as well (many opportunities with the Medical School, too) and he might consider the Engineering Psychology major if he's into neuroscience and psych.</p>

4

<p>Another vote for Tufts. Skidmore isn't in the same league academically. (It was D's Safety.) Aside from the school, I also like Tufts location.</p>

5

<p>My son's close friend was deciding between Skidmore and Tufts (and Wash U.) and chose Tufts 2 years ago. (She had applied ED to Brown and didn't get in). She seems really happy at Tufts, has made good friends, likes the academics, location, etc. Another classmate chose Skidmore (didn't apply to Tufts or Colgate, I don't believe) and is less happy ---finds that the social scene there doesn't suit her that well. Both of these girls are very down-to earth, un-preppy types, not big partiers.<br>
Good luck with the decision.</p>

6

<p>OK, I don't post often, but I think the Tuftsers are skewing the thread so far. My S sounds very much like yours, and applied to Colgate and Skidmore. Also considered Tufts, but decided to focus on liberal arts colleges (Tufts is not one). Loved Skidmore and Colgate, but got admitted ED to Colgate, after deciding to apply ED following his second visit to campus in the fall, attending classes, an art exhibit, other campus events, and meeting students. H is a Colgate alum and loved, loved, loved it. And the alumni network is NOT just a Wall Street connection. There are many journalists, creative types, entrepeneurs, etc. (Gloria Borger, Bob Woodruff, the founder of Lotus, to name a few.) H keeps in touch with the school and fellow alum who have a wide variety of careers. The Core curriculum at Colgate is fantastic for students who are interested in lots of things but not sure about a major (this also describes my S). I think it also gives people more versatility as future problem solvers and allows them to change careers down the road if they want/need to (this describes my H). Great study abroad programs--H attended the University of Dijon through Colgate's French study group and still speaks decent French and keeps in touch with the French buddy he met over there. I personally think that for undergrads Colgate may be stronger than Tufts, whose reputation comes in part from some of its grad programs, which Colgate doesn't have as an LAC. The academic profiles of the students, selectivity at the two schools is quite similar. And as for a capella, Colgate is very well known, with the Colgate 13 being the most listened to men's collegiate group in the country, and several other singin/performance groups on campus as well. I am concerned about drinking on campuses, as my S is a nice, social kid who does not want to reenact Animal House. jrpar (whose S is a student) has recently reassured me that Colgate's reputation as a drinking school has been overstated on these boards, and that there is plenty to do for students who want the "happy middle ground." I really think your S should consider Colgate strongly--definitely do the overnight visit if at all possible. In fact, he sounds like the perfect roomate for my S!! But seriously, he has some great choices and congratulations to you both.</p>

7

<p>^ ^ ^ Um, no. It's widely recognized that Tufts' emphasis is on undergraduate education. Also, Tufts is eons more selective than Colgate. In every way possible. Colgate is definitely a safety.</p>

8

<p>You are painting with far too broad a brush. I think Tufts is a fine school. Do not, however, sell the academics at Colgate short. Both the faculty and the academic advising at Colgate are first-rate.</p>

9

<p>Lolabelle, Tufts is a great school. You don't need to dump on Colgate to build up Tufts! For the average applicant, the selectivity is closer than you think. (I am very familiar with, and have a lot of respect for, both these schools; both my kids have looked at both schools, and there's close alumni connections at both to boot.) </p>

<p>The academics are first rate at both Tufts and Colgate. I'm not that familiar with Skidmore. Can your son go and revisit the schools now? There are different feels to each of these campuses, and it would be great if your son could go back and revisit to see where he feels most comfortable. I think the post-acceptance visits can be really helpful.</p>

10

<p>you are obsessed with putting Tufts over any other school. Do you have an inferiority complex, because maybe you made a mistake and picked Tufts over "more prestigious" schools and go on this board to make yourself feel better? Tufts IS NOT more selective and DEF not more prestigious than Colgate. If you're not a URM, Athlete, or a LEGACY, Colgate is near impossible to be accepted. I don't care what the average SAT scores are, Colgate is a very small school and rejects very high SAT scorers from my high school every year in order to have a more balanced class. Here's a study by Jay Brody on prestige,
<a href="http://www.brodyadmissions.com/college/resources/college_rankings.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.brodyadmissions.com/college/resources/college_rankings.php&lt;/a>. I think you should look at the rankings and you'll notice that Colgate <em>gasp</em> is higher on the list than your beloved Tufts, (which coincidentally is ranked last!). Now, this ranking is not perfect but neither are average SAT scores. Btw, i think you should kill self. Also, I forgot, I turned down tufts two years back, so I dont want to hear any bs of how I wasnt accepted.</p>

11

<p>haha Colgate near impossible to get into thats funny. My friend who goes there wasnt any of these things and was ranked outside of the top 20% of my class. Tufts>>Colgate</p>

12

<p>and yea just because this one guy says so, Colgate is obviously better than Tufts. Colgate honestly doesnt belong on that list</p>

