Bates, Colby or Kenyon

<p>I’m having a difficult time deciding between these three schools. I feel I would fit in at any of these three for different reasons. Looking for a social, friendly place but I’m not a big partier. Would either play a varsity sport (may depend on where I go) and if not would definitely do IM or Club. Most likely will major in Bio with the intent of going to med school. Would like to definitely spend a semester abroad (hope I can do this as both a pre-med and athlete!). I’m from a upper middle class suburb but I do value diversity and I have friends of a wide range of racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. When I visited Bates and Colby I felt more hipster and when I visited Kenyon I felt more preppy! If you had to summarize each school in a few words, how would you describe them?</p>

<p>I can’t speak for Kenyon but Colby and Bates both sound like great options. Bates is a little more hipster and Colby is a little more outdoorsy, but they are both really similar, and strong in sciences, which is good if you want to go to med school. I also know that both school are really into sports. Neither of the Maine schools are very racially diverse, but Bates is probably a little less homogeneous.</p>

<p>Agree^^^. It’s hard to go abroad and be a pre-med and an athlete…doable, but you need to hit the first semester with a plan, and a compatible major. You don’t have to major in science to be pre-med, and a lab science major would be tricky unless you are playing club, or perhaps a runner…Bates has a large percent of students go abroad and a great pre-med committee.</p>

<p>As a Batesie myself I can say that while Bates isn’t that diverse, it does strongly support diversity, and is a significant part of the culture at Bates. Bates is a pretty sporty place, a lot of students are athletes, but that doesn’t dominate the social scene. I know that Kenyon has a very strong emphasis on writing. I also have a few friends at Bates that are premeds but it is very structured, unfortunately. I agree with OldBatesieDOc that it is hard to study abroad and play a varsity sport.</p>