Hi there,
I am an international student and I have been accepted into these three great LACs. I want to study Comp. Science, Physics, Mathematics and will most probably major in one of these, but I am also interested in English Literature, possibly a minor. The financial aid packages are similar. So now I am trying to choose between these three schools.
Any suggestions??
While I am a Colgate alumnus what I have to offer should not make any difference regarding how you approach the question of where you will be happy and successful.
What to do… Why not evaluate the campus vibe and those further education and career outcomes by going to the primary sources themselves, i.e. the admissions offices of the 3 schools with a clear and concise request for information on graduates’ outcomes? Then overlay the style, timeliness and content of what you receive over the profiles of the colleges that you have gleaned directly from them and also anecdotally (seasoning the latter with a pinch of salt). Lastly, look hard at the curricula, faculty depth and quality, course offerings’ availability and facilities, in your case those of the sciences especially. Also note that Colgate has a core curriculum for all students- a great asset, in my opinion.
As parentgeorgia mentioned, I imagine you have not visited these places yourself so your task is that much more difficult. In my case, I visited Colgate and fell in love with the look and feel of the place- it is a magnificent setting with terrific facilities such as Ho Science Center and Case Library/Center for Info tech- during my last high school year and knew immediately that I would fit in and also grow there. Further, I knew some families of then-current students and also recognized that certain Colgate curricular and extracurricular offerings might suit me very well. “My” result is a life-long attachment to Colgate, its ongoing campaigns to raise money for more financial aid and capital plant additions and improvements and participate in student enrichment programs.
Sorry for the digression but I thought you might enjoy hearing about my enthusiasm- grounded as it is in the school.
I am sure that you will find similarly commited alumni out and about from Lafayette and Oberlin.
Best of luck with your selection!
Go 'gate!