<p>Thanks, everyone, for your input. We will be checking out Colgate and Cornell during spring break. If we have time we will visit Hamilton, and save Bucknell for another trip.</p>
<p>mhc48, Here in SoCal there is a definitely more of an awareness of Colgate than Bucknell and Hamilton, and I'm sure that would help with alumni support/job placement. </p>
<p>bluebayou, I completely agree with you about Greek life, but my son does have friends in "liberal" fraternities (at Berkeley, UMich and Wisconsin), so that's what he's imagining when he says he wants to go Greek. In addition to Colgate and Cornell, we will be visiting Duke and Vanderbilt, so he's in for an interesting exposure to different kinds of college cultures.</p>
<p>snap412, I think you're right, but the bottom line is that my son says he would feel more comfortable with a like-minded student body. Too bad there aren't more schools for free-thinking radicals with football and fraternities!</p>
<p>Do Colgate. I visited all 3, and I meet people everywhere I go when I wear my Colgate shirt. I never have that experience in my Bucknell or Hamilton shirt. Colgate people are just so alive and all over the country. Being from the westcoast, it meant a lot to me.
plus the school is beautiful and academically great. I will do early descision at 'gate!</p>
<p>I agree with mhc48. I'm a junior @ 'Gate and the alumni are really great. I had a great internship this past summer with an alumni. Also agree with JBou. It's funny how closely connected all Colgate alum are! Just the other day I was walking through the grocery store parking lot, in my upstate NY hometown, and an elderly gentleman stopped this young woman with a toddler who had a 'gate jacket on and he said the year he graduated and struck up a conversation. I was in a rush, or else I would have stopped and joined in the conversation as well! In my opinion, this type of friendliness is unparalleled by any other college.</p>
<p>D's very close friend attends Hamilton. She is far from conservative and has found a large arty crowd to hang out with. I don't know how representative her experience is.</p>
<p>Another good friend who attends Colgate is conservative and in a sorority and not arty or edgy at all. Again, don't know how representative this is or just individual cases.</p>
<p>I have a S at Colgate and a D at Bucknell. Both are great schools, both have beautiful campuses and I think both have similar students, intelluctually and otherwise. Interestingly, both of my kids had (have) a liberal roommate from California their first year. (Reference to previous entries) </p>
<p>My niece graduated from Colgate. She is very conservative and says she often felt like a minority. </p>
<p>My take as a P- many Colgate kids are very wealthy, but very nice and respectful. There are many opportunities at Colgate. Yes many of the students are athletic, but neither my niece or S are particularly so. My S sings in a a cappella group and joined a fraternity. My niece remained independent. Both LOVE Colgate.</p>
<p>My D at Bucknell is a first year, but so far seems to be very happy. Move in day at Bucknell was the best experience (we also have a D at Cornell). Everyone was so helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. They had a great orientation.</p>
<p>Interesting that someone in a prior entry said they meet more Colgate people on Wall St. Kenneth Langone, financial backer, major stockholder and considered co-founder of Home Depot, and also former director of the New York Stock Exchange (often refered to as "Wall St.") is a Bucknell grad.</p>
<p>yllukevdk--I'd suggest you start a new thread on each sight (Colgate and Bucknell) and give more info. It should include your stats (gpa, sat,etc) and interests. Maybe then you could get some more informed and better opinions.</p>