Family member was committed to one, just got in off waitlist to the other. Any input would help. Thanks.
Colgate is significantly bigger and is in Division I for most sports, including football. Hamilton is strictly little ivy (NESCAC). Contrary, to what you might think, Colgate is in Hamilton, NY. No one knows where Hamilton - the college is located. Just joking. Hamilton is in Clinton, NY. The locations are very similar climate-wise and vibe-wise: cold and isolated in the winter.
They’re similar in a lot of ways. Both have an active Greek scene, but I think it’s a little bigger at Colgate. Sports are also probably bigger at Colgate since it’s division I. And Colgate is just a bigger school. So I think Hamilton is is probably more your typical LAC than Colgate is.
Hamilton: Benefits from the curricular, architectural, spatial and, to some extent, cultural legacy of having been two colleges. A balanced curriculum, but also a nationally recognized writers’ college. The percentage of math majors (10 %) is high for colleges of any type. Either a village, rural or suburban location, depending on which direction and how far one travels from campus. Former fraternity houses are now beautiful residence halls.
Colgate: Like Hamilton, has one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Authentic countryside location and village. Colgate’s town has been rated as one of America’s friendliest, according to Forbes. Currently building an ambitious Center for Art and Culture. Division I athletics and residential fraternities are either a plus or a minus, depending on the student.
The comparison is to a different college, but you could also weigh Charlie Baker’s response when taking the Proust Questionnaire, prior to his successful run for Massachusetts governor:
Q: What is your greatest regret?
A: Not going to Hamilton College. I never really felt comfortable at Harvard.
(Source for Governor Baker’s comments: The Boston Globe.)
They are very similar. Stay warm and have fun at either!
Toured both with a family member who ended up applying to Colgate but not Hamilton. Thought that Colgate had more character and a more distinct campus. Also thought the town of Hamilton (Colgate’s location) felt more like a college town; Clinton more like a suburb. Still, they have a lot in common: http://colleges.startclass.com/compare/2738-2794/Colgate-University-vs-Hamilton-College
Both are excellent academically. I would go to the one that you will feel more comfortable with. Colgate seems to me has a much bigger party scene. Hamilton seems to be much more low key. GOod luck!