Colgate University Top Questions

Most students are wealthy, white and straight. There are, however, a multitude of diversity awareness clubs and no one denomination is particularly ostracized. For the most part, the students get along despite differences in socio-economic income, race, religion, major, greek affiliation or sports team. The type of person who would feel out of place at Colgate is someone who is uncomfortable around excessive alcohol, has a weak work ethic, doesn't like snow, doesn't like the feeling of community or honestly doesn't care about their education. The campus is not very politically active. Some students are materialistic big shots who dream and boast about the money they'll make someday whereas others are the genuine good-doers who want to save the world.

As said above, there is very little diversity, which is very easy to understand. I know that if I were non-white, gay, muslim, etc. I would not come here. You would notice this from attending one class and seeing kids in their seersucker/vineyard vines/brooks brothers attire. Cliques dominate the student body, as most people join a frat or sorority or other organization sophomore year and stop communicating with people outside the group for the most part. In addition, the school is small enough that everyone knows who everyone else is. That doesn't mean they are friends or talk to each other, but it does mean when something happens, everyone on campus knows about it. People tend to know a lot more people they don't know than one would expect. I've heard people refer to the school as Colgate High before.

The Colgate campus is rather liberal. Every student can find their niche, depending on how much time they are willing to put into the search. Although there are hints of segregation, students of different backgrounds tend to intermingle quite well.

The best thing about Colgate is the students who go there.

Most students at Colgate are white, privileged, and heterosexual. A lot of the time, they tend to wear the same type of clothing and be involved in the "hookup" scene. It is not fair to judge though, this is an outsiders perspective. Everyone is their own person. (Although, it is hard to overlook the fashion trends at Colgate.) As someone from a much lower socio-economic status, it is overwhelming at times how oblivious most students at Colgate are about their privilege and attempt to engage in critical thought about issues of class. From the conversations I've had, most of the queer community, community of color, and anyone who just doesn't follow the trends of most students here are not comfortable. I would advise anyone who isn't heterosexual, white, of a high SES, or doesn't follow most social norms to find a support group at Colgate fast and stick with it, because you will start to miss having someone to relate to quick.

Colgate students are well dressed, well spoken, and well bred. Most people come from New Jersey, New York, and New England. Despite their minority, international students tend to be very active in their religious and cultural groups. Every year there are numerous cultural events and lectures and dinners offered.

As I said before, Colgate is an incredibly diverse campus, bringing together students of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, religious views, and political opinions. Any student will feel welcome here, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual preference. We have a vast array of awareness groups on campus. Also, as I had mentioned, students can be cliquey, and Greek life has a prominent presence on campus. Students like to party, but not every student drinks (I would say 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} do). Students who graduate from Colgate tend to be successful, and the alumni connection here is very strong. Finally, some Colgate students are politically active, and some are not. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, there will be others here who share your views.

Sweatpants, polos, dresses, you will find it all at Colgate. One thing is for sure though - on the first day of "Spring" make sure you get the memo to wear your flip-flops!

Personally, I've become involved heavily in religious life at Colgate. I'm in the Sojourners Gospel Choir and the Newman (Catholic) choir. If religion is something you're interested in Colgate has a great spiritual body here that from what i've seen isn't forceful or "in your face" about converting people or whatnot. As for what the remainder of the body is like, basically its a standard upstate school. People dress pretty casually, jeans and a tee-shirt is almost always acceptable, we have a relatively small group of minorities on campus, as predominately white but everyone seems pretty comfortable with each other. As a conservative myself, I obviously tend to notice the liberals on campus, of which i've seen quite a few of, but i've also seen a good number conservatives here, with active College Democrats/Republican groups on campus so we are very well represented. All in all, I think Colgate has a pretty diverse and laid back campus where no one would really feel out of place unless they don't have a soul

The Colgate student body is pretty homogeneous and is predominantly a rich white preppy school. There are minorities and international students though. They have a good international student program at Colgate and that's one thing they have done well. Although, Colgate is not diverse, I have a very diverse group of friends from the international community, who come from all over the world. You pretty much choose if you want to have diverse friends or not.