<p>My son applied ED1 last year and was accepted and is loving it there. He is an athlete which helped him and also he applied SAT optional. A couple of things:
- drinking - yeah there is beer drinking on weekends; some overdo it and some do not. the kids do not go to bars or anything (except some seniors head to the dive bars I think! ); they stay on campus. I do not get the sense that it is crazy there.
- cliques - my son visited other small liberal arts colleges and this was the one area that he found distinguished Bates from the others. Kids don’t just hang out with their sport group. They were incredibly welcoming and friendly. My son hangs out with his team and the kids on his floor. The kids on the floor all eat together and hold parties on the floor.
- workload - he says there is a good amount but he feels he has enough time to do it. Labs are difficult.
- Lewiston - Bates is in an ok section of Lewiston. I find it to be fine. The area surrounding the one end is better than fine. It is not a college town. All the stuff really happens on campus - hanging out at Commons, Milt’s for late night food, etc. There is a Buffalo Wild Wings right in Auburn by the Marriott there (highly recommend) so that’s always fun. And Freeport is just 20 minutes away. Thats a great town.
- Food - Okay the food is really good. The food is really similar to a cruise buffet, especially the vegan section. Lots of choices. My son thinks the food particularly the mac and cheese is awesome. He is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables too.
- Comparison to Colby and Bowdoin - We did not visit because we knew Bowdoin is more intellectual and Colby was too far ( I drew the line at Bates) Two people we know who visited Bowdoin did not like it; they felt it was a little snobby. Bates was more welcoming I think.
I would apply ED1 to Bates. The numbers for regular decision are really low like 20% or something. If you go on their common data set you can calculate admission chances for Ed and regular admissions. Good Luck!</p>