Bates culture - "Granolas" vs. Jocks vs. Preps?

<p>The Maine schools all have their reputations and stereotypes, whether deserved or not: Bowdoin - intellectual/prep; Colby - jock/prep; Bates - crunchy/granola. Of course these are way too broad and I’m sure you’ll find all types at all schools. BUT, based on what you know about Bates, how would you describe the majority culture at the school, if there is one? Is it really one big mass of liberal-leaning upper-middle-class white Boston suburbanites, or is there more going on? How do the various subgroups get along? Is there a seperate athletic culture?</p>

<p>Have you ever been to the state of Maine? That would be a starting point.</p>

<p>Yes, I've spent lots of time in Maine. I'm familiar with the state's culture, georgraphy, history, etc. But my question was about the three Maine liberal arts colleges, which in many respects are not very representative of Maine (that is, 85-90% of their students, and I'm guessing almost all of the faculty and administration are not native Mainers). I guess I don't understand your response.</p>

<p>I was wondering if you had some familiarity with the Maine Culture and you say that you do. As to the cultural reputations of the schools, I can really only speak to Bowdoin. While many of these folks are not native to Maine they are attracted to Maine because of the very culture you say they are not a part of.</p>

<p>I think many students who want to go to college in Maine are attracted to a romantic notion of Maine as outdoorsy, natural, away-from-it-all, LL Bean, sailing in Bar Harbor, lobster bakes, etc. While there is plenty of that to be had, it is a very narrow slice of "Maine culture," and is enjoyed mostly by affluent vacationing out-of-staters. Most Mainers are hard-working, blue-collar folks whose annual per capita income (about $31,000) is far lower than the cost of attending one of these schools for a year. I would recommend that you read two great books about how "the other half" (actually, the other 90%) lives in Maine: "The Beans of Egypt, Maine" by Carolyn Chute, and "The Lobster Coast"<br>
by Colin Woodard.</p>

<p>As I said I have worked in Maine w/ many "locals" and am well aware of the true culture of Maine. I understand and agree w/ what you are saying. I do think tho that many Mainers are outdoorsman.......in a true sense. Perhaps it was the business I worked in but I saw a great respect and concern for the natural resources that Maine has.</p>

<p>As a Bates student, I feel like I can give a little bit of insight into the situations. From my experience so far, there seems to be an equal distribution of the three groups that you have mentioned above, with none of them really dominating the entire scene. To a certain extent, many of the stereotypes are true. There is a pretty significant group of liberal-leaning upper-middle-class white Boston suburbanites but they do not dominate the campus. There are many students big into the outdoors and environment, athletes, rich preppy kids and nerds, and none of the groups seems to overpower the rest. I would point out that there seems to be a much less dominant rich preppy vibe at Bates when compared to similar schools like Colby. No matter what stereotype they tend to fit, most Bates students are very friendly and relaxed in their manner and dress. From my experience, the stereotypes that you tend to notice more strongly are the ones more present in your social circle or you dorm.<br>
Hope that answers your question and if you want me to clarify, just ask :)</p>

<p>Thank you for your helpful insights, Rachie.</p>

<p>As a current Maine resident "from away", with a son at Bates this semester as a Tulane visiting student and knowing many kids who go to the three schools, I will offer a little bit. But, of course, I have not "lived" the culture at either school. Whoever said or implied it above is right - there are two Maines: The "cosmopolitan" Maine of Greater Portland and southwestern Maine versus "the county" et al. This is oversimplifying to the max and there is overlap between the two, but I don't think there is one "culture of Maine." </p>

<p>I believe the three schools' student bodies are more similar than they are different. I also believe they are more similar to similar-sized and similar-selectivity LACs in other regions than they are to other schools in Maine -eg, U Maine.</p>

<p>Were I interested in any of the three schools, I would not try to zero in on one based on which is more "preppy", which more "granola" etc. My observation about Bates would fit with what rachie describes - all three "types" are present with none dominant. I would wager that if rachie were a Bowdoin or Colby student, she would find the same. The stereotypes seem to work best if you're not really there ;).</p>

<p>btw, DS seems to find himself surrounded by more kids from NY than from Mass. :p</p>

<p>what is granola? crunchy? /:-|</p>

<p>birkinstock wearing, nature loving, Whole Foods eating, nalgene toting, earthy, environmentally oriented, (sometimes) drug using college student. </p>

<p>See anyone at Hampshire ;)</p>

<p>This year the freshmen seem to be a group that just like to party in general. I'd say that there's not as many "granola types" and more preppies and regular kids this year.</p>

<p>aww, i dont need a "party" school</p>

<p>That's a shame.</p>

<p>lol, I had enough "partying" I really want to just get away from the city and study...you know, find out what I want to be and what now</p>

<p>thats depressing i was hoping for more granola</p>

<p>It pretty much depends on with whom you hang out. I would say that most of my friends are either "regular" or "granola" if you had to classify them. Most of them went to public school, not the many prep schools. Basically, there should be more than enough people of whatever group you want.</p>

<p>Crunchy/granola All The Way!!!!</p>

<p>Take an environmental science class and you'll meet crunchy people. If you're looking to get tanked with the preppies go to Rand.</p>

<p>sweet? can i bring my granola with me?</p>