I may be slightly biased, but in my opinion Connecticut College is one of the best college's in America. It has everything you could ever ask for in a small, liberal arts college.
One of the most exciting things about Conn at the moment is that its on the rise. Last year, Conn got a new president in the form of Lee Higdon, and he is kind of a big deal (look him up on wikipedia if you don't believe me). As a result, there is a newfound sense of excitement on campus that was lacking a few years ago. And even the wider community is starting to take notice as last year, both alumni giving and student enrollment rates rose significantly.
If you decide to become a Camel, you must expect a few things. First, most people confuse Conn for UConn. But do not fret, for as annoying as this is, anyone of particular importance (CEO's, businessmen, activists) will know about Conn and will have a great deal of respect for it.
New London, the town in which Conn resides, is not perfect. At best, its an acquired taste. But on average most students eventually learn to appreciate it. And for those that don't, Mystic Seaport is just right down the street. The important thing to know is that within a radius of ten miles you can find just about anything you would need (beaches, malls, restaurants, a great 24-hr diner, taco bell, etc).
The biggest controversy at Conn of recent date months has been in regards to the college's honor code. Conn has had an established honor code since 1922, which means that students are treated with more respect and trust here than at most colleges. During finals period, for instance, students take self-scheduled, un-proctored exams. But, as of late, there has been a rise in student complaints regarding the code. Campus-wide discussions have been had and committees have been formed, but no one really knows what will come of it. But at this very moment I'd say that for every five students, two of them would probably like to see the code abolished or altered in some fashion.
As for school pride, it depends on what you mean by 'pride.' Most Conn students take pride in knowing that the are part of a great liberal arts community, one of the best in the country. But ultimately Conn is a college for individuals. Its small size allows you as the student to create your own path, partaking in a variety of activities that would be prohibited if you went to a larger university.
Conn could use a boost in sports pride, however. Most students don't attend any sporting events. Part of the problem is most teams, excluding varsity lacrosse and sailing, just aren't that good. But the real problem is that the college's beautiful turf field is a good fifteen minute walk away for most students and lacks any stadium seating. Neither of which should be a big deal; but, in reality, its enough to prevent a large crowd from attending games.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Conn has one of the most aesthetically pleasing campuses around. The best part has to be the huge green that overlooks Long Island Sound. The is especially pleasing in the summer time when students gather to play Frisbee and hangout. And guys, towards the end of the spring expect to see some beautiful girls tanning. C'mon whats not to like. The green also acts as the location for a variety of events throughout the year such as yearly festivals (Earth Day, Fall Weekend, etc), where the whole community gathers to enjoy a nice picnic and company.