My DS has already looked at Colby but we didn’t have time to see the other two. I know all of these schools have made some changes in the last couple of years. Would like to know what people who have recently been to all three or are or have kids at these schools think the pros and cons are? Thanks!
I highly suggest making the time to visit the other two. You could squeeze in both in one day.
Both my kids preferred Bates and Bowdoin to Colby. Some of it was the isolation of Colby - more remote, the town itself. Some of it was a more Bro-ish vibe at Colby. Academically, they are all great.
We looked at all 3 this summer. All 3 are great schools with much to offer More similarities than differences.
Colby was beautiful and had a happy, sporty, collaborative vibe. Bowdoin had the best location and seemed vibrant with lots of great on campus programming and perhaps a bit more of an intellectual bent. Bates stressed inclusivity and seemed vey civic minded, a little more liberal. A great education to be had at any of them.
Thanks for the replies @wisteria100 and @doschicos. We are going up early Oct. unfortunately Bowdoin will be closed that weekend, but we will drive through for sure. Did either of your kids decide that they are going to apply to one or all of them?
Both of mine had Bates and Bowdoin on their final lists. Neither went to the two schools but we know many who are students there.
I went to Bates for two years but transferred to Cornell. Both my kids got into Colby. The whole family loves Colby for its global outlook, its J term in Carribean type climates, an emphasis on research and tight-knit community not to mention great food. Neither of my students liked Bowdoin for some reason and didn’t apply.
I agree that these three are more alike than not, although if you ask anyone who attends one, they’ll tell you that they are vastly different!
All have a large percentage of students who are athletes, all have great academics, none have Greek life, and all are in the wonderful state of Maine.
Traditionally, Bates was the artsier, cruncher school, Bowdoin had more of Boston’s elite, and Colby was the one for the outdoors-y kids. There are some vestiges of this. While Maine has great outdoor activities everywhere, Colby, being the northernmost and closest to Sugarloaf, still may get the nod from the skiers and sporty types. As noted, it is separate from the town whereas the other two sre not. Bowdoin still has the easiest access to Boston and the reputation for being the most selective. Brunswick is also cute, which is not the case for Lewiston or Waterville. Bates, which never had frats or sororities, has always been “one big community” and has been intentional in maintaining this (and marketing it, which helps perpetuate it.)
After looking at more than 2 dozen schools, DS had Bates and Colby vying for #1 on his list. (Didn’t consider Bowdoin for reasons unknown, but family attended there and know quite a few recent students there, mostly legacies.)
They all have tight communities which are increasingly diverse (but not as much so as many schools outside Maine). I feel that if you like one, you could be happy at any of them but if you can look at all of them, you can reach your own conclusion. Recognize that at some level, any visit will be heavily influenced by your guide, the weather, etc. Not that these schools are any different from others in that regard, but it can make a big difference (especially with that Maine weather!)
@gardenstategal Thanks for the reply. My DS really liked Colby when we were there. It was a beautiful day in the summer too. 
It seems like everyone thinks they are very similar. Did your son in up applying ED to Colby or Bates?
PM ed you, @FROMTHESOUTH3
If you search the history of CC, you’ll find dozens of threads addressing this subject. Everyone comes at the question from their own perspective.
Way back in the dark ages, Colby was closer to Bowdoin than to Bates in academic reputation, Bates closed the gap, making it a “pick your pleasure” scenario. They have a good number of similarities, to be sure. There are also points of differentiation. Colby tended to the conservative side in academics, in that it has resisted SAT optional in admissions (it is test optional). It also has more traditional distribution requirements, which tends to encourage the more rounded academic applicant. Bates does have some general education requirements, but my sense is that they are not as traditional as Colby’s. Bowdoin also has distribution requirements, but appears to have fewer required courses.
Colby is embarking on some terrific physical and program enhancements, like impressive new athletic facilities, a downtown Waterville partnership with student housing in town, further improvements to its terrific art museum and support for overseas studies and internships.
Mostly, you should visit and choose which school most appeals to you. They are all fine places.
Thanks @gointhruaphase for your reply. We are going to try to get to Bowboin but living so far away and my DS has a tough senior schedule (5 AP courses) and is in a fall sport makes it hard to take off in the fall. We really appricate everyone insight!
