As the title suggests I was hoping for a comparison of these schools as well as which one is best for me. I am a very outdoorsy athletic kid interested in psychology.
There will be plenty of opportunities at all three for exploring outdoor activities. I don’t think either has an edge. Colby is the furthest from Portland, ME. Bates and Bowdoin are very close to each other and much closer to Portland. Waterville is pretty rural while the other two are not in rural locations. Brunswick where Bowdoin is located is a lovely town. Lewiston where Bates is located is much larger but no where near the charm of Brunswick. Although kids from the NY area that go to Bates like Lewiston a lot. Location goes to Bowdoin and Bates in that order.
Colby has the same feeling as other preppy schools like Colgate and Bucknell. Pretty campus just more of the preppy type.
Bates and Bowdoin have more of a mix of jocky types, preppy kids and hipsters.
We visted each twice, interviewed at all three and my son was recruited for track. The process at Bates was amazingly organized. Bowdoin was OK but Colby was like an episode of the Three Stooges. When we arrived at Bates all the coaches, senior captain and liason from admissions were all there with a customized package and took us on a tour of every building. When he came back for the overnight, his host was a senior applying to medical school. When the Bates team ran in Manhattan this winter they invited him to the team dinner.
My son is coming from an all boys Catholic school so he enjoyed the environment at Bates the most, it is very informal and the campus is much smaller so it feels very energetic. Colby was totally forgettable for him.
He was recruited so we applied Bates ED, so it was the only school he applied to.
Admissions to these three are unpredictable. Bowdoin is on paper the hardest but its common for applicants to all three to get different results. If you apply in regular decision, acceptance rates are low, from 12% to 17%. Colby no longer requires supplemental essays. Bowdoin and Bates do and they are test optional, but your high school record will get more scrutiny. My son had a 31 ACT and the coach said it wouldn’t add anything to the application so we did not submit it. He had a 94 average.
If you are female, Bates and Bowdoin have lower acceptance rates. Colby higher.
On to food, Bates and Bowdoin have excellent food. I’m not kidding. Bates and Bowdoin are unlimited all day. Colby’s food was above average. The Bates dining hall is really super.
If you want a busier intown feel go with Bates and Bowdoin in that order, if you want more prep then Colby. Side note, new lower classman dorms at Bates will be open for your class and they look sweet. If you go to Bates, tour the Bates 280 dorm. They will be like that dorm.
If you are interested in these three you must interview.