Bates College

<p>Hi, i’ve earlier posted some questions on Carleton and have received some generous help from a couple of Carls parents. Right now, I would like to consult people who are familiar with Bates.
My son got into Bates and I really need your help before my husband and I decide to send our son off to a far away place.
1)Is the school proactive and helpful in obtaining internships and job opportunities for the students? I understand Bates has a 4-month intensive Ladd Internship but it seems to be limited to a small number of students.<br>
2)Since liberal arts colleges lack of a brand name recognition in Asia(pse excuse me but i do not intend to be rude), I think of advising my son to work in the US for 1-2 years upon graduation before returning to work in Asia. But is it more difficult for international students to apply for a job (even for short term) in the US? Alternately I think he can consider to apply to study in universities like LSE (my son’s biggest current interest is economics) for a year. Are study abroad programs subject to a quota system and do you need to have very good grades in the 1st two years?
3)Finally, the family believes in nurturing the ability to think independently, critically and creatively as well as developing long-lasting friendships and enjoying the campus life during the 4 years of college. We are therefore attracted to liberal arts colleges. But before one can benefit from the liberal arts education, are there any requirements from the student besides the usual hard work, willingness to help each other and contribute to the community - e.g. do you need to be very vocal and active in and outside of class? Can you just be yourself and only actively participate in class discussion when you are interested in the topics and really have something to share? Also, can you say no to partying, drinking and smoking while being accepted?
Thanks!</p>

<p>Hi there,
Here's what I can tell you (I'm a junior at Bates and I LOVE it!):</p>

<p>1) Bates' Office of Career Services (OCS) works hard to disseminate information about internships and jobs (both summer jobs and post-college jobs) to Bates students. It's your son's responsibility to go to the OCS, meet with a counselor and apply to the internships, but the people at the OCS are very eager to help students with the application process, resumes, etc. (They're nice, too!) There are a limited number of Ladd Internships--which are pretty sweet set-ups--but those aren't the only options available to students, espescially not students who are interested in finance. (The OCS offers programs throughout the year, and espescially the finance-recruitment period, catered to Econ majors and others who are intersted in finance jobs/internships.)</p>

<p>2) As I mentioned above, the OCS is really good at helping qualified students find good jobs during the summer or after they graduate (especially Econ majors interested in the financial business). A Pakastani friend of mine, for example, did an internship in Boston's financial district last year and was offered a lucrative position there upon his graduation from Bates. This isn't an unusual story here, but it really depends on your son's committment to finding a job, etc. Bates students are encouraged to study abroad (a good deal more than half of us do), and the Study Abroad Office (actually called, Off-Capus Study) is really helpful. There isn't a quota system to study abroad; as long as your son has a decent GPA and is on-track to graduate, he'll find it an easy process to apply to study elsewhere.</p>

<p>3) Bates is all about encouraging community, and independent and critical thought. Rarely do professors force students to participate (though they really encourage it, and often make participation a good portion of their students' grades). Of course students are encouraged to be themselves, and get involved in what they're interested in--no exceptions! Bates is a very welcoming school. And it's pretty easy to say no to partying/drinking/smoking, but if your son is nervous about it, he should apply to live in a Chem-Free dorm (which is a great place to spend freshman year!).</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

<p>Thank you for your detailed reply, pearls_before. It is such a big relief! Can you just elaborate on two things?</p>

<p>In our system, participation is important and it is always commented in the school report. But as far as grades are concerned, they are always calculated based on the actual marks that you gained in assignments, tests and exams. So at Bates, roughly what % of grades is based on participation?</p>

<p>As for off-campus study, what level of GPA is expected?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Hi there. I'm a Bates student and may be able to help you with some of your questions. Participation is definitely valued by most of the professors here and is highly encouraged. The percentage of grades based on participation varies from class to class but in my experience it has been typically around 10 percent. This may not seem like much but some of my professors have stressed that it can make the difference between a grade- ie- if your average is a B+ but you participate frequently it may be raised to an A-.</p>

<p>As for off-campus study, Bates is rather lenient as far as the minimum GPA they require which I think is around a 2.75. Also, nearly all Bates students who apply to programs are accepted. </p>

<p>Hope this helps and good luck to your son in his upcoming college years!</p>

<p>Thank you very much, ericgr, for your advice. May the family wish you a successful and rewarding college life too!</p>

<p>I found helpful information about off-campus study at this Bates resource:
Untitled</a> Document
Our son has had a really stimulating and engaging first year at Bates.</p>

<p>Hi, I'd like to seek advice on deferred entry. My son is considering to take a gap year before starting his college life. Does Bates usually grant deferred entry? Are there any conditions that he must meet?</p>

<p>Colleges have different policies about deferring admission. Some colleges want the request to be made at the time that deposits for 2008-2009 are due (probably May 1st) but may consider a request now. Why notcontact the admissions office with your questions.</p>

<p>I am just finishing up my gap year and will be starting at bates in the fall and bates was VERY supportive and flexible with the idea. I did not have to meet any conditions and I ended up learning so much during my year off! Good luck!!</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Cammum and sunkissedsurf1. sunkissedsurf1, can you elaborate a bit more on the gap year option?
- What had you done so that you enjoyed your gap year and maintained your desire in studies and academic standard at the same time?<br>
- Did Bates require a gap year report? If a student just wants to break away from studies for a year, do you think it's acceptable to the school?
- Did Bates require you to pay some of the tuition fees first before accepting the application for deferred entry?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<ul>
<li>I think I really enjoyed my year off because I did such a wide variety of different things over the course of the year. I am definitely more excited to go back to school and continue learning because I now feel like I can actually make difference in some of the places I spent time in after completing my education.
-Bates did not require any sort of report although I did email the Dean who I spoke with about deferring- but only because she was interested in my adventures! I think Bates really just wants to assist with what their students feel is appropriate and help them accomplish that task.
-I did not have to pay anything!
Let me know if you have any other questions! Sorry for this was all over the place!</li>
</ul>