Bates College Top Questions

You need to be very focused when it comes to school work. Always remember school comes first. Also that you need to manage your time very well.

College is a pivotal point in a young life. Long-lasting friendships are made and minds are opened; the ability to learn is gained. Although many colleges are similar, the difference between a large university and a small liberal arts college is one that I have learned to appreciate. Attending a small school has been perfect for me: I need encouragement and support from my professors as well as a close-knit community of caring students. However, the sports and social scenes of larger universities have catered to the desires of several of my friends, who are more comfortable with larger lecture-type classes and a greater mix of people. What I have learned from this is that students can work well in either environment; it is the attitude and the motivation of the student to get involved in classwork and extracurriculars that really make college for him or her. I have found that involvement provides a sense of satisfaction in a student, as well as nurturing and instilling friendships based on some common ground. Opportunities in college are numerous, and taking advantage of them is the best thing that a student can do for him or herself.

Personally, I went with my gut feeling. I didn't know exatly what type of college environment I was looking for, but when I went on a campus tour, sat in on a class, and met the tennis coach, I knew Bates was going to be a good fit. You hsould know what type of learning envirnment works best for you. For me, I needed a small class and a lot of contact with my professors. If you like being in a city, more rural, near skiing, etc...you should consider how important the surrounding city is to you. I grew up in Chicago, a big metropolitan city, but ended up going to school in a small rural town in Maine. It was a nice change of scenery for four years and I wouldn' have changed a thing.

they should all try to go to bates!

Be realistic about the kind of environment you want; do not go to a small college if you feel you want to be in a city, and vice-versa. Also, don't be afraid to transfer if you're not happy. Travel and study abroad if you can, and really avail yourself of all the opportunities at your college. It will go by quickly; savour it.

I think the most important aspect of looking at and deciding on a college, and one that is most often overlooked, is to relax. This is not the most important choice you will make. Most likely, you will end up somewhere you are comfortable and happy, however, if your school doesn't end up being a good fit for you, you can always transfer somewhere else. When you are at college, the most important thing to remember is to make time for yourself. There will always be a project or a paper to work on, but unless you make good friends and establish a "family" for yourself, you won't be happy enough. You need to find the balance between work and play; when you do, you will be able to make the most of both your education and your social life.

I would give students the advice to look at schools with an academic program and location you would feel comfortable in. Academics are key to being happy on a campus, as well as a campus's location. If a student is happy with these two aspects, then friends and a happy social life on campus will come along with it. In order to make the most of a student's college experience I would recommend getting involoved in activities that interest you as well as trying new activities. If you keep an open mind your first year of college, to classes, friends, other extra curricular activies, the rest of your college years will be more enjoyable. The worst thing you can do is wait until your senior year to start becoming involoved on campus. For parents, I would recommend being supportive of their student's decisions in college, ultimately, college is a time when the student really discovers their own likes, dislikes, goals and persona.

Spend some quality time at the school. I was very interested in the Maine schools, but Bates was my last choice after my first visit. That visit consisted of a campus tour and information session at each college. It was only when I spent a night with members of the sports team from each of the three schools that the distinction really became clear to me. If you are not an athlete, this does not mean you are out of luck! Arrange (through program websites) to meet with a student or a professor (ideally both) who you know you will be interacting with in college. This could be a mean a member of the theater department, newspaper, biology dept, etc. It will get you excited about the school and will give you a face and personality to associate with the school when you're reviewing your final choices. Most students jump at an opportunity to impact a high school student's decision to come to that college so don't worry about being annoying. Good luck!

1. Choose a school that is going to challenge you both socially and academically. The faculty should be well investedin the well being of their students. The most crucial aspect to having a good college experience is having a good mentor, whether a graduate student or professor. These people have experience working with students and can teach you more than just the subject matter that is their expertise. 2. Make sure that your school has strong ties to the surrounding community. Dont choose a school that is in a "bubble" and isolated by poor attitudes of its students. Even if this isnt your first priority as a freshman right out of high school, you will find that as you progress through your education, you will want to be more than just a student; you will want to contribute to a greater community. 3. The school should ABSOLUTELY have a "green", student based initiative focused to making the institution a sustainable environment in terms of energy consumption, food distribution, waste disposal, etc. You want to go to school with people who care about being responsable citizens, NOT with people who binge drink and throw beer cans in the trash.

Relax.