Colgate University Top Questions

A lot of students are really involved at Colgate, especially because we are a D1 school. If you are looking to play a D3 sport, you might initially be disappointed because it's either D1 or club sports, but you'll probably find a niche after a few years. A ton of students are involved in Greek Life, but I no longer think that's so terrible. There is are low key frats and sororities that offer mixers and brother/sisterhood without all the hazing. Also, I opted out of Greek life and still feel strongly a part of the Colgate community. You just have to keep an open mind. Another thing that's cool about Colgate is that you can change things. Through "The Psychology of Leadership," a course that is a part of the (optional) Sophomore Year Experience, students invest in a semester long project concerning an issue they would like to change at Colgate or Hamilton, the world, etc. This empowers students to create their own social options and to even seek funding for them! Past projects include "Bring Back the Date," which received funding to provide dating options for Colgate students, and "Ba" which provided students with the opportunity to engage in more authentic conversations on campus. I think this is a unique feature of Colgate that exemplifies how things will work out because the faculty and students are so passionate about their Colgate experience.

There are over 400 registered activities on campus a semester and 96{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of all of the students stay on campus during the weekends...there is always something to do.

Students live in dorms for 2 years; Greek housing or apartments for last 2 years; and optional off campus last year. You meet your friends through your initial living arrangments and Greek/social life if you choose. Also other activities help you meet students. The school is small, so you may hear of people, then run into them and become good friends from there. Big going out nights are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Seniors choose to go out a lot on Mondays and Thursdays because there are less drunk freshmen. The Jug is the most famous bar because 19 year olds get it. It's ridiculous and also somewhat famous. Some people choose not to party, and that's ok too. Honestly, it's a really accepting place. Fun doesn't mean drunkenness if you don't want it too. Off campus there are movie theaters and Syracuse (mall and civilization) is 45 minutes away. There are also gorgeous places to go. Skiing and outdoor wintery stuff, etc. Lake Moraine has sailboats and stuff for students. Colgate is ultra traditional - go to the website because all they say is tradition this and that. But it's a lot of fun and really unifies the student body and university itself.

Rugby is a very populat Club sport team on the Colgate campus. I am involved with Club Volleyball which is great because it is not too serious and is not a great time commitment since we have two scheduled practices per week. Intramural sports are great to keep you active and to give you time to enjoy yourself with your friends. Most students feel comfortable to leave their dorm rooms open which provides a friendly atmosphere. Each year Colgate has Spring Party Weekend which is basically the last weekend that all students go out before finals in the spring semester. A band is hired to play on Whitnall Field and all students completely disregard their school work for this one week. It's a great way to enjoy the weather [if it's nice out] and just have a great, stress free time with your friends. My brother graduated from Colgate right as I entered in as a freshmen and this is the one weekend he keeps coming back for. Greek life is very prevalent among the Colgate students. For males I believe it is a much bigger deal since fraternity pledge classes are small forcing the students to truly bond with one another. Also most fraternity members live in their respective houses further isolating themselves from non greek males. Sororities on the other hand are not a big deal at all. Sororities only enable girls to attend mixers with fraternities as well as formals. Half of my friends are in one and half are not and to be honest, all the guys don't even realize who is in one and who is not in one.

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are probably the most popular nights to go out.

I am the President of my class and love it. I plan activities for my class and combine with other classes as well, promoting interactions amongst the many different groups on campus. The dating scene is virtually non-existent; random, and occasionally, long-term hook-ups are extremely prevalent. Drunken make-out sessions are essentially equal to shaking someone's hand. The days for going out are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Social life essentially revolves around the Greek scene, but if you aren't involved or interested in being Greek, or don't like to drink, you can always find other parties at the townhouses, dorms or apartments or attend many of the sober offerings, such as free movies, game nights, formals or one of the many lectures, guest speakers or performances constantly happening on campus.

There are many things to get involved with at Colgate and a majority of the student body takes advantage of this. Most people play some sort of sport either varsity, club, or intramural. There are also a lot of clubs and organizations that cater to almost anything you can dream of. If there is a club that does not exist it is easy to get a new one started and the participation is usually pretty good.

So varied. Sorry, but I can't answer that one. There are lots of places to drink and not as many places not to.

It's hard to say what the most active groups on campus are, because for the most part, colgate lacks enough space to host any large student run events. dorms are generally left open, though its recommended you lock your actual room door. Again, students are rather apathetic and don't attend too many events. Spring Party Weekend is the major event on campus- 3 days (10 if you count the week prior) of drunkenness. Most people keep pretty late hours academically, especially during finals. Though, it's not uncommon for people to party 4 days a week.

The social life at colgate is great for such a small school. 5 out of the 7 nights a week there is something going on for the particularly party driven student. For those who choose not to enjoy the frats or the infamous jug, there are many other options, including theater events, free movies, music, etc. Speakers are very well attended, as Colgate draws an impressive crowd of eloquent and intelligent people to bestow their knowledge upon us. There are some great yearly events that draw major crowds, including spring party weekend, which is a weekend in spring where groups hold events that allow people to have fun before the onset of finals.