Hey!
My son just got accepted to Bates and is really excited. We’re going to visit in a couple of weeks.
We are from western Washington state, so the gloom and short days won’t be a shock to my son, but I’m wondering about the social scene there. Almost half the students don’t have any financial aid, and the school costs almost $70K a year, so I’m figuring there are a lot of wealthy preppy New England kids there. Is that a fair statement? Is it welcoming and diverse, or is there a social clique? A friend of mine said that students there are very New England – dressing up for class, ironed shirts, etc., as opposed to the “shoes-optional” feel we have here on the west coast.
Either way is not a deal-killer – I just want to get a feel for the social fit is for my kid, who’s more a literature/sci-fi/D&D geek than a traditional pretty.
There are plenty of wealthy kids, but there are also a lot of first gen to college kids, internationals, and kids on financial aid. You won’t be able to tell who is who. Bates is well-known for being one of the most down to earth and friendly of all the Nescac schools. Bates is not preppy, though, yes, there are some preppy kids. My daughter distinctly did not want a preppy atmosphere and Bates was one of two NESCAC schools she applied to. I would describe Bates as being a solid mix of outdoorsy types, urban escapees, hippies, athletes, preppies, and nerds.
My daughter is a nerdy hipster-ish type, and her roomie last year was a romantic hippie. She is friendly with a group of championship debate team kids. Her group of friends consists of a “redneck” from Florida, a show-jumper from Mass, a Hawaiian valedictorian, a Tunisian city dude, a swimming nerd from Jersey, a Maine Native from six hours north, and a brainiac from Harlem. That’s probably pretty typical at Bates. They are all very happy.
@Meaganmm Just saw “dressing up for class.” No. I doubt that EVER happens. Your friend is not at all correct. Bates kids wear normal stuff to class, and you will see a lot of kids in Bates gear. Shoes are probably optional when it’s warm, but not in the winter. Your kid will have to get used to the cold. It’s cold a large part of the school year, but they have breaks which make it less unbearable. Bates has a very high retention rate, so the kids seem to cope.
FWIW, you will find wealthy kids at all NESCACs, and also most private colleges.
My Batesie is from rural NC and feels right at home. They are very open and everyone is encouraged to discover new interests. For example, she isn’t Jewish but has attended Hillel events and been welcomed with open arms. Without the benefit of financial aid she wouldn’t be able to attend but has never felt that has been an issue socially.
My quirky nerd is definitely not preppy and fits in fine. As for dressing up for class, nope! Under that heavy coat, scarf, and boots no one is in a shirt and tie 
I hope you enjoy your visit!
My S graduated in ‘15. We got a great FA package from Bates - way more than I thought we’d get (as a lot of kids there do.) He had friends from all socio-economic backgrounds. No one cares.
I honestly don’t think it’s a button down khakis kind of campus - not from the kids I know (or saw walking around when we visited.) My S went to private high school and was definitely not preppy.
Even out almost 3 years now and his friend group is still very tight and S goes up to campus at least once a year.
And they all got great jobs after graduating or went to excellent graduate schools to continue their educations.
Any of you Bates parents happen to know anything about whether going from Bates into the financial world, Wall Street, etc. is a plausible path?
@Brother Ray 24 see post 38, here: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21321969#Comment_21321969
Parent of a '17 grad here: D&D/Magic/fantasy geek, check. Semi-slob, check. Rural Southern kid, check. Financial Aid to compete with prestigious financial flagship state U, check. If he could have worn shorts, t-shirt and sandals year-round, he would have. His friends were varied geographically and also by interest–theater, music, athletics, etc. He worked a job in Commons all 4 years, plus some time building sets.@Meaganmm, if your son ends up at Bates, have him check out the Discordians club–very game-oriented at the moment.
Also gainfully and happily employed in a tech job…
twins ?
Fixed now, I think. 
I don’t think either of my full pay New England prep school kids who attend(ed) Bates owns an iron. The laundry coming home on breaks is jeans, yoga pants, sweats, and t-shirts.
@Sawyerss - would love to hear you and your child’s impressions after your 4/6 visit, if you could post it here that would be much appreciated. Thank you and best of luck in the decision making!
Bates takes pride in emphasizing that it was established by abolitionists and is generally a progressive place. They seem to try to diversify their student population in terms of race, gender, and class. However, the fact is that it’s 70% white and there are many from affluent background. My daughter says that students don’t mix much with each other. I don’t know if this has to do with race, class, or just New England social milieu. I suspect it’s the same at other northeast liberal arts colleges.
Bates admitted 24% students of color last year and 13% first generation to college. 9% are international. These numbers are an increase over Class of 2020 numbers.Bates is trying, and successfully it seems, to bring more diversity to campus.
My daughter’s group of friends includes an African American from Harlem, a Tunisian, a Hawaiian, a Floridian, a Moroccan, and a Maine native. Based on my daughter’s experience, kids not mixing is certainly not representative of all Bates students.
Your data on the composition of the admitted students doesn’t refute what I said. But students at Bates also reflect the society we live in and it’s not one big happy family. There are race, class, and ethnic divisions and from what I hear there isn’t as much mixing. This could be specially hard for a minority in a small college.
The same could be true of any small college. And from my child and my friend’s daughter who both attend, that is not the story we hear.
Hi @Buster21 My D is touring this month and we’re from rural NC. She would be class of 2023. Does your daughter conduct tours? Would love to know how a southerner is adapting to Maine. Thank you for any information.
@TwinMom2023 , one of my D’s best friends is from Florida and is a tour guide. She LOVES the school. She is now used to the snow. She thought it would feel like sand. D’s other best friend is from Hawaii. Also loves the school. She’s still at Bates, so I guess she is used to the cold also.I can pm you the name of the tour guide.
That would be great. We are heading up in two weeks. Can’t believe it is April already. I’m originally from Florida so snow for six months is bizarre to me too! 
Bates students definitely learn to love the cold!