<p>I attended Bates for two years, so may be slightly prejudiced. It really is a great place and kids there really like it. Great reputation. From there, I transferred to an IVY, got into two and chose the one with the best Chemistry Dept, though Bates’s Chem dept (Dana) is top notch also. I had the opportunity to study Chemistry with a nobel laureate and took it.</p>
<p>I took my DS to Bowdoin and Colby last summer for a visit. Bowdoin does have the best reputation of the three, was sl surprised that Down East Magazine just recently rated Bowdoin as their top school, but who are they? Bowdoin has a manicured campus with red brick buildings looking very much like Harvard Yard. If you want a small school, it may appeal to you. DS went around the block and decided it was too small, like this size of his HS. Colby is very North. You really have to like skiing. The surrounding town is a little “tired” rundown and a dear friend mentioned Waterville as the drug capital of the Northeast. The campus appears to be hillside. The main clock tower is impressive and DS could see himself living in the dorms, but still, you need to picture it three quarters of the year surrounded by snow. Colby is slightly bigger than Bowdoin, and its reputation seems to be climbing, so if you want a sl larger school with a fine rep, Colby may be the place.</p>