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??
Lafayette is more of an engineering school. Colgate is similar to Oberlin. Colgate and Lafayette have Division I sports programs, fraternities, and sororities. Sports are much less emphasized at Oberlin and it has no fraternities or sororities. If you want to be exposed to world class music, you should come to Oberlin with its conservatory. You should read the student reviews for the schools. People at Colgate complain that there is nothing to do except drink. Besides hundreds of musical events each year, Oberlin has active student groups and other activities. I think you would like the people at Oberlin. Most are friendly, helpful, and positive. Everyone is treated with respect. They want to learn and experience different things. The faculty is friendly, helpful, and accessible as well.
Rather than rush to judgement… Please also note that you will likely find a variety of opinions about how people spend their time at Colgate… That’s just common sense… Just take a look at how Colgate students thrive on campus, off campus and post-graduation.
Go 'gate!
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!
I would classify Lafayette as more of a STEM school than an engineering school. There is an engineering program, but IMO that does not take away, but rather builds on all the STEM fields there.