Colgate University Top Questions

Professors are very invested in the lives of their students and genuinely encourage success. Classes are generally small and Colgate boasts about its small teacher:student ration. The amount of work you do depends on the type of student you are and what you decide to study. Sociology majors don't study, biochemistry and astrogeophysics majors do. Participation is common and group applications and projects are somewhat common. Students have intellectual conversations outside of class and going out for dinner with a professor or babysitting his kid are not uncommon. The academic requirements provide an amazing foundation for approaching worldly problems even beyond the scope of your particular major. The learning process, intellectual growth and real-world applications are emphasized in every class.

Most classes at Colgate are small, and the professors will almost always learn your name. There are some requirements that force you to take classes outside your major, which is good. I feel well-rounded, and everyone finishes those before the end of sophomore year. The "best" part about academics is that you only have to take four classes per semester to graduate, or sometimes three if you have AP credits, summer classes, etc. It's interesting that my friends at state schools are taking five or six per semester, but I'm getting a "better" education than them. The majority of classes I have taken have been no work, then study for the mid term, then no work, then study for the final. I think this reflects on the academic attitudes of Colgate students pretty well. As an econ major, I'd say that Colgate's education (despite actually costing $45K/year) is "cost effective" since you get a degree with a good name for not that much work. As an econ student, I notice people only care about getting good grades in order to secure a good banking job. The good thing is, a lot of people do get those jobs.

Academics at Colgate are the best part about Colgate- by far. The professors are outstanding, classes are small and challenging. Students study here a LOT. It's not an easy school, people really want to get an education. Class participation is a must and there's no such thing as skipping class. People have intellecutual conversations outside of class all the time. Professors invite students to their houses, to babysit their kids, to hang out etc. It's a very warm community. We have a core curriculum that is pretty easy to fulfill.

Professors at Colgate make it their business to know each of their students names. It is very easy to approach professors with questions or just to have a random conversation with them. The atmosphere at Colgate is very welcoming and no one feels left out.

Great Professors who really care about their students.

I was promised a great education when I got accepted into Colgate. And a great education I got. Most of my professors have pushed me past my limits, influencing me to go the extra mile. There are some great professors here, and I am definitely thankful for that. Although Colgate's academic requirements sometimes seem a bit much at times, I know I'll be glad I endured the journey when I graduate. I've had friends that studied abroad remind me when school stresses me out Colgate's standards don't define the world's standards, and I won't always be this stressed. A warning for newcomers: get sleep and stay healthy! Take time to spend with yourself and relax a bit.

All my professors know me by name and my old professors greet me when I pass by. It's great to have that connection with all your professor--it really helps when you need advice on a paper or just somebody to talk to about what's on your mind. My favorite class is Japanese (perhaps 'cause I'm a major). Aizawa-sensei is an engaging, personable teacher. Because of him, I feel nearly ready to study abroad in Japan next year.

Colgate has a very intimate academic program. You will get to know your professors well, and they usually have generous office hours for students. Their focus is on teaching, not research. Classes are small, and classes are tough. Colgate definitely has an intense academic program that will challenge you to write long papers, understand difficult subject matter, and think outside the box. Expect to spend from 20-40 hours per week on studies. Most courses are graded on a curve, which can be intimidating because everyone around you will be incredibly intelligent and well-spoken. It's not difficult to meet Colgate's CORE or distribution requirements, and you'll probably enjoy some of those classes more than you had expected.

As I get ready to enter the "real world" it is strange to think that I will no longer be having class dinners, be invited to professors houses, and meet with my advisor. For four years this has been a part of my life and something I have loved about Colgate. You go to a school like Colgate for the intimate relationships and special attention from teachers, but Colgate goes above and beyond meeting all expectations.

Academics, are obviously tough. But I have to say, professors are incredibly helpful, my physics professor this semester for example would hold help sessions every tuesday and thursday nights to make sure that people could finish their homework. Also, with the exception of my intro psych class, every one of my professors knows my name which impressed me a lot. And the course selection is great too, we have the standard courses like Organic Chem or Calc or History, but then our Core courses are things like the evolution of the atomic bomb or Paradox and Infinity or the Atlantis Debate. If you came to school to learn and not necessarily to get a job Colgate is a great school for that. Although if you want education for a job, Colgate is pretty damn good for that too.

I love the academics at Colgate! It's the best part of Colgate. I haven't had a bad professor yet, and most of my classes have been really interesting and challenging. I learn so much here. Most professors know your name and talk to you outside of class if they see you. You might even get closer to some and even visit their house and have dinner with them.

About half of my professors know my name, I'm in a lecture class of about 75 so it is difficult for her to know everyone. Neither of my Chemistry professors ever learned my name. The library is the hot spot every night. While there is the option to go out, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, most students don't go out at every opportunity. We just built a brand-new library that is gorgeous, with a cafe inside. Most people study in groups of 2-5 and certain floors are more social that others. Participation in class varies from class to class, in my lecture class there is little to know discussion but my language class is all discussion. Topics that students talk about outside of class vary as well. Some more intelligent than others, but it depends on who you are with. An education at Colgate is either geared towards getting a job or learning for its own sake depending on which courses you take. Sciences and math are all about job skills, English and humanities are all about the learning

Classes are relatively small and this is nice because the education feels more intact and better, however, when signing up for classes it can be a nuisance because there are lots of classes you are unable to get into because they cap the class size. Some of the work I find to be not so bad, while there are some teachers that whip out unexpectedly hard grading. Professors are generally easy to meet with outside of class and the ones I've taken classes from have had a genuine interest in my education - I haven't run into any jerks yet.

Very intimate academic setting. Registration here is SO brutal. Other than that I have no complaints about the academics here. Professors are great, they all get to know you. Very few large classes.

My favorite part about Colgate when applying to schools was its emphasis on student/professor relationships. I came from a small program within my high school where I had two teachers with whom I was forced to call by their first names and knew very well. At Colgate, I have found such amazing professors who are willing to talk anytime, anywhere, and about anything. Just today I sat in my professor's office arguing about current events for an hour, and I babysit another professor's children. In terms of my classes, I never cease to be amazed by the teachers and students around me in their ability to challenge themselves and each other to think and discuss new things every day. I am all about class discussion so I chose my majors because of it (Educational Studies and Sociology) and I simply love class time.

You are expected to go to every class (some teachers mandate it) and to participate a lot in class discussions. Professors are nice and more than willing to help you with anything that you need.

There is no mistake that Colgate is ranked so highly in the nation for its academics. Colgate is intellectually stimulating and challenging, and I have every confidence in the education that I am receiving. Students, in turn, work hard. However, there is no negative competition that I have seen; students tend to be very helpful towards each other. Although I never have experienced the frequent dinners with professors that the Admissions office likes to brag about, several of my friends have. All of your professors know your name and will say hi if you see them around town. Obviously, the professors are intelligent, but they are also committed to being teachers (not just smart people), and they tend to be very helpful outside of the classroom. It seems like every different department has its own favorite professor of the students as well.

Classes are hard but rewarding.

Academics at Colgate are very solid. The professors who are awful don't get tenured. Those who stay are legends in their own right. It is helpful to choose classes based on professors.com, and it is best to choose classes that teach something that cannot be learned elsewhere. Colgate is definitely a work hard - play hard school, and most students are very diligent about doing well. The competition here is much lower than what may be at other schools, except in classes where it is graded on a curve (most Econ classes).

Colgate does need more discussions in class. On the other hand, you have great classmates who really motivate you to work harder and smarter.