My daughter was lucky enough to be admitted to Bates and is considering it and a few other liberal-arts colleges. We had the chance to visit last Fall, and were just blown away by how friendly the campus felt. We’re midwesterners, so it isn’t unusual for us to say hello to a stranger, or vice versa, but the people at Bates just seemed crazy friendly. A janitor working on one of the floors we walked through gave us a big smile and hello, and so many people all over campus made eye contact, smiled, or said hi. I got into several good conversations with random people in the bookstore, near the stadium, and on the middle of campus. We weren’t there for any event, either. So my question is this: how typical, or not, was our experience?
I thought midwesterners were known for their friendliness?
I know several students at Bates and they have been very happy. Great food helps. 
I would say it is typical. Bates is a happy and harmonious group of students and politically balanced. Bates kids tend to give back as well. If you look at Washington Monthly rankings on altruistic criteria Bates is 8th overall for LACs and #1 for community service hours.
As stated above, maybe good food does help.
If your daughter attends I believe she will have a shot at the new residence complex for under classman.
Bates also has a great location for travel to and from the Midwest because Portland airport is so close and the access is easy.
First, congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance.
My son just graduated last May. He had a wonderful four years. He loved it so much he has already given a very nice donation as an Alum and been to several alum club events in Boston (it’s a very active alum club.)
IMO, the kids are down to earth and hard working but also have fun. They are also very involved in some sort of EC. S was on student govt for 4 years, on the sailing team and in the DJ club, He also had a radio show one year - no experience necessary.
His last year he lived in one of the houses that is broken up into apartments and while we were visiting the cleaning person was coming down the stairs and stopped to chat with us. Lovely person who told me how nice it was to meet us and how great my son was - they were on a first name basis and it was obvious from our convo they chatted often.
Each year the graduating class chooses who they want to give the Baccalaureate address. Last year they chose the guy in the dining hall who makes the eggs. It was amazing the things he knew about the students and it was obvious he cherished the relationship he had with them and they with him.
Bated also has a lovely tradition at graduation where all the “ordinary” staff gather and greet them as walking across the quad during the processional.
My daughter toured Bates twice (as a junior and senior) and we felt the same way- it’s the epitome of what I call a “heads up” campus. Students making eye contact with you as you pass, lots of hellos, lots of smiles. Everyone seemed so friendly, outgoing, dynamic, and very, very welcoming. I consider it one of the happiest campuses I have seen.
lr4550 - where did your daughter end up going? And why?
@“Brother Ray 24” she is a freshman at Middlebury. Ultimately she chose it for a few other reasons- the slightly larger size, the quaint New England location, the ski area, strong environmental studies and sciences, strong dance department, and she loved the campus. Middlebury felt a little more intense campus vibe/culture wise than Bates but not so much that it was problematic for her (and not nearly as intense as some others she visited). She went ED and if that hadn’t worked out Bates would certainly have been in the mix of RD applications. She really liked it. But Midd has been an amazing fit for her, she couldn’t be happier!
FWIW her cousin got into Bates ED this year, was far and away his top choice school, I know he will thrive there
I cannnot resist joining in on this one! Yes, Brother, what you experienced is typical of Bates. My daughter is a current junior, we have visited quite a number of times including before she applied, after acceptance, and of course since she has enrolled. The campus community is very warm, friendly, “heads up” (love that expression!), students as well as staff/faculty. We have found people to be engaging and helpful everywhere. I, too, am a midwesterner and have been so pleasantly surprised to experience the atmosphere at Bates. I hope that you will be able to visit again this month before your daughter makes her decision.
And in addition to the great food, great classes, fun traditions, and terrific employees, I would add one more observation that may be a positive influence. It seems to me that quite a good percentage of students are involved in real dating/long term relationships with fellow students. A majority of my daughter’s friends have real boyfriends/girlfriends. Perhaps this contributes to campus happiness. This old parent thinks it might.
I hope this was not too much off topic and does not dissuade any prospies
My daughter is a junior at Bates. Yes, Bates has the happiest, friendliest, and most down-to-earth group of students I’ve ever seen on any campus. The staff and faculty are also very approachable and helpful. Can’t say enough good things about “commons” and the food.