I put a lot of stock in yield rate. Colby has a dreadfully low yield rate of 26%, while Bates and Bowdoin are in a category very schools can compete with, 45% and 52%, respectively.
My D visited all three but only applied to Bates and Colby. She felt Bowdoin was too preppy and truthfully a reach and she already had plenty of those on her list. Bates and Vassar were her two top choices in the end. She was waitlisted at Bates and rejected at Vassar.
Hi! Disclaimer: I’m a Bates alum and parent… (so clearly I’m biased!) We looked at all three with our son and found some differences.
Similarities: All have beautiful campuses, small student body, tight communities, good outdoorsy feel. My son liked all 3!
Differences:
Colby: Campus seems bigger than the other two. More spread out and surrounded by trees. Multiple dining halls. Gorgeous new art museum. Seems very sporty - maybe “preppier” than the others. Very isolated from Waterville. You cannot walk anywhere off campus. (Although they are building some new facilities and a dorm in downtown Waterville now.)
Bowdoin: Seems more “elite”, like a little Harvard with some quite historic campus buildings. Longfellow and Hawthorne are among the alums. (Our tour guide lived in Longfellow 's dorm room!) Brunswick is the quintessential college town (although now I realize there’s no such thing as a typical college town!). Nice shops, restaurants, etc within walking distance of campus. There’s even an Amtrak station.
Bates: The first words that come to mind… Friendly. Inclusive. Never had any frats. There’s a very strong sense of community. Everyone eats in the one dining hall. (Son loved the food!) Great outing club. I think it’s got the most “liberal” vibe. Compact campus (a good thing in the winter!). They have put a big emphasis on diversity and working in the local community. Short term is a great program too (like Colby’s Jan plan?) The campus is in Lewiston, a small working-class city with older mill buildings and significant Franco-American heritage. You can easily walk to stores and restaurants. When I was applying myself (a million years ago!) I had my heart set on Bowdoin/Brunswick. But I fell in love with Bates and Lewiston. I loved the campus and how friendly everyone was. Everyone smiled and said hello. Lewiston has actually improved quite a bit since then. The river is cleaned up and there are more restaurants, etc. The local Somali community adds a really interesting dynamic to the city as well. Lisbon St. has a diverse collection of shops and restaurants.
Anyway, good luck! I encourage you to look at all of them so that you can see them for yourself. You can see Bates and Bowdoin on the same day - they are only about 40 minutes from each other.
It may be too late, but try to get invited to Explore Colby. This is a day long program where you sit in on a class, take a tour, meet the faculty, go to a meal, and have an interview if you would like, talk to folks in admissions etc.
Colby registers as one of the greenest schools in the nation:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2017/09/20/americas-top-green-colleges/#63be13245ffa
Bates can make its case based on its long record of progressivism, which might have made it the historically most desirable LAC in the region.
Bowdoin has not surrendered its affinity for taxidermy, which distorts, in my opinion, aspects of its claims toward environmentalism.
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Bowdoin has not surrendered its affinity for taxidermy, which distorts, in my opinion, aspects of its claims toward environmentalism."
Based on a 100 year old bear? I wouldn’t describe that as “an affinity”. It’s not like it is killing and stuffing animals now.
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Bowdoin may be regarded as scenic. However the school’s relationship to nature appears conflicted. The Offer of the College is certainly promising and remarks, “To count Nature a familiar acquaintance.” Nonetheless, a polar bear was “secured” so that his “spirit” could be the “Guardian Spirit” of Bowdoin, and is currently displayed in the fitness center. Even within the proximity of a solid philosophy department, archaic conceptions visibly persist here, in this case one that is myopic in its anthropocentric interpretation of nature.
Any thoughts on why Bates is above Colby in Forbes listing of top LACs for 2017?
The polar bear was given to the school 100 years ago. It’s been dead a long time. There are zero chances it would be done by the administration today and getting rid of the bear wouldn’t bring it back to life.
Here’s the bear history if anyone is curious:
https://research.bowdoin.edu/a-glimmer-on-the-polar-sea/research/the-bowdoin-bear/