<p>I have a few questions about Colgate life- even after I browsed their website.</p>
<li><p>I heard their dorms were really nice- especially compared to other schools. Does Colgate really have fantastic dorms? </p></li>
<li><p>Is the student body filled with a lot of snobby people, a group of smart, preppy, hardworking and nice people? A mix of everything? How would you describe the student body?</p></li>
<li><p>I also heard about a grade deflation at Colgate? I’m not sure how accurate that information was that I read. </p></li>
<li><p>Are students generally happy at Colgate?</p></li>
<li><p>And… the food… haha— Honestly, how is Colgate’s food?</p></li>
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<p>I'm a parent of a Colgate student, but not a student, so my info is second hand but here's some answers:</p>
<p>-- Some of the dorms are really nice. Others are pretty standard. Other than Gate House, none are awful. (Based on other college dorms I saw on the various tours we took of colleges, and dorms where I went to school).</p>
<p>-- I think the student body is very friendly and outgoing. Hardworking. Active.</p>
<p>-- Yes, there is grade deflation at Colgate. </p>
<p>-- Yes, students are generally happy at Colgate.</p>
<p>-- Food - I've heard mixed reviews from my kid - thought it was awful freshman year; likes it better this year. Others seem to like the food more than him though.</p>
<p>I'm the same -a parent, but I'll pass along what I know:</p>
<p>My son is in East. I liked his room. The closets are actually wardrobes with drawers. They couldn't unbunk the beds since all the computer stuff was on one wall. They have a nice view from their window.</p>
<p>Everyone I met on move in day and the tour we took last August was friendly, outgoing and helpful. I didn't get the impression that anyone was a snob nor overly preppy. My son is neither and fits right in. He's made a lot of friends.</p>
<p>Yes, to the grade deflation. We were happy with the B+s he got his first semester.</p>
<p>He is VERY happy and loves it there.</p>
<p>He doesn't care for the food much. He isn't a picky eater, either. But, it is cafeteria food, so I imagine it is average. He isn't starving.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot of what has been said by the previous posters, I would just add a couple things...</p>
<p>The dorms are fabulous, well maintained and constantly being cleaned which is so nice. While they are very old, the interiors are updated and they aren't cold, etc.</p>
<p>Students at Colgate are extremely driven, intelligent and friendly. This schools mentality is definitely work hard and then play hard. Colgate has constantly been recgonized as one of the countries preppiest schools in different guidebooks, the "Official Preppy Handbook" and I suppose justified by the fact that Polo and Vineyard Vines make custom clothing lines for the school. I bring this up, however, because I think what is interesting and impressive about Colgate is while people may be preppy, I wouldn't associate that school with the normal preppy stereotypes that exist.</p>
<p>Grade deflation, or at least lack of inflation, does exist. Especially in more competitive departments; however, when you go to grad. school sessions they will always tell you that they recgonize that when they look at your transcript.</p>
<p>I love Colgate and I think everyone else does.</p>
<p>Food is great, and got even better this year with more "gourment" options available. </p>
<p>I'll chime in- my D is a freshman, we're from the midwest so it's a whole different mentality- not that it's bad. You have a lot of kids from boarding schools so they have been living like this for years. You have a lot of very bright kids that all want to succeed. You have a lot of kids whose parents can pay for the school- some are snobs, some are great. It's just a total mix. I don't think she minds the food- but it is different than huge schools that have a lot of restaurants around. They are creative with the food, trying to change often and trying to be appealing. Classes are hard- she's a perfectionist and she studied many of times rather than play with the others and her grades reflected that.
all in all, she loves it. she's made friends, loves her classes and was excited to be back at school.</p>
<p>I'm a current Colgate student and I wanted to respond to some of your questions. The dorms are pretty great, but what's even better is all of friends you'll make on your hall, upstairs, and downstairs. Three of my best friends (I'm a senior) lived down the hall from me freshman year! </p>
<p>I like the food here a lot, particularly Frank all-you-can eat breakfasts on weekends. If it gets repetitive, most restaurants downtown deliver (Sushi Blues is excellent). </p>
<p>I haven't heard too much talk about grade deflation, although I am pretty sure that there isn't much grade inflation. I think that some students may find it more difficult to get an A than others, and my own grades have always been reflective of how much effort I put into the class combined with how well I'm understanding the material. </p>
<p>I think that the best way to describe students here is that they are motivated and active. Everybody does their own thing (in my house: two do a cappella, one does outdoor education, one wants to be a social worker..you get the picture), and there is a very supportive vibe on campus. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Another Gate student here (though currently abroad):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I heard their dorms were really nice- especially compared to other schools. Does Colgate really have fantastic dorms?