13

<p>colgate and skidmore have VERY different campus vibes. tufts seems to be the most well rounded in 'feel;' that is there are great opporuntities and support for sports and music and theater etc etc etc</p>

14

<p>I personally would rather go to Colgate. Also, if prestige is more important.</p>

15

<p>


</p>

<p>I don't think my S will be looking at either Tufts or Colgate, but I have to say that comments such as this make me think less, not more, of Tufts and its students. It seems to reflect a certain insecurity that I find unappealing. Regardless of the academic strength of the students at the school, if the students feel the need to defend their school in this manner, it seems to show some concern of its possible inadequacy.</p>

<p>I think post-acceptance visiting is the best way to get a feel for the schools. Even if your S has visited before acceptance, he may see things very differently now that the acceptances are in hand. In reflection on my own D's experience last year, visits made a tremendous difference. She was not nearly as thrilled as she had expected to be with one of her top two choices, and the school she ultimately ended up at wasn't even close to a top choice until after she visited. It became her first choice based upon the students she met when she visited and the ease with which she could envision herself in that environment.</p>

16

<p>Yeah, arguments relating to "I think you should kill yourself" are really mature.</p>

<p>Look, I think that statistics and anecdotal evidence show that Tufts is a more selective and all-around better school than Colgate, but I will agree that personal fit can make a difference. For Wingman, Colgate was it. I do think, however, that if we were to find data relating to Tufts/Colgate cross-admits, the vast majority pick Tufts. Take that as you may.</p>

<p>I admit I am greatly influenced by the fact that a girl with very bad grades, curriculum, and the like went to Colgate from my school. She was rejected at every other school she applied to. She was legacy at Colgate.</p>

17

<p>As I mentioned before, legacys get a BIG leg up. Her father/mother could be big time donors and even at Harvard, that's good enough to get the kid in. And ckmets what is your problem? Are you upset because your school did not make the list? And possibly because on average Colgate is more selective than BC? You need to stop bashing other peoples' schools. I never said anything disparaging against your school or other peoples' schools, to each their own.</p>

18

<p>No, she was legacy on the smallest of levels. Her sister went there. Her family certainly did not have money to donate anything.</p>

<p>This is the evidence I was basing my assumptions on: </p>

<p>Taken from Princeton Review, admissions stats on class of 2010 (except for starred data which was not reported on the PR site and were instead taken directly from the Tufts Admissions site):</p>

<p>COLGATE:
Average SAT: 1347
SAT - Verbal Range (25-75%): 620-720
SAT - Math Range (25-75%): 640-710
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 670-730
Average Verbal SAT: 666
Average Math SAT: 681
ACT Composite Range (25-75%): 28-32
Average ACT: 31
Students in top 10% of HS class: 68% <---- this is most telling, I think (I too agree SATs are not the best way to quantify a student's academic ability)
Students in top 50% of HS class: 100%</p>

<p>TUFTS:
Average SAT: Not Reported
SAT - Verbal Range (25-75%): 670-740
SAT - Math Range (25-75%): 670-740
TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 690-750
Average Verbal SAT: 715*
Average Math SAT: 718 *
ACT Composite Range (25-75%): 29-32
Average ACT: 31*
Students in top 10% of HS class: 83% <------
Students in top 50% of HS class: 99%
Students from Public School: 60%</p>

19

<p>statistics on the princeton review are known to be wrong. Colgate had over 80 percent in the the top 10 percent of class in the class of 2010 profile. Either way, you'll never give up the fact that you believe that Tufts is the greatest university but in reality it is not any better than schools that you deem are "below" it. I just feel that it is pitiful that you take so much time to troll for Tufts when the end none of this will matter. I think you should take a break from CC, seeing how many times you post on this site.</p>

20

<p>My D is a freshman at Tufts and loves it. She is an IR major - pending but loves music; she sings in an a capella group that is nationally/internationally known (they just returned from London; have 10 CD's; always make the "Best of"....)Compared to almost any school, Tufts a capella is incredible and has been for years. She also sings Chamber and is in a musical there next week. They have a brand new, gorgeous music building. Aside from music, Tufts, while suburban is easily accessible to Boston which has definite advantages for the OP's kid. The on campus environment, student life, etc. has been great. Most of D's classes have had approx 20 students. She had one introductory IR class with 100-ish students and was told it was probably the largest class she will take there. </p>

<p>We are from Southern Cal and D is having NO problem adjusting to life on the east coast and at Tufts. We love that she can fly into Boston and be at school in 30-45 minutes by the T; Lots of other parents have issues with students travelling home.......long distance from a reasonble sized airport so consider the hassle factor at the other schools. </p>

<p>Not sure why there are so many Tufts bashers out there...........it's a shame 'cause it's a great LAC. As for the "connections", from what I am hearing, the students make great connections for post-grad life. Good luck to OP in decision making. </p>

<p>(ps; friends daughter went to Colgate this year, and is dropping out at the end of the year because she feels too isolated there. She wants to be closer to a city)</p>