The things I’ve heard about the Bates’ student body haven’t been very consistent. Some people describe it as by far the most artsy/political/creative of the three Maine LACs, but others say it’s more similar to the other Maine schools than different: outdoorsy, athletic, preppy, New England, etc. As a wholly urban New Yorker who lives for all of the arts, and has a fair degree of disdain for sports, outdoor activities, and New England prep culture, would I fit in? I understand that Bates is a friendly and accepting environment and I wouldn’t expect to be ostracized or anything, but I want to know if I’d really be able to find my people.
It’s all relative. For a Nescac school, Bates may be considered a bit more eclectic/creative (though not nearly as much as Wes) But by general liberal arts standards, it’s probably has more of a healthy does of prep than many others outside of Nescac schools.
I graduated from college decades ago, and then, Bates was the Maine school you chose if you were looking for artsy/crunchy (but wanted to be in Maine ). Colby and Bowdoin had their “types” as well. Today, the differences have blurred quite a bit. I suspect that some of the inconsistency may depend on when the person giving his or her opinion was last there. When we went to visit these schools with DS, they were quite different than they were when my generation was attending.
Bates offers overnight visits to seniors. Check it out and see what you think. Personally, I think Maine is great, but I also think snow-shoeing or hiking with friends sounds like a great weekend activity. You might prefer Wesleyan, Connecticut, or Tufts to some of the other Nescac schools. Vassar and Bard might also be options. Or you might prefer to go somewhere less rural (like Macalester ).
@gardenstategal funny you should list those - I’m applying early to Vassar and Wesleyan, Tufts, Macalester, and Bard are also on my list! Do you think Bates would still fit in with those kinds schools, or should I be looking elsewhere?
An overnight visit is a great suggestion, but unfortunately I won’t have time.
My son graduated in '15. He had a number of friends who were art majors. My son is not a hiker/skier/outdoorsy type except for sailing. I honestly can say none of his friends were preppy even though some went to private high school (even my son.) He was very involved in student govt, music scene, etc. But Vassar, Wes and Bard are definitely more artsy. I can’t speak to Tufts as the only kids I know who went there went to med school after.
My son wouid tell you that Colby is more preppy/jockey.
You can always go visit after if you apply and get in, or you might be very happy with your other acceptances and decide not to bother.
I think you will find Bates to be more “mainstream” than those others, but I think you would find your people there as well – they are just less likely to set the tone. Did Oberlin hit your radar?
@gardenstategal I’m actually trying to decide between Oberlin and Bates as the final school on my list right now!
@emilybee unfortunately my high school limits the number of private schools I’m allowed to apply to, so I pretty much need to decide about Bates within the next few weeks. If you don’t mind me asking, what kinds of music was your son involved in and what was his experience like? I’m a musician and music offerings are pretty important to me.
@lalalemma, He was a trombone player in symphony and jazz band in high school but didn’t play at college because he didn’t want to. He was in the DJ club - they do the music at school functions (you can look at all the club info on Bates site for better description) and he also had a radio show where he got to play what he wanted. The nice thing about small colleges is that anybody can do that as they have no communications major hogging all the programs.
I do know there are formal musical groups and just kids who bring their instruments and jam informally. You shoukd contact the music department and get some more specific info.
@lalalemma My daughter thinks there is a big mix of all types of kids at Bates. She is not preppy at all, more “Hip nerd”, and her roommate is crunchy granola. There are definitely some preppy sporty types, a lot of outdoorsy types, full on nerdy types, but honestly, I think there is a lot of variety with the kids. I haven’t been to Oberlin, but I think the vibe is quite different from Bates. More political, more creative, more punky.
@lalalemma Also, reading your description again, my daughter sounds quite similar to you. No interest in sports or the outdoors. She was accepted to Oberlin and declined, because she thought it was going to be OTT with political correctness and in-your-face social issues. That might well be unfair, as we didn’t visit. Bates kids are known for getting involved in issues and the community, and there was a big campus effort to get kids registered and to the polling stations. Signs and chalk arrows pointing the way, etc… But I would not call Bates a politically active campus first. Definitely socially aware though, and liberal.
My D never applied to any other Maine colleges. She liked Bates because she loved the inclusivity of it. No Greek life was important to her. It has a long association with African American students, and it seems that every other commencement speaker is African American. 
They are big on first generation students. They make a real effort, for a small LAC in nowhereseville, to admit URM students. They also want native Maine kids,and bragged about the kid who ran his own fishing company. There are quite a lot of international students for such a small school. I am biased, but I do think it is about a much of a melting pot as you can get in a tiny college. I often find myself wondering how all these amazing kids fit into a population of 1700.
Yes, I think Bates fits in with the other schools you described, but probably a bit more tame than Wes. And agree that Colby and Bowdoin are definitely more preppy.
@Lindagaf the thing is I’m kind of looking for OTT political correctness and in-your-face social issues (along with hyper-intellectual students and strong arts programs). I have to say, at 71% white, Bates doesn’t strike me as the most racially diverse LAC out there. But Oberlin isn’t very different in that regard.
Then go for it. Oberlin is almost twice the size of Bates. So, yes, you will see more diversity simply because of numbers. Oberlin is a great school.
@lalalemma , of the schools you mentioned, I would say Wes, Oberlin and Bard are the most edgy. I think you shoudl consider Macalester. We thought Vassar was preppy, but I doubt anyone will agree. And Tufts, in light of what you have just said, is not likely to be what you are looking for.
@Lindagaf I’ve visited all those schools except Oberlin. I didn’t see Vassar as preppy, though after my first visit I wouldn’t have argued so much with that label (I got a very different impression on my second visit). I actually had a great experience at Tufts, though I understand why you say that.
@lalalemma , I will message you. Don’t want to detract from this as a thread about Bates.
I graduated from Bates in the 90’s as did by husband and I would agree that it’s less preppy than Bowdoin and Colby for sure, lots of crunchy and artsy types. My husband and I were different from one another (he was a jock and I was artsy) but both loved it and still have many friends from our old days in Maine. It is definitely COLD but that creates a tight knit environment IMO.
My oldest is a senior and has Bates on her list but she just applied ED to Oberlin. She’s a writer and they have a creative writing major, unlike Bates, and she’s definitely artsy so I think after visiting she felt very much at home there. If things don’t work out ED she’s definitely going to visit Bates. She has been many times with us as a family but I know she’d love it if she spent time on campus without us.
Both great places so good luck!