They're livable :) The freshmen dorms aren't shabby but not overly fancy like some of the bigger schoo's new dorms. It's really easy to make your room feel homey with lots of your stuff. Also, we get a kick out of living in suites which usually means private bathroom in each suite! Of course unless you live in dorms with just doubles- which have community bathrooms.</p></li>
<li><p>Is the student body filled with a lot of snobby people, a group of smart, preppy, hardworking and nice people? A mix of everything? How would you describe the student body?
It's a great mix though you'll see a few snobs. Most kids are privileged and know it but they don't verbally show off. It's a turn off for many. Everyone works hard and plays hard. Most come off as pretty smart though you'll get a few lazy ones in classes but generally, we're serious about our academics. No one is kidding when they say that everyone is so friendly on campus! It's true!</p></li>
<li><p>I also heard about a grade deflation at Colgate? I'm not sure how accurate that information was that I read.
It's a ego buster for me since I transferred from a school with some grade inflation :( But I try to make up for it by getting great recommendations from professors (through going to their office hours a lot and working really hard in class) and landing quality internships for grad school. I think it's true as I saw the list for this year's Greek Honor Society (Alpha Sigma Gamma) and not as many people made it as I thought (need 3.5 GPA).</p></li>
<li><p>Are students generally happy at Colgate?
Very much so! Those who feel apathetic usually need a change of scenary for a bit to refresh their attitude. We love each other and have great times.</p></li>
<li><p>And.. the food.. haha--- Honestly, how is Colgate's food?
Well, I stopped doing the meal plan just this year as I live on Broad Street but what I've tried when I ate with my sophomore friends, the food selection definitely looks better and I think it does taste better too. Much healthier than my last school's selection of carbs and starches.</p></li>
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<p>If you have any more quesitons, feel free to PM me!</p>
<p>when one speaks of grade deflation, what is the relative standard used? For example, are the premed math and science courses curved to a C, C+, B-?<br>
What % of the graduates earn Phi Beta Kappa? What % graduate with honors?</p>
<p>I am only speaking as someone who took a tour-
Beautiful campus and the dorms were among the nicest I've seen-
About the preppy/snobby student body-My daughter definitely felt that "vibe". I agree with the poster who said that most kids are "privileged". It was the impression I got also. My daughter is not, and felt that there was no way she would have "fit in". I didn't necessarily agree-I tried to explain that privileged does not necessarily equate with "snobby", but she didn't buy it. Again, this was based on NOTHING but our two-hour tour, so it may not be really fair. Some kids can fit in anywhere, some can't!</p>
<p>While I was there a little while back so grades may not be so extreme anymore, the avg for Chem 101, 102 was C+, Calc III was C+/B- and Econ 101 was B-. Phi Beta Kappa was ~ top 10%. Summa Cum Laude was top 2%, Magna Cum Laude was top 13% and Cum Laude was top 28%. The number graduated with honors in their major was ~ 30%.</p>
<p>Still extreme... my chem teacher for my CORE class curved the grade to C+/B-.... I will never take another science class (except i do need one more :(). Even I'm still concerned about my GPA as I'm in process of applying to grad schools but I've been encouraged by respected people in the academia that it's just good enough that I'm at Colgate!</p>
<p>i am premed and as as for deflation at colgate: chem 101-102 is still a b-/C+ (though raw averages in this class tends to be in a 50s and 60s so im not sure this curve could be called deflation), econ 101 is a b-, psychology is a b-, calc tends to average out to around a C+ but is not curved down. and most natural intro science classes are curved around a B-, but this is like any top college</p>
<p>i know that most non-science classes such as english,history, humanities, philosophy are not deflated at all and tend to be very reasonably graded if you put in the work</p>
<p>and there are classes that people take designed to boost GPA, such as statistics which is the easiest class at colgate, the fball players all take basic acting... so basically from my experience the science classes are tough but in other departments if you put in the work getting an A is feasible</p>