<p>I saw some older posts on this but am wondering if anyone can comment on the current drinking culture at Colby.
Is it more than any other LAC? My dd is trying to decide between Colby and Bates. I've heard Colby has more of a hard core drinking vibe.
Also, can kids get off-campus easily if they want to? At Bates it seems like there is the opportunity to get to Portland or Freeport but not so much from Colby.<br>
Any other insight about the two would be great. We are literally down to the wire!</p>
<pre><code> I’m a senior from Maine headed to Colby in the fall and while I can’t tell you much about either the drinking culture at either Bates or Colby, I can tell you that the drinking culture at both is probably about the same. I know from friends at both schools that drinking is obviously a common activity, but it’s not like students are judged for not partaking. I have heard that school-sponsored events at Bates are dubbed as events that students go to either drunk or sober, like athletic events for example, while at Colby the environment is much more open and there isn’t this separation. This is only what I’ve heard so I can’t say if this is true.
The schools are honestly very similar besides the fact that Bates is in a very sketchy area. I have to say from personal opinion that Colby’s campus is much prettier, has much nicer facilities, and a wide range of DELICIOUS dining options from the THREE dining halls. Even though Waterville is not a bustling metropolis, it has much to offer in comparison to Lewiston from what I’ve heard. The main street downtown Waterville is actually very cute and homey. I’m excited to check out all of the cafes and bakeries in the fall. I’m also extremely excited to go hike and ski the nearby mountains.
Students can get off-campus very easily from Colby, as well as from Bates. Zip-cars are available for rental, there are busses frequently, and many students have cars. On accepted students day two weeks ago there was even a bus going to the Old Port in Portland that afternoon for the evening! It seemed very convenient. Being from Southern Maine, I can tell you that the trip from Colby to Portland or Freeport is a straight shot and that both Bates and Colby students frequent Freeport and Portland. Bates is a bit closer to both, but not by much.
I considered both schools and in the end, I only applied to Colby because the vibe I got from the students was exactly what I was looking for and I simply didn’t get that gut feeling at Bates. I think since the schools are so similar it really comes down to which school can offer you more of what you want to get out of your college experience. The academic environment I witnessed at Colby seemed to be exactly what I wanted, and the program and study abroad opportunities were perfect for my interests. Although I haven’t even started at Colby yet, I can’t emphasize how excited I am. I’m sorry I can’t provide as much information on Bates. Maine is a great place to be no matter which school she chooses! However, I guess I’m partial to Colby and I hope to see your daughter there in the fall! 
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<p>I live in Maine and think that @c0lby18 did a great job of describing the schools and Maine. Even though Bates is geographically closer to Portland, it’s kind of an awkward drive - it always takes longer than I expect to get from Lewiston to Portland. I would not let geography be a deciding factor for your daughter.</p>
<p>The first time I drove through Colby, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it is.</p>
<p>I hope your daughter enjoys Maine as much as I have! We have lived here almost 28 years now. We still haven’t scratched the surface of things to do and see. You should make sure she has a good camera. The first several years we lived here, I took a camera everywhere I went, because I was always rounding the corner and coming across a beautiful scene.</p>