<p>We all know Bates is terrible. Now that that’s resolved, let’s go to the real issue: Why would anyone choose Colby over Bowdoin if he or she gained acceptance to both colleges (as coincidentally, I did). I’m almost certainly going to Bowdoin, and I’m wondering if I should even do the admitted students day at Colby.</p>
<p>So, why might one choose Colby over Bowdoin?</p>
<p>if you haven't visited Colby, don't make a mistake by missing the admitted students day. Colby won my heart on my visit :-)</p>
<p>I have visited both. But should I do admitted students visit?</p>
<p>yes. Let us prove to you, beyond a doubt that the Polar bears are 100% better than the sterile white mules.</p>
<p>:-p</p>
<p>hey now! Sterile by nature, not by choice! lol. And polar bears are all... all..all white and stuff!</p>
<p>(man, that was pathetic :-P)</p>
<p>wait, why does everyone think Bates is terrible? my boyfriend is going there...</p>
<p>well to speak strictly by numbers and rankings, Bowdoin and Colby are above Bates.</p>
<p>I would personally prefer Bates over Colby. Colby is more athletic/preppy/school spirit-ish, and Bates is more artsish and intellectual. In my opinion. No stereotypes involved :-P</p>
<p>This townie says that there's no good reason to choose Colby over Bowdoin.</p>
<p>i just say bates is terrible because i'm not into the arts. i like sports, and even though i'm not very good at them, it's better than sitting around painting and playing the cello!</p>
<p>I'm sure for every numbskull who prefers sports to the arts (coughcough athletic recruits coughcough), there are a dozen much more intelligent people who prefer "sitting aroung painting."</p>
<p>Don't insult musicians to Travis, he's a hardcore concert violinist</p>
<p>Bates is STILL a GREAT school, and there is really no apparent reason to chose Colby over Bowdoin... it's jsut where you feel msot comfortable. Sure, Bowdoin is ranked one spot higher on "best food" and has "nicest dorms" and "best quality of life" or something liek that, but it's really jsut where you feel msot comfortable. The teachers, facilities, etc. are all GREAT. Also, there's a little bit of a bigger city, no, town near bowdoin than there is near colby.</p>
<p>hahah damn straight, oliver</p>
<p>I got into Bates and I am damn Proud. As a Transfer too (about 7-10%)! All three schools are great schools. I am waiting on Bowdoin. I would prefer Bowdoin over Bates...mostly because of the town and it is closer to the ocean....But I will be extremely happy to go to Bates or Colby for that matter. And as far as rankings go....Bowdoin is ranked 7th (top 10) and Colby and Bates are 19th and 22nd , respectively. So if you are going to give weight to Rankings...Bowdoin is (top 10) and Bates and Colby are about the same....being that close in ranking is because they are both great, and have differences. The factor that gives Colby a Higher rank may not be as important to you as a strength of Bates. But I like Bowdoin the best!</p>
<p>Jackman, you got in as a transfer to Bates too!?!?! </p>
<p>Me too. I plan on attending. People don't get that Batesies are down-to-earth (much less snobby than at most schools), love the outdoors, and get crazy when it comes to politics (something I like). Ranking means little in the top 25, it's more about the school for you. I probably could've gotten into Bowdoin as a transfer but I didn't even apply because I didn't feel it was exactly the school for me, and I felt Bates was. Still, Bowdoin is great, i've got friends there, and the parties are not too shabby.</p>
<p>Have you guys looked at the factors that are used to determine these rankings? Peer assessment scores? Alumni giving percentages? Give me a break. With no consideration to research, graduate school admission, or job placement, these rankings seem to me an unmerited excuse to tout the excellence of a select number of schools each year. I cannot believe the formula they use accurately ranks schools, and I think it would be exercising very poor judgment to choose a school explicitly on the grounds of these arbitrary rankings. Clearly, the rubric they use has some correlation to prestige and selectivity, but I do not think that it can make any pronouncement about school 20 being better than school 25, or 1 being better than 3. For the record, I have no affiliation with B, B, or C..</p>
<p>Here's how the Wall St. Journal lists the top feeder schools (colleges with the most success getting into top grad schools)</p>
<p>19 - Bowdoin
40- Bates
46 - Colby</p>
<p>Just thought I'd add another dimension.</p>
<p>calipharius, I think that everything has some merit. I totally agree with the fact that rankings should be taken very lightly. You are absolutely correct that there should not be differentiation between schools that are closely ranked. Also, nobody should pick a school by rank. It is about what is best for YOU. I found Bates and Bowdoin to be amazing places in many aspects. They seem to be wonderful places for me. Also I am transferring out of Binghamton University (SUNY) because it is not the right school for ME. I still tell anyone who asks about how great it is for other people I know and what it was able to offer me. But, Bates and Bowdoin could offer me more of what I need in both a pedagogical system and a college community. Now, after I decided that Bates and Bowdoin were great places for me....I am further encouraged by there high rankings....because ranking do mean something....but not everything. We could argue about the level of value that should be attributed to ranking but it would be arbitrary.....everything is relative.
Good luck to all
Jack</p>
<p>pedagogical? Why don't you just say educational or academic?</p>