<p>I got in both and Colgate preaches about having the "Hello" tradition and also having a great community, but when I visited Earlham I was blown away by how nice everyone is, and I mean everyone. After one night stay there a lot of people know me, and was just plan old nice, and compared to Colgates community it was above and beyond.</p>
<p>Then I looked at the sciences at Earlham, mostly Physics at Earlham and was disturbed. They only had one lab, and three Professors (But good ones). I also don't have to say that Colgate has a significantly better name then Earlham so what do people think.</p>
<p>And better Fin Aid at Colgate then Earlham</p>
<p>Remember the marketing aspect of luring in prospectives during the month of April.... everyone's being super nice and supportive. But of course, generally students are that way but just decide for yourself just how realistic for everyone in the dorm that you just stayed at to know your name already. Marketing. Marketing- your host probably got your name ahead of time and passed it around.</p>
<p>If the lab time and space are important to you, look into it further, especially that Colgate will have that new science building up and running in a year.</p>
<p>Consider yourself lucky with the fin aid :)</p>
<p>Unbelievably easy decision.</p>
<p>I know a freshman at Earlham who says that fellow students are wonderul. What you experienced there is the norm according to his whole family. He likes everything about the school. </p>
<p>That said, the two schools are quite different. Our Earlham friend would not enjoy the social atmosphere of Colgate. I am not talking about academics. </p>
<p>Maybe checking out Loren Pope's web-site or books would help understand Earlham better. He says Earlham is one of "40 College's that change lives"
<a href="http://www.ctcl.com/?source=adwords%5B/url%5D">http://www.ctcl.com/?source=adwords</a></p>
<p>Both will offer good to great educations. I believe Colgate is a better known school and thus has a better ‘reputation’. However, graduates from Earlham do very well going on to graduate and professional schools should they choose to do so. The Quaker influence, while not overwhelming, is still a part of what makes Earlham a friendly place and very comfortable to students on day one. One thing that differentiates the two is athletics. While this may not be important to you it does flavor the Colgate campus life. They are a small ‘university’ yet are Division I in athletics. Earlham values it’s student athletes but without scholarships and at the Division III level. Athletics just don’t dominate college life at EC. Colgate has a much more profound network in the business and legal communities and they are very open about Colgate grads using that network for their entire lives once graduated. I think it is a tough choice.</p>
<p>^HD Did you notice that this thread started in 2006? Hopefully the op is a happy junior somewhere now. Maybe Colgate!!</p>
<p>well, based on his profile location, I think its safe to say the OP chose Colgate.</p>
<p>morrismm, does seem odd to respond but I have a soft spot for both schools and just like you and I others may look at these ‘archeological’ records for guidance.</p>