<p>How does Colby compare with Connecticut College? I realize it is ranked higher, but in reality, is there a significant difference in th schools? Both are NESCAC, and basically the same size. Would going to one over the other provide more options in terms of grad school and career options? Also, how do the schools compare in terms of student body and social life?</p>
<p>I visited Conn College and was not impressed at all with the campus. I don't know if you've visited there or Colby, but Colby's campus is much nicer. I didn't look much beyond the campus at Conn College because I was so unimpressed with its appearance, so I can't tell you much else.</p>
<p>Colby is more prestigious, older, more money, nicer campus-- just overall more weel known and respected. But go with the one you like better, prestige doesn't mean all that much. In terms of grad school, Colby is ranked in the WSJ's Top 50 Feeder Schools. Conn. College isn't included. But that study doesn't mean much, it's very subjective.</p>
<p>they are virtually identical in admissions statistics, despite what usnews thinks (conn is actually the #24th most selective LAC- i know many more people who got into colby but not conn than those who got into conn but not colby). ive never heard conn's campus being described as anything but beautiful. and its in a much better location. the student body at colby tends to be preppier. conn tends to be stronger in the social sciences/humanities, and colby has a better rep for the natural sciences. but the schools are so similar its impossible to say which one is 'better' until you visit the schools and see what each feels like to you.</p>
<p>I feel like Colby is better, but then again, I have never been to Conn. and don't know much about it. You're totally right, though. Obviously the schools have a lot of differences, but when looking at colleges in the US as a whole, they are pretty much identical. </p>
<p>I would say that Colby is more well known. And about the admissions thing, the numbers really don't mean that much (24th most selective and such). You have to look at the caliber of the applicants. For example, the people who apply to say Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin are also getting in to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Although there may not be much of a difference in the percentage that is accepted, the difficulty of admission is far greater between say Conn. and Amherst. When you put yourself in the admission pool at Williams, Amherst, or Bowdoin, your competition is much tougher. Kids applying to Conn. probably are of a different caliber, and probably don't have a good shot at the super selective schools like the Ivies (and others). The numbers don't necessarily mean that Conn. is actually the 24th most selective. It only means that a bunch of people applied, and the school doesn't have enough room to accept them all. The difference is, which schools attract which caliber of applicants. </p>
<p>But again, comparing schools like Colby and Conn. is tough. The Colby name might give you a small edge, but not much. It's personal preference. I think Colby's location is WAY better. Beautiful Maine vs. over-populated Connecticut (New London, no less), come on.</p>
<p>hmmm, middle of nowhere maine vs the quaint eastern connecticut shoreline and within a 2 hour drive of all major cities in the northeast? :)</p>
<p>one more thing to add- this year conn accepted only 43% of the valedictorians who applied: admissionblog.conncoll.edu</p>
<p>The location is purely a matter of opinion. But New London vs. Waterville? I'm the outdoorsy type. Colby is within minutes to thousands of great things to do outdoors. The best: Sugarloaf USA is under an hour away (that's the tallest ski mountain in Maine with the steepest slope on the East Coast-- where Bodie Miller learned to ski). If you want to be near all the exhaust fumes and crime of NYC's suburb Connecticut, then you should pick Conn.-- but I prefer Vacation Land, Maine.
Again, I don't think the numbers mean anything. Besides, a lot of valedictorians aren't really good applicants anywhere... the title only helps when you apply to your state school or something. </p>
<p>But to answer your question, kramer, no. It doesn't make a difference which school you go to in terms of grad school. If you do well at either one, you will go where you want to go.</p>
<p>i know a bunch who got into conn and not colby. many at my school use conn as a safety but consider colby to be a better school. it's probably silly seeing how similar they are in just about every way, but as long as we're talking reputations.....you know. whatever.</p>
<p>colby sports in every aspect > conn college sports. Also out of all the NESCAC connecticut college has the least (respect+prestige)
colby has more endowment than conncoll, (colby is 100% fin aid)</p>