My son is accepted at Colgate and Hamilton. Would be making a decision soon. Can anyone share similarities and differences between these two schools?
More similarities than differences really. Both beautiful campuses with tight knit community of students. Colgate has one of the strongest alumni networks out there and good career services, but Hamilton has strong career services as well. Impressed by the art facilities at both schools. Colgate may be a bit more pre-professional. Gave off a very friendly, active vibe. May be a bit more sporty. Making a big diversity push. Small town is adjacent to campus, while Hamilton’s town is about a mile from campus. Hamilton has a strong focus on making students good writers. Both are excellent choices. Congrats and good luck to your S.
My son visited both-- he applied to Hamilton; did not apply to Colgate (ended up at Swarthmore). He got too much of a frat/sports vibe at Colgate for his taste; Hamilton seemed more “intellectual” (all simply what we perceived of course).
Colgate: Notable academics across various fields. Many students pursue social sciences such as those related to government and economics, but excellent programs and facilities in the natural sciences could serve as a strong draw for many as well. Intermediate size may suit the indecisive. Graduates earn good early career salaries as reported by U.S. News. D1 athletics and fraternities set a theme for the school, though their importance may be of one’s choosing. Receives recognition from the Princeton Review for an active party scene. Not a squash powerhouse. Authentic countryside location cum village, the latter of which Forbes named among America’s “15 Friendliest.” Beautiful campus, on a hillside. Good access to the Finger Lakes.
Hamilton: Benefits from the curricular, architectural, spatial and cultural legacy of once having been two colleges of complementary characteristics and attributes. A writers’ college for students who want to enhance this skill – as they should – but curriculum otherwise nicely balanced across sciences and math, humanities and fine arts and social sciences. Accordingly, the science center tends to impress as the largest academic building, while the visual and performing arts facilities anchor a central-campus neighborhood. Adherence to a smaller student body allows for full access to a range of curricular and extracurricular programs and activities. Graduates earn solid salaries. Beautiful east-facing campus overlooks a valley and the charming village of Clinton. Good access to nearby suburban areas as well as to the Adirondacks.
What is he looking for?
Congratulations to your son!
Our family visited and liked both. Both are similar in their appeal in terms of excellent academics, accessible professors, small classes, tight-knit communities, loyal alumni, happy students, and nice little towns in a charming rural area. Both have pretty campuses, both by buildings and by nature (Colgate’s lake and Hamilton’s Root Glen). They provide very similar experiences in many ways. I can see why it would be a tough choice!
We thought one of the biggest differences was the role of Greek life. Both have it, but Hamilton’s is more low-key with its lack of fraternity and sorority houses, and all parties are open to all students. Colgate’s Greek life is more of a presence.
We visited both in one trip in April when son was a junior. In addition to his own impressions, there were two high school seniors at breakfast in our bed-and-breakfast (The Hedges- it was great), who had been admitted to both, were choosing between them, and had just spent a day at each with a student host. Both commented on the frat parties they had experienced while visiting Colgate and contrasted them with the more mellow feel of their time at Hamilton.
The other kind of funny thing that struck us was how so many students at Colgate looked like they stepped off the pages of a magazine- there was a high number of really gorgeous students. Hamilton had a cool mix of nerdy, athletic, outdoorsy, artsy, etc. types- even echoed in the architecture of the “light” and “dark” sides of campus.
As pointed out above, Colgate has more students and has more competitive Divison One sports, whereas the smaller Hamilton has Division Three sports.
Students, alumni, and families report much happiness at both. If you can, visit. They are close to each other, so it is as easy to visit both as it is to visit one of them. Your son can go by his gut reaction if there are no marked differences in the courses and clubs that match his specific interests. He can’t go wrong with two such awesome choices! Good luck to him.
In an interview, a new Hamilton professor mentions his impressions in relation to his experiences at Colgate:
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/darren-strash-computer-science-new-faculty