<p>Help! I am interested in Bowdoin, Bates and Colby, but I have no way of distinguishing among them as I’ve had no opportunity to visit from North Carolina. I know Bowdoin is usually ranked above the other two, but I also know that all three are top notch liberal arts schools. I am hoping to narrow these three schools down and apply to one. Thus, I’d like to know what makes each school stand out, what are the students like, what are the campuses like, what are the surrounding college towns like, which gives the best overall experience?
Also if anyone has any idea, which has the best sociology/social sciences program?
The more details the better, thanks!</p>
<p>I think Colby is known to be more homogeneous compared to Bates and Bowdoin, though there isn't a lot of diversity at any of them. Bates students are stereotyped to be really friendly and artsy, and Colby students as less friendly and more athletic. But, obviously, there will be athletes and friendly ppl at both schools. I visited all three campuses and they all are really nice. In terms of selectivity, I think Bowdoin accepts about 20%, Bates 30%, and Colby 40%. At all three it is really advantageous to apply ED, so if you really want to go to BB or C I would suggest it. I don't know anything about you so I can't suggest which would be the best for you-they're all good though.</p>
<p>I applied to all three schools but ultimately chose to go to Bates. Although I visited the schools in the summer, I still felt like I got a pretty good feel for each of them. Bowdoin seemed very prestigious and slightly elitist because it had a long history of famous graduates. Bowdoin is probably located in the best town out of the three because it is closest to the shore and Freeport. Bowdoin runs on a semester system so you are gone for most of the month of January which is probably a good thing for someone from North Carolina.<br>
Colby is farther up north and more inland in the town of Waterville, which was my least favorite location of the three. The Colby campus is really beautiful and is set back a bit from the downtown Waterville area. One of my favorite parts about Colby was that most of the main academic buildings are connected, which means you won't have to go outside in a snowstorm :). However, Colby had too much of a rich, white, preppy, athlethic kid vibe for me so I chose not to attend.
Bates was my favorite of the three and the school that I will attend in the fall. While I was there, I got a sense that everyone was really friendly and down-to-earth, which was something I did not sense as strongly from the other colleges I visited. Bates also seemed a little more artsy and had a little more of an outdoorsy and crunchy hippie vibe than the other schools. The town of Lewiston is not really a college town but there is some stuff to do and the area provides a lot of service opportunities. It also seemed that there was a little more economic diversity there than at other similar schools.<br>
In general, Bates, Bowdoin and Colby are schools that are pretty alike but have small differences that might make you prefer one over the other in a person preference. The academic quality of each is comparable but keep in mind that Bowdoin is slightly more selective than Bates and Colby (For example, I got into Bates and Colby but was waitlisted at Bowdoin). If you have any more questions about any of them, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Could you please give me some more information on Bates. Im applying early decision and i havent been able to visit the campus because I live in Texas, but from what I have researched and read about bates I know that it is my first choice, but if you could give me some advice on anything or any information i couldnt get from research it would be a tremendous help.</p>
<p>any specific things you want information about? I know early decision helps a LOT, and being from Texas couldn't hurt either. Definitely interview if you can even if its only an alumni interview because they place a big emphasis on that. I would try to visit if you can though and stay overnight, especially if you are going to apply early, because if you are accepted you must attend.</p>
<p>rachie...thanks for the info -thats exactly what i wanted to know!</p>
<p>Well I have already requested an Alumni Interview and a couple of weeks ago I got a letter in the mail saying that they did not have anyone in my area and that they would put in my folder that I had requested an Interview and they had no one around me and that I would not be penalized for it. But as far as any specific information, I would love to have any advice, that you could give me about anything that is important and that would help my chances of getting in. If you could possibly give me your stats and etc. that would also be great. Thanks Again</p>
<p>Well, SATs are not required at Bates so that is not something you should worry about, just send them if they are pretty good, usually above 1300. I would just make sure to have good grades and good essays and demonstrate that you would be a good match with the school. I had about an A- average in just about the hardest classes I could be taking at my school. I didn't have great ECs, but they definetely showed consistent areas of interest, community service and music. Bates definetely likes community service so if you have big involvements, make sure to mention those.
Bates isn't like Harvard, that is, normal smart kids do get in. Good grades, rank, recs and essay go a long way. Just make sure you show interest in the school and demonstrate to them that Bates is a good fit for you.
Best of luck!</p>
<p>Keeley2006...if possible I seriously suggest you visit the Maine schools. especially Bates if that is your top choice. Youre from Texas and may not be as familiar withthe atmosphere of the "struggling smaller industrial city" as some students from New England, or chicago or upper midwest. the area surrounding Lewiston is beautiful but the city itself is a challenge that you need to accept on its own terms. For better or worse it is a very authentic New England mill town. I loved Lewiston but you need to check it out in person...because the Bates literature doesn't capture Lewiston at all. check the threads on the Maine schools under "college search"</p>