<p>I read this over on the Admissions Forum and thought these reviews by Spiker were terrific and would be of interest to parents, so I copied them and put them here.</p>
<p>Carolinagirl14…I checked out all 3 last year when I was applying. I plan on going into Asian Studies / International Studies or another internatonal-related field. I have a personal connection with Colby and I knew that colby is strong in these areas. (there is a new building under cinstruction devoted to international studies)…and altho i live in DC i go to Maine every summer so I understand the Maine environment and social cross section. so here’s the 100 word rundown. Some areas in Maine are more remote than others, some more cosmopolitan, more tolerant / “live and let live” than others but that may be a separate discussion. Maine is a really special region in the US unlike almost any area except for the upper penninsula of Michigan or maybe areas in Oregon or Washington.
- Bowdoin: Closest to Boston, most “small Ivy” of the 3. most selective by tradition but it didn’t seem justified by faculty quality, programs, or other standouts. I thought the selectivity may be a result of longevity, tradition of high quality applicants and …mmm inertia? Campus is lovely, slightly urban on the edge of a small town and also very close to the ocean. they have a major satellite tract about 30 min. away on the ocean for environmental studies which is so beautiful. Historic, picturesque and you could live in Hawthorne’s dorm room (like living in Pavilion One at UVA) but… the adults came across as really snobby on my visit. their whole attitude was “it’s a priviledge to attend Bowdoin…so when you apply you need to convince us that you are worthy…” (which is really what all college applications are… but the Bowdoin adcom pretty much said as much) the students I met were fine tho, just like other students… I didn’t apply. </p>
<li><p>Bates: the campus is traditional, picturesque, tree shaded but hints at town and gown friction. Lewiston is an struggling mill town, historic mill CITY really on the Androscoggin River, where the textile barons have moved out and eventually some high tech incubators are beginning to move into renovated mill buildings. The core population seems to be French Canadian, other immigrant groups and struggling working Mainers…and the town has the look of historic ninteenth century church subsidised development …big old catholic churches on the hill with ethnic neighborhoods surounding the church. It’s a model that is VERY urban New England. (or like Chicago, or Buffalo) …but may seem alien to students from other the areas. the campus is up the hill, (again a very traditional pattern) in an old elegant tree shaded residential area, like Brown, and a few blocks removed from the commercial area of the city. Also there is a vigorous WallMart type sprawl on the state roads going through city, no doubt contributing to the slow regeneration of local business. There is a vibrant Somali community in Lewiston which collaborates with Bates on service projects. Socially and academically Bates seemed high quality, good in biological sciences and the arts. The arts and theater folks I met with were exploring avant garde expressions, Renaissance music or ethnic dance but seemed unconcerned with what was happening down the hill. I found everyone earnest but a little removed from reality. My interview was very casual and relaxed. Unlike Bowdoin the adcom’s approach was “you would really like Bates, tell me about yourself because we’d really like to have you here” and I was accepted. Their 4 week off campus program is at the end of the year, unlike the typical jAN-PLAN. </p></li>
<li><p>Colby: I love colby. I found Colby to be a mainstream LAC (not meant as a criticism) , high quality, strong in sciences and international studies. Sports are valued more than the other 2, art is valued (they have a good museum and student theater). the student profile seemed to be a real cross section of New England: liberal, conservative, jocks, arty types, skiiers, students were irreverant but not too outrageous. My area is humanities and I found a nice balance between hard sciences and humanities, strong in history, international studies, languages, and economics. The orientation is very cool…there is a trip program called COOT (Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip) which takes groups of maybe up to 10 each on various team building trips led by an upperclassman for a few days before classes start. Learn about Maine, get comfortable with each other, cooperate etc. …but doesn’t seem too touchy feely. the students I met were very intelligent and committed yet not grinds. Colby promotes participating in international programs and recruits a fair amount of international students. So while the setting is Maine the student population doesn’t seem too white bread. American ethnic students seemed few and far between though. Colby has the reputation of being a bit of being “preppy” (but I honestly don’t know what that means) but I think that is because many LACs are more “unconventional” like Bates, and colby is just more of a cross section. The campus was relocated from downtown in the 50’s to its present site on a beautiful hill overlooking WAterville, but is a schlep, a bus ride or a car trip to downtown (1- 1 1/2 mile?) . Because the buildings only date from the 50’s it has a little new look although the architectural style is all New England “traditional” . Also I think the site was a farm because there are trees on the edges but the camous itself is not filled with big trees like Bates and Bowdoin. Downtown Waterville seems prosperous, over the hump of typical NE town economic struggles) with some galleries, shops, lofts cafes etc along the main street by the river. Colby is also in the most northern location of the three colleges. It is a good 2 hour trip to Portland and boston would be reserved for a 3 day weekend. (On the other hand skiing is close by) . The state road features the typical scattering of big box stores, car dealerships and the best Thai resturant I have ever been to. the food was great and the decor was like a 1950’s rec room, with Thai rock and roll albums on the wall, a juke box, and posters of Thai Elvis look alikes on the walls!!!..I was accepted and Colby was my 1st choice among the Maine schools. Although I eventually chose another school I love colby and I would have been really happy there. Also when applying, Colby offered more help, communication, and personal attention than any other school. I visited during the fall, did the adcom presentation and the student led tour and went back in December for an interview. I think Colby would be great for a student who wants the personal approach of a small LAC with a very involved faculty, but that that has the feel of a larger university in its student services like athletics, clubs, international programs. I think this is because there is a little more of a hands off attitude with student culture. Colby seems less “nurturing” than Bates and I liked that because the nurturing attitude can get a little suffocating. That said Colby has a little more reputation for student drinking and acting out, I think because of its more mainstream student cross section and its less protective administration. </p></li>
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<p>So its hard to sum up but here goes:
- Bowdoin: Elite and they know it. Many are called, few are chosen.
- Bates: You’ll love Bates, we love you and you’ll get used to Lewiston.
- Colby: Work hard , party hard. But we’re not lghtweights.</p>