Have you also posted in the Midd forum? You will get more Bates-bias here:-)
I am a Bates parent. My D never considered Midd at all. It sounded too remote, too hoity-toity, too preppy. I know a girl who is very happy at Midd, but she is a language major. One thing about Bates kids for sure is that they are not pretentious.
As for “teaching and preaching” that’s quite funny! I am going to share that with my freshman who will probably be appalled. Bates’ chapel is non-denominational and the stained glass windows feature great thinkers from history. Certainly no religious vibe at the college, but the chapel is used for many different things. If I had to sum up the Bates ethos in one word, I would say “inclusive.” Both D and I think there is a great mix of all kinds of kids. No greek life is quite important to many of the students.
Another important factor: Bates isn’t isolated. Portland is a really great small city and only 45 minutes away. Freeport is a fun town with excellent shopping and restaurants. The college provides free shuttles to both almost every weekend. Kids eat out in Lewiston, and there is a shopping center near campus. Plus, you can ski free at the local ski hill. Maine season ski passes are only $200.
Middlebury is higher ranked, not sure why,but there is another thread discussing that somewhere. I will link it if I can find it, but in part, it’s because Bates has a smaller endowment. The endowment is smaller because it has a long history of admitting women and African- Americans, traditionally groups that do not earn as much as some others. Both have excellent proffessors. You won’t go wrong with either, so choose the one that you feel is yout fit. Good luck!