Bates v Bowdoin v Colby

Sue22
Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:35:51 +0000

You’re getting very sound advice from Dezama, Bates2017 and SolaPuellarum. As a former NESCAC athlete I’d add a few points.

Visit now if at all possible. You’ll learn much more about schools if you visit wile they’re in session. During the summer campuses will be empty or filled with summer program participants who aren’t representative of the college populations. Once the outdoor season starts you’ll be too busy with soccer to take these trips.

When you visit pay attention to behavior. Do the athletes all cluster together? Do they sit together in the dining hall? Is this good or bad? Do people seem happy and friendly?

Think about how you’d feel attending the school if you tore up your ACL freshman year and couldn’t play soccer. Does the school have the majors you’d like? Is their career counseling solid? Remember that you’re there to get an education.

Look at team rosters and ask about playing time. Do freshmen really get to play or are they predominantly bench warmers? Are the rosters filled with freshmen and sophomores? If so, why? If there are few juniors on the team is is because the school has a fabulous JYA program or because the coach burns her players out? Ask lots of questions.

I’d echo dezama’s post about Wheaton. It doesn’t have the reputation of some of the other schools on your list but I think it’s an up and comer. It would make a good likely school (I hate the term “safety”.)

Bates will expect high grades and strong recommendations but is truly score optional. I say that as the parent of a kid who was just admitted without submitting test scores. Bowdoin is test optional as well, but as you know has an even lower acceptance rate than Bates.