<p>For what it’s worth, I think Colgate is a great school.</p>
<p>We went on a tour of Colgate back in 2008 when my son was looking. We live in CA now but were from upstate NY and we have a vacation cabin in a rural county near Colgate. I loved Colgate- what an environment for intellectual/academic growth! Unfortunately, it is an isolated campus. Go on a satellite map site and look it up- trees, farms as far as the eye can see. Knowing what we know of the region due to our 18 years of living upstate, you really have to be okay with the geographic location. If you are from an urban area you may delight in the contrast. Others would go stir crazy. Young people tend to lean towards more dynamic environments though certainly not all. Don’t pick Colgate unless you can embrace the rural location.</p>
<p>I survived Colgate with only one hangover (mixing beer with hard liquor) and never smoked dope and other drugs were not rampant there in the 80s. My concern with pot is that it makes students lazy. In moderation, this appears to be not so much the case for alcohol. Doubt that alcohol or drugs would be the deal breaker for the student in question. Would focus on International questions for admission office as global affairs has really changed for the better.</p>
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<p>I’m not so sure about that judging by what I’ve seen of undergrads who imbibed alcohol even in moderate amounts in the greater Boston area. </p>
<p>At least the pot users IME tend to mind their own business and not try to force you into joining them in their vice. Never had issues with them trying to impose their vices or getting in my face/developing a 'tude. </p>
<p>Contrast that with nearly everyone in drink heavy campuses/groups where refusing a drink or drinking “too moderately” can get snide remarks at best…not to mention drinking tends to bring out the worst in some. </p>
<p>I’ve had dozens of occasions where I had to fend off/help friends fend off belligerent drunks in NYC and the greater Boston area…mainly college sports fans, College fratboys from nearby campuses, and wannabes.</p>
<p>That’s not to say I’m against alcohol or drinking. Just that for some…our cultural climate with alcohol and young adults creates an environment where young people don’t learn how to drink responsibly from parents/older family members because parents/older relations fear getting locked up with the zero tolerance alcohol policies in many areas of the US.</p>