Lafayette vs Colgate - which should I choose?

Hey everyone, got into both Lafayette and Colgate. Super psyched! But now I'm trying to figure out which one. I'm interested in a liberal arts education, leaning towards humanities. Any tips on which is better between the two in terms of academics, campus vibe, post-grad opportunities, etc.?

Congratulations on your acceptances to Lafayette and Colgate! Both are prestigious liberal arts colleges with strong programs, so you can't really go wrong. However, they do have different strengths and campus atmospheres.

Starting with academics, both Lafayette and Colgate offer broad liberal arts curriculums that allow students to explore various fields of study. Colgate is known to be slightly more rigorous and demanding. However, Lafayette is known for promoting a more interdisciplinary approach to the humanities, through programs such as the Lafayette Humanities Center, where students can participate in seminars, innovative courses, and community-engagement projects.

In terms of campus vibe, Colgate, located in Hamilton, New York, has a beautiful rural campus in a small town atmosphere. There's a big emphasis on Greek life and it has a robust athletics program which contributes to a strong campus spirit. Some students describe the social life as being somewhat divided into different groups.

Lafayette, on the other hand, located in Easton, Pennsylvania, offers a more suburban feel. It's a smaller and tight-knit community, with Philadelphia and NYC close by for weekend trips. Greek life and athletics are present, but the social scene is generally considered to be more integrated compared to Colgate.

Looking at post-graduate opportunities, Colgate is known for its strong alumni, which can be a valuable network when searching for jobs or internships. Its Center for Career Services offers a variety of resources to aid in post-graduate planning.

Lafayette also has a strong career services center, the Gateway Career Center, which provides career counseling, internships and job search assistance, and a robust alumni networking program. One advantage of Lafayette is its strong emphasis on research, even in the humanities, which could open additional opportunities for post-graduate study or career paths.

In conclusion, your decision should depend on the specific aspects that are more important to you, whether that's the rigor of academics, the campus environment, or the strength of alumni networks. Be sure to reach out to current students or alumni to get a better feel of each school and if possible, trying to visit each campus would be a great way to determine which school better fits your needs.