Inspired by this thread, I thought I’d ask Chat GPT some questions, just for fun.
As you can see, Bates is the number #1 LAC for friendliness!
Here’s a fun ranking of liberal arts colleges based on their proximity to moose habitats. Maine NESCAC’s represent!
- Colby College
- Location: Waterville, Maine
- Why Moose: Colby College is located in central Maine, a region known for its forests, lakes, and abundant wildlife, including moose. Maine has one of the highest moose populations in the U.S., and students at Colby are likely to encounter these creatures on hiking trails or even driving through rural areas.
- Bates College (just gonna say that in the many trips to Maine, none of us ever saw a moose. Not even my kid who attended Bates.)
- Location: Lewiston, Maine
- Why Moose: Like Colby, Bates College is situated in Maine, which is home to a large moose population. The surrounding forests and rural areas make it common to see moose while hiking, biking, or even just driving around.
- University of Vermont (UVM)
- Location: Burlington, Vermont
- Why Moose: Vermont has a robust moose population, especially in the northern and rural areas of the state. UVM is located near a number of hiking trails and outdoor activities where spotting a moose is not uncommon.
- Middlebury College
- Location: Middlebury, Vermont
- Why Moose: Middlebury is situated in rural Vermont, and like UVM, it’s a great place to encounter moose, particularly when exploring the nearby forests and nature reserves. The state is known for its large moose population and its outdoor culture.
- Bowdoin College
- Location: Brunswick, Maine
- Why Moose: Located in southern Maine, Bowdoin is relatively close to areas where moose sightings are more common. The college’s location near forests and lakes in the northeastern U.S. makes it a prime place for potential moose sightings.
- Carleton College
- Location: Northfield, Minnesota
- Why Moose: Minnesota is home to a significant moose population, particularly in the northern part of the state. Though Carleton is located more toward the southern part of Minnesota, the state is still known for moose sightings, especially in forested areas.
- St. Lawrence University
- Location: Canton, New York
- Why Moose: St. Lawrence is located near the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, an area that’s home to a variety of wildlife, including moose. While moose are less common in this region compared to Maine or Vermont, sightings are still possible in the more remote areas of the Adirondacks.
- The University of New Hampshire (UNH)
- Location: Durham, New Hampshire
- Why Moose: New Hampshire, particularly in its northern regions, has a population of moose, and while the university is located in the southern part of the state, students have easy access to moose habitat when hiking, skiing, or exploring the outdoors.
- Hampshire College
- Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
- Why Moose: While moose are more common in the northern U.S. and Canada, Massachusetts has a small moose population in its more rural areas. Hampshire College is located in the western part of the state, where moose sightings are more frequent in wooded regions.
- Reed College
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Why Moose: Oregon is home to a relatively small moose population, mainly in the eastern part of the state. While Reed College in Portland is located in the west, where moose sightings are rare, Oregon’s wilderness areas provide occasional opportunities for spotting these animals further east.
Honorable Mentions:
- Skidmore College – Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, which is near Adirondack State Park where moose can be spotted in more remote parts.
- Bard College – Situated in the Hudson River Valley in New York, this region has some moose sightings, particularly in more wooded areas to the north.