Frequently Asked Questions About Colby College
This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Abigail St. Johns, a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Colby College, in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.
What’s Covered:
- Are College Classes Taught by Professors or Graduate Students?
- What Makes a Student Stand Out in Applications?
- How Much Does the Average Student Pay in Tuition?
- How Many Students Study Abroad?
Are College Classes Taught by Professors or Graduate Students?
Colby College is an undergraduate institution, so there are no graduate students here. That means that your classes will always be taught by professors, which is a great advantage compared to other institutions, especially as the professors at Colby have some of the highest degrees in their fields. This also means that you won’t be competing for the attention of your professors with graduate students.
Upperclassmen students might be teaching assistants in your classes, helping out with grading papers, running study sessions, and having office hours, but the classes themselves are all taught by professors.
What Makes a Student Stand Out in Applications?
No one thing guarantees your admission, but there are a few things that can increase your chances. Colby admission officers look at a student’s achievement, involvement, and overall fit when they review applications. There is no perfect combination of extracurriculars and test scores, but they do want to make sure you can add value to the Colby community.
Admission officers look for students who are willing to collaborate with their professors and peers. Colby students are more collaborative than competitive, so students study and break down problems together. This is what admissions officers mean when they say that they are looking for students who will fit into the campus. They want to make sure you will fit into the college’s collaborative environment.
How Much Does the Average Student Pay in Tuition?
Colby has committed to covering 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students without them needing to take out student loans. The cost of a Colby education right now is $75,000, and your FAFSA information will determine how much your family is expected to contribute to your education. If your FAFSA determines that your family can contribute only $2,000 to your education, the rest of your cost, the $73,000, will be provided in the form of grants and through work-study opportunities. These forms of assistance do not require you to pay anything back.
Many colleges do not meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, or they expect you to cover the difference by taking out student loans. In addition, many colleges will try to incentivize you with merit-based scholarships. Colby College wants to help students financially as much as they can, and with their comprehensive financial packages that meet all of your demonstrated financial needs, Colby doesn’t provide merit-based scholarships.
How Many Students Study Abroad?
Slightly more than half of the students at Colby study abroad during their time at the college. The percentage varies depending on the department each student is in. For example, if you are majoring in global studies at Colby, you are required to study abroad. Students mostly study abroad during the fall or spring for a full semester. There are more than 200 programs in 70 different countries, so there are plenty of places from which to choose.
