Strengths and Challenges of Bates and Colby

There are lots of threads on CC that address the relative virtues of these two excellent Maine LACs, but things are changing so quickly at both schools that it might be valuable to solicit a new crop of thoughts. For those of you who are current students, current prospective students, or parents of either, what are your thoughts and experiences? What do you love about your school? What do you hope will improve? What is your major and how do you like your program? What do you and your friends do when you are not in class or the library or sleeping? Anything else you think important to share with someone considering both schools? Thanks!