Colgate University Top Questions

Colgate is a small college, in a small town. There's not much to do but get drunk and go to parties. The general consensus is that a party isn't a "cool" party without alcohol, and this upsets me because the drinking environment creates an unhealthy "hookup" environment. As someone who rarely drinks, and probably never would if there were better alternatives, I feel a bit excluded from the fun. I would like to go out and party without watching people get sick and men hump girls that can barely stand. What is more frustrating is that Colgate has some really cool events going on and the attendance rates are just depressing. Provocative speakers, and talented musicians and performers take time out of their hands to enrich our community.

A large part of the social scene is drinking, but if I've found that you don't need to drink to have fun. There are game nights, sponsored by The Game's Afoot!, the Colgate gaming club, that offer nerf battles, Risk, Smash Brothers, Rock Band, and any other game you can think of to play. The movie theater has the latest movies, and there are always concerts and interesting lectures available. You also have the option of joining any number of clubs or recreational sports teams. I'm an Outdoor Education staff member, so I often spend my weekends out skiing, whitewater canoeing, or mountain biking. It's a pretty awesome job, and a great way to get to know people.

Division I athletics are an enormous part of Colgate's extracurricular scene, but the school offers something for everyone. We have a strong arts program on campus, encompassing studio arts, music, and theater. There are political groups, cultural groups, and media communications groups. Room selection will almost certainly place you with others from similar extracurricular interests. In terms of social life, as I've addressed, this is a party-oriented campus, but not everyone parties or drinks. For those who do, we have six fraternities, three bars, and a downtown club-like place called the Jug. For those who don't, we have the Take Two movie series, as well as various student performances (e.g. a capella groups). There's something for everyone.

You think you are involved now...I don't know one Colgate student who isn't the President of Club X and leader in Activity Y. We are all involved and active on campus and that is why we love it so much. Running from one meeting to the next, studying with friends, hanging out between classes, we find time for it all.

Colgate is a fairly large drinking school, which is probably understandable considering its location and its proximity to any major city.. or lack thereof. For the most part, a good number of students party pretty much on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with much smaller days being tuesday and then the almost non-existent sunday night. But there's still plenty to do on Campus that doesn't involve alcohol, there's a number of groups and clubs like the Game's Afoot which has tons of gaming nights throughout the year, movies every friday and saturday night, dance parties and other events. There's also really no pressure to drink if you don't want to from what i've seen, people here seem pretty chill about the whole thing and generally tend to follow a "more for me" attitude if you decide not to. The one thing i do have to say though is, if you're looking for a dating relationship, Colgate is DEFINITELY not the place for you. Colgate's dating scene, although there have been several attempts made this past year to "bring back the date" is virtually non-existent. The main thing is for people to go to the Jug in town at night and come back with random hook-ups for the day.

There is not much to do at Colgate for a social life besides going to the Frats and the Jug( a bar). There are plenty of activities though and events. We also have a really good outdoor Ed. program. I went caving last semester and to D.C. for a rally and Colgate paid for it all.

Everyone plays squash... Actually, quite a few do but a lot of the campus is a varsity athlete and if not then they play a club sport or intramurals are popular. Groups like Breat Cancer awareness, WeFunk, SGAC are very popular. I am apart of the club tennis and ice hockey team. Both are very relaxed, low stress teams. It was a big shock coming from competitive varsity sports to club. Most everyone I know leaves their doors unlocked or open. Colgate feels very safe and is very welcoming, rarely does anyone knock. Athletic events are not well attended but you can always find someone to go with. Guest speakers are spotty, it depends on how well they are advertised. Dating scene is there but Colgate is mostly a hook-up school. Sometimes there are one-night stands sometimes they are repetative, but dating is rare. I met my closest friend on the pre-orientation outdoor adventure that Colgate provides. My other friends are my roommates and who they are friends with through class and clubs. If it were 2am on a Tuesday, you are either sleeping, watching a movie with friends, just leaving the library (it closes at 2) or in the 24 study room. Frats and sororities are a major presence on campus. Frat parties are very popular and rushing a sorority is a big deal sophomore year. Last weekend was Spring Party Weekend. It's a series of bands, parties, BBQs, events and competition that spans the entire weekend. Lots of fun! A Saturday night without drinking, you can go to the CAB sponsored movie at 7 and 9 pm. Watch a movie in the dorm, or create your own fun in the dorm or outside. In the winter, sledding down the ski hill is a popular past-time. Off campus is some good restaurants, a grocery store and a Wise Buys. In the fall there is a farmer's market on Saturday morning.

Colgate brings in a good number of cool, well-known guest speakers, which is fun. Greek life is very prevalent but there are tons of people that do not participate. The Greek community is very welcoming, always hosting parties and the like. There are only four sororities, each with a very specific personality, which I find to be a negative thing - wish they had more options. I think that being on an athletic team or being in Greek life is very necessary to having a group of friends. Freshman year, it's easy to make friends I'd say, but people find their group and click. As a freshman, I've heard that you kind of lose out/miss out in the later years if you don't have a solid group that you've found (whether it's the outdoor education leaders, Greek life, or an athletic team, it's something pretty large that has various outlets).

Greek life is pretty important here. Not dying as administration tried to do to it several years ago. Theres even some dating here. Things can be a little closed down at times socially but the open parties are great and the freshmen all do their own thing up the hill in the dorms. It's a really great thing that they're separated because you really get to know your class year well. Speakers are also amazing. We got the Lama for god sake. If you're into theater we actually have a pretty good program too.

Hockey is the most respected sport here. People spend their time wisely; they study early so tha they can go out every night (for the most part) except for Sundays and Tuesdays.