<p>Which school should I end up going to? Colgate has been my top forever, but after looking at Skidmore, there's more to be promised. I'm going in undecided, I like the liberal arts, and I am a huge proponent of critical thinking. Colgate's in the middle of nowhere, as is Skidmore. Colgate's offering $33,058 and costs $52,000, compared to Skidmore's $25,400 and $54,000 cost. Based on your knowledge and experience, what should I do? I haven't checked out Skidmore yet; I plan on it soon, since it's en route to Colgate (if I take the north then west route).</p>
<p>I say go Colgate. It’s a very enjoyable experience there, and the campus is beautiful. Also, it is ranked much higher than Skidmore is. Although the Princeton review says that Skidmore has “dorms like Palaces”, but I still like the experience at Colgate.</p>
<p>Ranking isn’t everything. Colgate is nice and lovely and all, but the huge problem is drugs. Because there’s “nothing to do,” that’s all they resort to, and I can’t stand that kind of pressure from others.</p>
<p>What makes you think Skidmore has less drugs? Given that Colgate is much harder to get into and offers better aid, I wouldn’t think those kids are drugged out all day or have as much money as Skidmore kids to spend on drugs. Skidmore on the other hand is more average students from affluent backgrounds and that usually describes a place you’d find more drugs. No knowledge, just a guess…</p>
<p>Drugs? While I suppose these are on any college campus (for the past 35 years).</p>
<p>I think both schools are very good. I think you will find the stats (gpa, sat’s I & II’s, etc)are higher at Colgate. And the acceptance rate is lower. </p>
<p>But both schools are good school. Visit and decide where you fit.</p>
<p>There is a lot of weed at both, maybe some cocaine too because of rich white kids. But what’s wrong with marijuana anyway? I would not be scared by a drug problem at either school. But in terms of pure academics, both are great schools. Skidmore “seems” to be more hippy oriented whereas Colgate appears to have a little more money, more white kids, and more conservative. But Colgate also breeds great people in academia. Colgate recently bread the new Swarthmore president.</p>
<p>An educated guess. Where did you get the idea the problem was bigger at Colgate? Do some serious research if you’re planning to make a decision based on that. There aren’t many people who would pay more for Skidmore than Colgate.</p>
<p>Hm. The only thing I’m just concerned about really is that. There’s a scene at every college, I know that, but Colgate, since it’s just the campus… would it be forced upon me? I visited the school, but it was provided by the school itself, so it was like sugarcoated. You know what I mean?</p>
<p>Regardless, I plan on going to Colgate, but Skidmore is just in the back of my mind. Am I just being stupid and should I just go to Colgate? lol</p>
<p>Hm. The only thing I’m just concerned about really is that. There’s a scene at every college, I know that, but Colgate, since it’s just the campus… would it be forced upon me? I visited the school, but it was provided by the school itself, so it was like sugarcoated. You know what I mean?</p>
<p>Regardless, I plan on going to Colgate, but Skidmore is just in the back of my mind. Am I just being stupid and should I just go to Colgate? lol</p>
<p>Skidmore is in Saratoga, which is a pretty substantial little town (I guess you should call it a city; I just hesitate to do so because I’m from the NYC area). Saratoga is a really charming (very historic, home to horse races, beautiful architecture and lots of unique little boutiques/restaurants), and there is also a large shopping mall within driving distance and there are shuttles that come to Skidmore so that you can go anywhere you need to go. Colgate has like, an intersection. Both are great schools; I just felt the need to correct you because in terms of surrounding area there’s a pretty notable difference. Also take into account that you will find a large artsy crowd at Skidmore, along with some jocks, whereas I feel that at Colgate the student body would be overall more preppy/jock-ish. I can’t really tell you anything about drugs at either school. I could be wrong about Colgate though because I’ve never actually been there; I’m just judging it based off of what I hear and the people that I know who go there. It’s worth at least looking at Skidmore, and if you don’t really feel any spark, then you’ll feel much better about your decision to go to Colgate.</p>
<p>The campus is gorgeous, Saratoga is amazingly cute and there are tons of shops and things there which is really nice, and it’s a lot more artsy than Colgate, and a more relaxed/not preppy environment.</p>
<p>Here’s another factor. Colgate’s offering me more money to go there. Thing is; I associate well with the artsy folk, and I do love girls. It’s just that Colgate has a lot much more to offer in terms of academics. Skidmore’s great; it has an Honors Forum, which is spectacular, but, I mean. Ugh. I should just visit and judge for myself. Parentals are not so big on the whole trip thing either. They hate driving to college campuses because they think I can get a “feel for them” without seeing them at all. </p>
<p>I saw Colgate; it’s lovely. But Skidmore I never saw…</p>
<p>i am biased as im going to colgate next year but i did visit skidmore and was thinking about applying. truthfully, from what i have heard from friends who go there drugs at skidmore are definetely there, more i think than colgate. However, just because a group of students use drugs doesnt mean everyone does and definetly doesnt mean you have to. youll find kids who are into all types of things, and you can pick and choose who you want to associate with.
that being said you should definetly visit skidmore. I found that the campus could not compare to colgates. however saratoga is a really nice town and there is much more to do, (though i dont know if i would want to be around tourists all the time–just a thought)
academics is a big concern, as is money, however you should really go to where ever you feel most comfortable</p>
<p>If your parents won’t bring you, Skidmore is an easy (and beautiful) Amtrak ride away depending on where you live. You could probably have some sort of car service come get you there and bring you to campus, unless there is a Skidmore shuttle that goes to the train station that I’m unaware of. It sounds like you definitely are leaning towards Colgate, but you’re unsure enough to make a topic about it, so you should definitely just visit and rest assured. And you might love Skidmore!</p>
<p>Are you more preppy (Colgate) or more indie/“weird”/etc. (Skidmore)?
Are you more politically conservative (Colgate) or liberal (Skidmore)? - I wouldn’t say Colgate is exclusively conservative, more of a mixed atmosphere, but Skidmore is basically purely liberal.
Are you planning to participate in Greek life (Colgate) or not(Skidmore)?</p>
<p>Etc. I think you can see where I am getting at. Also if you are paying for College or your parents are only willing/able to pay for all of Colgate’s costs, consider that! Cost is a huge factor these days.</p>