Difference between Bates and Colby?

<p>Can anyone tell me what are some differences between Bates and Colby? They sound so similar in every book I’ve read. Is one easier to get into than the other? Are some factors considered more heavily in admissions at one school versus the other? I’m also wondering about campus life. Please someone help me!</p>

<p>Let's see...there are other threads around that answer this question, but I'll tell you my take on them. Colby is slightly harder to get into, and therefore has a slightly higher ranking (also, Bates' endowment is on the lower end). From what I've heard friends/acquaintances say, Bates is a truly friendly campus (perhaps a little crunchier than Colby) while Colby is a little preppier. Both are great schools in a great state (whoo hoo go Maine!) and are definitely much more similar than they are different. Their locations are slightly different. Waterville might be a more typically college town, but Lewiston isn't as bad as a lot of people believe. Honestly, most of the complaining seems to be a result of the fact that Lewiston doesn't cater specifically to the college like many college towns do.</p>

<p>I can't really help you with the admissions factors aspect of your question, sorry.</p>

<p>For some reason, I was personally very turned off by Colby. I'm not really sure why, I just was. And in the interests of full disclosure, my dad is a history professor at Bates and his colleagues are truly wonderful people.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>If you search thread titles for "Bates Colby" you'll turn up a dozen or so threads on this topic. </p>

<p>They're in a similar tier of admissions selectivity, with one major difference: Bates is SAT-optional and Colby is not (so you really can't compare the two school's SAT ranges in rankings and guide books directly).</p>

<p>A few additional thoughts that aren't in the other threads:</p>

<p>I think that one of the conventional wisdoms--that Bates drew more laid back, crunchy, artsy students and Colby more athletic, preppy types is outmoded. Both have really diverse student bodies including lots of international students. Colby has a new center for civic engagement that's drawn a lot of the social activist types that you'd think of as more typically "Batesy" and it's also strong in art history, studio arts, music, etc.</p>

<p>Bates requires a senior thesis and it's a big deal. Not all departments at Colby require a thesis or senior project, but close faculty-student interaction, including lots of student research is part of the culture there, too. They have a huge undergraduate research symposium in the spring and something approaching 1/4 of the study body presents research just during that one event.</p>

<p>The feel of the campus and towns is very different, though; it would be good to visit if you could. If you don't get to visit, some of the earlier threads will give you a good sense of that dimension. Both are wonderful institutions that have a lot to offer; you could hardly go wrong if you wound up at either!</p>