<p>Colgate University
Academics:
Colgate University, “the epitome of a work hard, play hard school,” provides “a rigorous academic environment, an outstanding student and faculty population, and an abundance of social opportunities” to its “preppy,” “intelligent-but-not-nerdy” student body. Students report that “Colgate is academically strong in the humanities, such as political science, English, psychology, and economics” and “also has good natural sciences programs that are enhanced by the new science building,” a $56.3 million structure that houses 40 research labs, 13 teaching labs, and a teaching/research greenhouse. All students here must complete a set of general education requirements that “force you to look beyond your major work,” sometimes leading to discovery of new, unanticipated areas of interest. “It is not uncommon for students to double major in two vastly different departments” as a result of their gen-ed experiences, students tell us. Colgate’s size and location foster community-building; the “administration and faculty don’t just work at Colgate, but live Colgate. In this way, they are dedicated to your education and create a passionate, hands-on, and inspiring place to learn,” translating into “great opportunities to research with great professors and be in leadership positions.” The workload is tough here; “at the end of a semester you may have four final exams and 80 pages of writing to do, but that absolutely won’t stop you from going out on Friday night. (Saturday night too. And Wednesday night. Maybe Monday also.)”</p>
<p>Student Body:
“When looking from the surface, Colgate students don’t appear diverse” because of the “undeniable majority of white students all in Uggs and Oxfords,” but “although most students dress alike, there are great discussions in and out of the classroom because each Colgate student is actually very different from the next once you have the opportunity to talk to them.” Even so, just about everyone here concedes that “this is a very preppy campus.” Students tend to be “very laid-back, but in that perfectly groomed, ‘I just rolled out of bed looking this good’ kind of way.” They are also "passionate about something. Everyone has her own thing to enjoy. It could be a recreational club, a dance group, a community service group, an academic or research project, a student club, etc. You find that a lot of Colgate students are active members in one way or another</p>
<p>Campus Life:
Colgate students take pride in the fact that they can handle both demanding academics and a bustling party scene. “The daytime is for work, nighttime (except Tuesday) is for fun,” explains one student. “If you know where to look, you can find a party five days a week, and definitely on weekends.” Some warn that “The social/party scene around here can get a bit frustrating for some girls at times. If you like to be in serious relationships, Colgate is going to be a whole different ballgame for you…mostly the students here are interested in hook-ups,” but by and large student feedback on the party scene is positive. Greek life “makes up a lot of the social scene, but the school itself provides many opportunities open to the entire campus that are generally very well attended,” including “banquets, sports events, movies, etc.” Colgate football and hockey are “extremely popular;” the school is “Division I in athletics, which is unique for a small liberal arts school. This aspect brings a lot of school spirit and adds to the sense of community here.” There’s “not much to do in Hamilton” other than “three main bars and The Jug,” the latter being a “legendary” "bar/mosh pit that underclassmen go to after making the long trek from the dorms up on campus into town</p>