Bates vs. Colby: A Parent's Perspective

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi everyone on the Parent's Forum! I'm a senior who's recently been admitted to both of these colleges RD. Now the situation begs the question: which one to choose and (perhaps more importantly) for what reasons? </p>

<p>Are there any stories, opinions or just comments on the differences between the two? More specific descriptions of the student body and the little things would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Details on the two: Lots of FA from both, no price difference. Presidential scholar at Colby (does this really have an impact?).</p>

2

<p>Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re looking for in a college? Broad strokes only-sports played, possible major, any other pertinent factors? I’m happy to offer a general opinion but I think we can help you more if you give us something on which to base our advice.</p>

<p>BTW, congratulations on having a great choice to make!</p>

3

<p>I have known one young man who adored Bates and one Colby. I think you should look at online catalogues and compare course descriptions in the department you think you’ll major in. Which approach appeals to you more?</p>

4

<p>Flip a coin.</p>

<p>Seriously. If after going through this long process you still cannot come up with a principled basis for preferring one or the other, then it really doesn’t matter which you choose. </p>

<p>You’ve visited both, right?</p>

5

<p>Thanks everyone for your questions. I’m interested in a combination of economics, physics and philosophy. Activities that I’d like to participate in would be debate and just the usual college stuff I assume. Nothing really specific really jumps out in that area. I have not visited either of them yet but am hopefully going to be able to during the April 14th weekend. Is that helpful? And is there any things I should pay attention to during the visit that would highlight the differences between the two?</p>

6

<p>Does your Colby scholarship depend on your retaining a certain GPA or is it a no-strings-attached grant? Would the need-based financial aid at either place still be sufficient for you to afford to attend, even if you lost a GPA-based merit scholarship in your sophomore or junior year?</p>

7

<p>Bates is known for its debate. Team, so that might convince you.</p>

8

<p>You really need to go visit both schools and see which one you like better. My son is at Bates and absolutely loves it - but that doesn’t mean it is the right choice for you. </p>

<p>Good luck to you! </p>

<p>ps - I do know Bates’ econ department is top notch but I have no idea about econ at Colby.</p>

9

<p>The Presidential Scholarship does sound intriguing and would be a point in Colby’s favor. On the other hand, as mythmom points out, Bates has an extremely strong debate program.</p>

<p>From a story on the World Debating Championships in Berlin:
“Of the 33 U.S. colleges and universities that sent 53 teams to Berlin, only five schools made the break: Bates, Stanford, Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Not making the cut were U.S. teams from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Swarthmore, Amherst, and Williams, among others.”</p>

<p>And another quoting a Bates debater:
“It’s rare for a team to be so successful and at the same time so inclusive. Most of our peer institutions have team tryouts and cuts, but we accept all interested students and work on all levels of skill development. People who join do so out of a desire to participate in intellectually stimulating discussions, hone rhetorical abilities, and learn about important contemporary issues,” said Djang.</p>

<p>[News</a> | Bates College](<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/news/2012/02/29/bates-debate-global-ranking/]News”>Bates debate hits No. 9 in global ranking | News | Bates College)</p>

<p>Both Bates and Colby have strong economics departments.</p>

<p>As to what you’ll hear about them socially, be aware that we Bates/Colby grads and parents can’t help but be loyal and partisan and that our perspectives are colored by our own experiences. You’ll hear that one school is preppier and then five seconds later that that same school is the more down to earth of the two. As a grad. of one with friends from the other I have to say that the people at both schools are far more similar than different.</p>

<p>Some of the differences I see:
Colby has a 4-1-4 schedule, Bates has a 4-4-1. Take a look at them. Personally I think the opportunities a 4-4-1 provides give this schedule the edge. If, on the other hand, you’re an avid non-competitive skier the 4-1-4 may suit you better.
Colby has a language requirement, Bates doesn’t. It’s not an onerous requirement, but if you struggled through French III it may be a tiny factor.
Bates requires a thesis for all students, at Colby the thesis is done by honors candidates but not, I believe, all students.</p>

<p>If I were you I’d set up meetings with anyone at the campuses you think would help you make your decision-dept. heads/profs. for your intended major, the capt. of the debate team, etc… My guess is that your choice will feel much clearer once you’ve spent some time on each campus.</p>

<p>There are many threads on the Bates vs. Colby question so I’d recommend you do a CC search. Good luck.</p>

10

<p>Both schools are popular with people I know. Both are beloved by their students. I have a little Colby bias, but that’s because I have some relatives who are long-time faculty members there (and really love it). </p>

<p>My cousin points out that Colby has a significantly stronger endowment than Bates. He also believes that Colby has done a better job of emphasizing teaching quality, and the importance of professors being present on campus, even when they are not teaching.</p>

<p>On the other hand, while neither is actually close to anything that isn’t in Maine, if you drive from Portland to Bates, you are still only half-way to Colby.</p>

11

<p>As others have written, you will not go wrong no matter what. When deciding between top LACs, students are mostly dealing with the ‘narcissism of small differences.’ You will probably love and thrive at either. I agree that you should explore offerings in potential majors, e.g. I’d lean toward Bates for Economics but Colby for Environmental Science – but if you pick the other school for other reasons you will still get a fabulous education and similar opportunities. Debate at Bates is really special though – even freshman without experience are welcomed and flourish. I’ll admit bias as DD3 is following two sibs to Bates next year. Colby did end up as DD2’s second choice. The deciding factor was the oft cited friendliness and inclusiveness of the Bates community. Bates really tries to live its values. Read about its history and mission. I’ll even cite Lewiston-Auburn as a positive. It is not a bad thing to be exposed to an old industrial NE town trying to reinvent itself. There are growing businesses and restaurants, a vibrant town/gown art scene and two hospitals and plenty of other organizations for volunteering. And,yes, it didn’t hurt that it is closer to Portland and airports and only 12 instead of 13 hours from home either.</p>

12

<p>

</p>

<p>Have to disagree (I live in Maine); on the other hand, Waterville isn’t paradise in comparison. It’s the campuses that will make a difference; either way OP - these things tend to become crystal clear, and the decision obvious, with a visit. You need to get up here and see both schools. Congrats on your admissions.</p>

13

<p>I’m also a Maine resident. I know kids who have gone to both, as well as graduates of both from earlier generations (two of whom were actually trustees of Bates at one point). Full disclosure: Bates is a client of mine. </p>

<p>My general impression is that Bates is somewhat more intellectual than Colby. Colby is probably more into environmental science, as noted above. I’m not familiar with Waterville, but I think that L/A probably has somewhat more to offer, and is definitely growing in that regard. L/A is also MUCH closer to Portland–about 30-40 minutes by car-- which is a great little city with a vibrant arts scene.</p>

<p>But I don’t think you would go wrong with either one. I agree with Snowdog that you need to visit both. I also agree that it is very important to lok carefully at the terms of any scholarships. Congratulations.</p>

<p>Edit: I looked up the Presidential Scholar program. Sounds really great, particularly the immediate research opportunities.</p>