<p>a friend at Bates told me that its just very cold and miserable up at bates and that most of the students are hippies who smoke and drink a lot in their dorms…is this a majority of the student population?</p>
<p>I think somebody told you wrong! My impression of Bates students:outdoorsy, friendly, enthusiastic and healthy. They like to do things and give back to the community. and of course, they are smart and hard working.</p>
<p>My S's best friend, a guy who does not drink to speak of, adores Bates. I have never met anyone more enthusiastic about his school than he is.</p>
<p>The students are really gosh darn nice.</p>
<p>Cold? yeah, but no colder than Middlebury, Dartmouth, Williams, Bowdoin, and Colby.</p>
<p>as a bates student who does nothing described by Kathleen1991 except endure the cold, i would say i would have to agree with the above posters. i love bates, despite the weather (I knew it was going to be cold when I decided to go there) and the people are phenomenal...</p>
<p>Kathleen1991...if you have such a bad impression of Bates, why are you very interested?</p>