<p>I've worked SO HARD over the past four years, taken all the advanced and AP classes that my school offers, gotten super involved in extracurricular activites, gone to top university summer schools, cried and stressed and survived on very few hours of sleep. I was rejected from most of my top choices (which were extremely selective, so I'm not surprised, just extremely disappointed) and now I'm going to Bates next year. I know its a great school but I feel like I could have gotten in without putting so much effort and emotion and so many hours into it. Of course a lot of the things I did because I genuinely enjoyed them - working hard, getting involved, ect. - but I'm just feeling a little unsure about Bates' prestige and reputation. I know a couple people who got in and are going who did not work nearly as hard as me, and it's just a little frustrating. </p>
<p>I just need some validation that Bates is a good school. I want to be proud and happy that I will be going there!</p>
<p>Bates is a fantastic school where you'll get a very strong education, if you continue to put in as much effort as you have in high school. You can only get out of the college experience as much as you put in, so don't think that you'll get the best education Bates offers by working only as hard as other people. You clearly have a very strong work ethic and if you continue to show that ethic, you'll get a fantastic education and be a very good candidate for graduate school and the work world. Those who have heard of Bates where I live (in the South) know it to be a great school, not just a good one.</p>
<p>Of course it's a good school. Go there knowing that, and knowing that your classmates will be at least as smart and hardworking as you. And remember that lots of people who worked as hard as you did not NOT get in! Keep in mind as well that most people just have not heard of most LACs, so their ignorance is no measure of a school's quality. Good luck--and don't look back at what might have been.</p>
<p>Bates is a great school ! You will have great opportunites and you will work hard. Years ago I went to Bates and my brother went to Harvard- I will tell you that my Bates education demanded more of me than Harvard did of my brother-and the connections and friendships you make at Bates are the best. I will say that Batesies are friendly and not full of themselves-</p>
<p>Bates is a great school-believe me you will work very hard there-and you will probably do your own research-and you will be prepared to do well at the best grad schools-and you will love the friendly, non-assuming, but very bright Batesies-</p>
<p>Bates is not only a great school where you'll receive a fantastic education, it's one of those places that people in the know consider to be a place that fosters real intellectual engagement (think Reed, Chicago, Swarthmore). Good luck . . . I bet you'll love it!</p>
<p>Ditto..... I will also point out that I believe I saw that the acceptance rate at Bates dropped significantly, can't find that source right now though, if that makes you feel better. There will be a new dorm, keep your eye on the construction updates on the Bates website, next year and a new dining hall following shortly after.</p>
<p>My wife went there and my son is completing his Freshman year. You will have every opportunity to stretch yourself that you can imagine. He does like the food too...</p>
<p>Good luck. Just do bring some warm clothing. It wasn't that bad this year but it does get cold in Maine.</p>
<p>Bates is a really, really, really awesome school. Think Ivy, think intellectual, think a little more carefree and a lot more undergrad focus. I'm a current student at Chicago, but I was talking to students who go there and poring over my friend's acceptance packet and thinking---- WOW.</p>
<p>believe me, the NESCAC schools are definitely regarded as "the little ivies" by all graduate schools/medical schools/employers. the bates name will take you far.</p>
<p>It bothers me that only 62% of the student body were in the top 10% of their graduating class...and why wasn't Bates listed as a "New Ivy" along with Bowdoin and Colby?</p>
<p>At this point you have presumably committed to Bates. Instead of whining or being overly analytical about it after the fact, both of which it does sort of sound as though you are doing, just be glad you have the opportunity to go to a good school where if your mindset allows you to, you will have fun and get a fine education. And as far as the rather silly New Ivies list goes, there are new ones every year or two with different schools named to sell magazines to new and overanxious audiences. Bowdoin is more prestigious and didn't belong on that list anyway in my opinion, and as far as quality and repuation go I really don't think there is a difference between Colby and Bates. B are very good schools with somewhat different campus ambience but very similar quality. Enough.</p>
<p>Cinnamon, I do know how you feel. I also got into Bates and some other good LACs and then ended up transferring because I made the wrong-fit LAC choice. I go to a well-known school now, If I could go back and didn't want to go through all the transfer trauma (which wasn't fun), I always say I would have gone to Bates. I love that place, know REALLY smart kids there and absolutely positively got the WARMEST reception when I visited and was interviewed. That place has class. So what about the numbers. They've got personality. You should be really proud, but I can understand what a bummer it feels like to get rejected from those dream schools and I know you problably feel your disappointment is unreasonable since you are so lucky to be going to Bate. Give yourself time to get used to the idea. Bate is SO well-respected and you'll be a part of a great down-to-earth community. Okay, enough of my loving Bates I need to finish where I am without transferring again...lol:)</p>
<p>Relax: the New Ivies list was pure journalistic puff; there was a wonderful article by the president of Colby, which made the list, telling alums, students, and parents quite directly to not put any stock in such lists. And those top 10% figures are becoming increasingly meaningless, since some of the best schools now refuse to rank. You'll get a wonderful education at Bates, congrats!</p>
<p>Also, I just wanted to add that I don't mean to sound like a snob or that Bates is not good enough for me. I realize the academics at Bates are phenomenal - that is why I applied and why I have chosen to attend. I'm simply wondering about how it is perceived in terms of prestige and the quality of students. This may seem somewhat shallow, but I think its a genuine concern for a lot of students who have worked hard in high school. We want to feel pride in our chosen college and its important to have other people regard it as "a great school" for justification. Unfortunately, this site has contributed to my fixation with "name schools" and reputation. But in the end, the education I will aquire from Bates (if I work as hard as I hope to, that is) will be exceptional because of the quality of academics. And the human capital earned from college is more important than the name of the school on the degree. So there you go, I've worked it out for myself.</p>
<p>You'll have a fabulous time. All the Bates alums I know are bright, fun, friendly and interesting. Its one of those schools that turns out good eggs, people who care about community, and are high achievers across the board.</p>
<p>Once you get there you'll realize how silly all this agonizing over fine gradations of "prestige" really is.</p>