Located in Hamilton, New York, Colgate University is a small, private liberal arts college that’s considered both a Hidden and a Little Ivy. And yes, it’s named after the toothpaste Colgate. Like a lot of the liberal arts colleges of the Northeast, the most popular majors are econ, poli sci, English, psych, and bio – also known as the most popular majors across the board.
Colgate is hard to get into, period. It had a 12% acceptance rate for first-year students last cycle, and a 12% acceptance rate for transfers. However, despite being the same percentage, that doesn’t mean equally as challenging. Remember, you’re filling in the spots of students who have left Colgate, and most don’t. Last year, around 500 students applied and only 62 were admitted. That doesn’t mean transferring to Colgate is a fever dream, though – it can be done, and we have some tips.
Colgate’s Requirements
Let’s start with what Colgate University requires of their transfer applicants, we bet it’s totally complicated!
Well then! Most schools have a lot of complicated requirements for minimum number of credits, but after further research, it seems Colgate only uses your existing credits to determine your class standing (like sophomore or junior), and they require that you take at least half your credits at Colgate to graduate.
Here's what you’ll need for the Colgate application:
Transfer Common Application or Coalition Application
Essays (more on this later)
Official high school and college transcripts
An academic evaluation/recommendation
Transfer college report (a Dean or advisor has to fill this out)
Transfer mid-term report for your in-progress grades
And your “optional” requirements:
Test scores, you can self-report and they do superscore
Arts supplements
Document of “athletic achievement,” they are D1 after all.
Your “digital presence,” including (but not limited to): “creative works, social media profiles, performances, online boutiques, and community pages.” Seems like a slippery slope on that one.
“Other materials” and don’t worry guys, the description here is also vague! They accept “samples of students' achievements in fields such as journalism, student government, community service, etc.” but like, isn’t that already in the Common App?
More on their requirements and process for transfer applicants .
Pick the Right Classes
If you’re applying to Colgate because of their econ major, it's wise to stick to classes that align with that narrative. Loading up on courses that deviate from this trajectory isn’t helping your application.
But yes, there's the unavoidable reality of core classes—they're akin to the obligatory serving of vegetables. If you don’t end up getting into Colgate as a transfer, you’ll want to make sure you’re still progressing through your degree at the right rate. You might have a math or science or foreign language to take!
But for electives and major classes? They should seamlessly integrate into the specialized area you're developing. Don’t take a bunch of international relations classes if you want to be an econ major. Duh.
Get Really Good Grades
Colgate says you need at least a C in your classes to transfer credits over, but says nothing about minimum GPA requirements. With a 12% acceptance rate, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re gonna need all As to be competitive.
We give you permission to skip the classes that gave you a hard time in high school unless you absolutely must take them. If you want to be a writer, you don’t need to struggle through a comp sci class, no matter what Twitter (we will not be calling it X) trolls might say. We’re not saying take easy A’s, but you should take classes you’re genuinely interested in and that you want to attend.
And don't sleep on office hours! Meeting with your professors can do wonders for your grades, plus, you'll be glad you did when you need those sweet recommendation letters.
Develop Your Niche
Surprise! You need more than classes and good grades to prove that you’re passionate about your academic subject of choice. As we said before, duh!
You need to show depth – how have you engaged with your stated major? Have you explored it, or done anything concrete to advance your goals? Have you joined Econ clubs? Tried researching with a professor? Found internships? Well, then go do that.
Btw, this is not just about boosting your application; getting involved in your current school is crucial. Establishing connections there isn't just for show — it's about building a support system in case your transfer aspirations don't pan out.
Write Good Essays
Colgate has one essay question, the most standard one out of the transfer bunch:
Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve (250-650 words).
This is asking two questions: why are you transferring and why Colgate?
NUMBER ONE RULE: Do not bash your current school. It’s tacky! Classless! Instead of talking about how awful the vibes are at your school, focus on how Colgate fits your needs better. This essay follows a pretty easy formula:
Origin Story – the “why” behind what you want to study. Weekly trips to the library for storytime led you into a world of books and poetry, and that’s what you want to study.
The Elephant in The Room – the “why” behind your transfer. We know there are a lot of reasons, all extremely valid, for leaving your current school. However, those are not all great options for essay writing. Instead, talk about how as you’ve explored your niche into 18th century French poetry, you’ve found your options for research limited and found the perfect opportunities at Colgate instead.
Evidence – You’ll talk about upper-level classes, professors, and extracurriculars at Colgate that a) aren’t offered at your current school and b) prove your interest.
We hope these tips help you with your Colgate transfer app. Good luck, keep your grades up, get plugged into your local community just in case, and keep exploring that niche!.
If you need help with your transfer applications, reach out to us today.