<p>I got accepted to Colgate and Bates, both full ride. Which would everyone choose?</p>
<p>bump. anybody?!</p>
<p>Well...I think you may already know the basics but here goes. Colgate is somewhat bigger and has Division 1 sports. I think that Colgate's physical plant is nicer than Bates but both have easy access to lots of outdoor activities if you are into those. Bates is in Lewiston which does not add much to its appeal.</p>
<p>Academically both are top notch and you have great choices. Bates is slightly more arty, this is overstated a bit I think based on my son's Freshman experience, and possibly somewhat more liberal. Conversely Colgate might be very slightly more traditonal with a bigger frat type culture.</p>
<p>Have you visited both and what did you think of the people you saw? You have to pick on the basis of how comfortable you felt at each place, whether distance from home or the areas are a factor, and if there is some very specific major you want to study. I think the first is the most important.</p>
<p>Good luck and congratulations.</p>
<p>I'm slightly worried about people saying that Colgate has a very cliquey atmosphere and since it's mostly composed of WASPs minorities would find themselves hard to fit in. Is it true?</p>
<p>I think you really have to check each out for yourself, can you travel there before making up your mind? There are probably online accepted student resources where you could ask this sort of question. Broad generalizations are tricky as all you need are a few people you like somewhere to hang out with.</p>
<p>You could check the out the statistics on how diverse the student population is but even then you have to see for yourself. I don't think either is particularly diverse compared to larger schools or schools in more urban areas.</p>
<p>Bates is by reputation only as I have only been to Colgate once slightly less "preppy" and a very "friendly school". I also know parents of students at Colgate who say their children love it there.</p>
<p>Maine is perhaps even more isolated than upstate New York. Lewiston is developing a more diverse culture due to an influx of Somali immigrants but it would be a stretch to call the area LA, Chicago, or New York.</p>
<p>I'm intl, I can't visit:( So I'm trying to gather as much information as possible online. Thanks, ctParent!!</p>
<p>I think lyjoo is an international. Saw him/her on the Colgate/Lafayette forum. So, visiting is somewhat out of the question.</p>
<p>I'm also deciding between these few schools and would like to know about the frat culture. Movies didn't give a favourable impression but they are grossly exaggerated I suppose. I hope.</p>
<p>On Colgate: People assume its totally dominated by WASPs but 2010's class was 24% "multicultural", whatever that means. I know TONS of international students who are having no problem fitting in here. My advice? Leave in EAST HALL, the substance free dorm, you'll have no problem meeting other intls. and kids who don't participate in the frat culture (which is grossly exaggerated, by the way). Additionally, Colgate's slightly better respected in academic circles. Good luck deciding! You can't go wrong!</p>
<p>TerrarumOrbis,</p>
<p>I also heard that Colgate is a "drinking" school, with people going out to a bar three~four times a week. Is it kind of a one-sided story also? Would not being a great drinker affect my social life?</p>
<p>I would check out the admitted students websites for each school, if they have one, and look at their school websites to contact any International Students group they might have on campus.</p>
<p>They are both great schools. </p>
<p>There might be slightly more drinking at Colgate than Bates but I think college students are very much alike in this area.</p>
<p>Is there anyone from your school that you can talk to about each place?</p>
<p>I'm also concerned about the drinking thing. I heard their idea of fun is getting wasted in the weekends?</p>
<p>ctParent,</p>
<p>Yeah, I posted a similar question on the Bates message board, but no answer yet. And I haven't heard about the accepted student forum from Colgate admissions office. </p>
<p>Actually I'm the first to get accpeted to these schools in my HS and teachers generally don't know about American colleges. So there's nobody to help me decide :(</p>
<p>Well....not being a drinker now or in college and a parent I have a somewhat different perspective on this issue that you should consider when reading my comments below. Colgate does have fraternities, descendents of the old German Drinking societies I would say (perhaps not fairly given my background...just so you understand my bias) and Bates does not. This does not mean that Bates students drink more or less but just that they are not as organized in their drinking!</p>
<p>In general, many American students do drink a bit, especially when they are first away from home and their parents. Most do calm down after their first taste of freedom. </p>
<p>The legal drinking age is 21 so explosure to alcohol will be somewhat more limited than in some other cultures where alcohol is allowed for younger people. My experience has been that differences across countries where alcohol is present at all is not are not that great. Not sure if this helps at all.</p>
<p>Both Bates and Colgate will do their best to provide social opportunities for the students that are not connected to alcohol. Some feel, not sure about this myself, that alcohol will be more prevelant at schools like these two that are not in major urban centers. </p>
<p>One does not have to drink to fit in at all, particularly at schools high on the academic scale like these two. You should consider requesting "chem free" or "low chem" housing where alcohol is usually not regularly present if this is a possible issue. That would allow you to observe that aspect of college culture from a bit of a distance.</p>
<p>I think there must be International Student groups at both schools and perhaps also graduates in your area you could speak to. The Adminissions office should be able to help you in this area. Now that you are in their job is now to persuade you to come there, as opposed to the earlier dynamic of you selling yourself to them.</p>
<p>ctParent,</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for your helpful advice:) I should contact the Admissions office soon.</p>
<p>There are a few kids who drink 3/4 times a week, but they're in the minority. There's soooo much to do on campus that doesn't involve booze that you could probably fill up your weekend with concerts/plays/movies/friends without touching alcohol. That being said, a lot of people do enjoy drinking on weekends to unwind...</p>
<p>Thanks TO,</p>
<p>It's really hard to choose.</p>
<p>go to colgate no doubts</p>
<p>You can drink as much or as little as you want at Colgate and fit in fine and no one else is going to care either way.</p>