I agree with all that @Sue22 has said. I will emphasize that May Short Term is very popular. It gives all the students a chance to spend more time outdoors during a warmer time of year, and there are so many interesting classes on offer, including study abroad. Students get to enjoy somewhere different, but not in the winter, and before peak tourist season begins.
My D likes that in the least diverse state, Lewiston itself has an interesting mix of Somalians and French Canadians. It’s proximity to the middle school means that young people interact with Bates students on a regular basis and Bates is actively involved in Lewiston schools. I think most Bates kids are proud to be in Lewiston. Lewiston itself has unquestionably improved in the four years we’ve been going there.
Bates’ Brooks-Quimby Debate Society is open to all. My D joined as a freshman with no previous experience and was so well coached that after just a couple of months she beat a team from HYP. It gave her a fantastic introduction to public speaking. Debate isn’t unique, but for such a small college to do so well nationally and internationally is pretty impressive. In 2017, BQ was 4th in the world.
One HUGE and totally unique pro: Clayton Spencer. She has been an amazing catalyst of change and an advocate for Bates. The things she has done and continues to do for the school are great. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_Spencer