Our son is very interested in these three schools, or at least he thinks that he is as we have not yet visited.
Before making the drive up to Maine from NYC, I would very much welcome any thoughts/opinions on the schools from either alum or parents.
Thank you.
All great schools, all a bit different in some ways but similar in many, all reaches for unhooked applicants.
Makes sense to visit them all if you are going that way. If he is interested in LACs make sure to balance these three out by visiting some that are more likely admits. I generally recommend not visiting reaches first 
, but every kid is different.
If he’s in the academic level for consideration, what better way to see the differences between and enjoy a wonderful trip to beautiful Maine - and if you have time to add one on the way back (a mid size public), you might check out UNH (if he wants to contrast with a bigger but not huge school). And stop in Portsmouth NH on the way up or down for lunch - just because it’s as neat as any city in Maine and it’s on the way!!
Obviously, these are three schools, different environments, and all very highly reputed. Also, three schools where, unless you have financial need, you’ll be paying full freight - so make sure you are ok with that before going. So for your child , you are talking likely at least $375,000 if not more by then. Always important to have that budget discussion up front so the student doesn’t get hooked on a school you can’t afford or have no intention of affording. If you wonder about your need situation, google the school name + net price calculator and it will give you an idea of what your cost might be.
Nothing will confirm interest (or not) like a visit.
Enjoy your trip.
They’re all great small liberal arts colleges in Maine, all in the NESCAC sports conference. A lot of similarities and overlaps (I would guess that many apply to all 3, but some, like my daughter, only to one). They each have programs where they excel, and each has its own feel (though generally similar). That is why it is good to see them in person and see how he reacts to each campus and to the people he sees. Bowdoin’s campus is in the arguably cutest town, nearest to the coast, walkable to downtown, and closest to Freeport and Portland. It also has an Amtrak station. Bates is in Lewiston, a larger town inland a bit from the coast, a more working-class town that some like and some avoid. Colby is in Waterville, also a working class town farther north and an hour from the coast and the mountains, and is removed a mile or so from the town (though the College runs shuttles to town, and is investing heavily in it - new hotel, new arts center, etc.). We were pleasantly surprised by Waterville when we visited. I would highly recommend visiting all three.
There has been a lot said about all of these schools on various existing CC threads. You’ll find some really useful information if you search each school to find established threads, including this one: https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/nescac-spoken-here/3640664
But really, especially this time of year, as people are making their final decisions, I can think of several threads currently active that take up each of these schools. Start there and see if those threads lead you to more specific questions. (FWIW, my daughter loves Bates, and she really likes Lewiston.)
All great schools, and yes all reaches for nearly all applicants, with Bowdoin generally considered to be a smidge more difficult to get into then the other two. My son goes to Bates, and loves it. Hard to distinguish them very definitively on paper but most families/students who visit all three come away with preferences amongst the three based on more subjective factors. (I remember someone posting years ago about not liking the “creepy trees” at Bowdoin, which still makes me chuckle. ) I would go take a look and see which ones your son prefers - they’re all objectively awesome schools.
But also totally agree that you should spend as much/more time visiting targets and safeties!
My D attended Bates and had a great experience. There are currently a number of parents on this board whose kids attend Bates, including @westcoastfam . @gardenstategal is a good source of info about Colby. Not sure she is still active, but @homerdog has good info about Bowdoin.
@merc81 provides a link in this thread which gives a nutshell summary of these colleges.
Yep, I have one at Bates, and we also have kids from our high school (CA) who are at Colby and Bowdoin. All are enjoying their experience. Agree that Bowdoin has the nicest town, but it’s also the toughest to get into (typically). Kids from our high school currently attending the three applied with weighted GPAs of around 4.1-4.4 (out of a possible 4.5). Strong students. Took tough classes in HS. None were recruited athletes. All seem to have a sense of adventure, which I guess explains going from CA to Maine. Mine preferred Bates & Bowdoin to Colby, mostly because Colby seemed more remote, especially if flying in and out of Boston. Boston to Bowdoin/Bates is only a 2-hour drive (a bit longer if by bus). Also, Bowdoin and Bates have a lot you can walk to - cafes, restaurants. I think Colby requires a shuttle to town. If your student has a car, that might not matter. Mine doesn’t have a car at Bates but lots of others do. It’s so easy to visit all three so would definitely check them all out. For Bates, take a walk around the lake (where they do the puddle jump in February - so fun!), visit the Den cafe (now open nights), La Ronj cafe, Forage cafe, Baxters Pub, Fishbones, Orchid (sushi), DaVincis, Bluejay Cafe, Blue Goose (student hangout/bar) to see what’s around, and tour some of the cool new buildings like the science center, the new dorms, Commons dining hall, etc. The Center for Purposeful Work at Bates is amazing – resume review, funding for internships, lots of personal attention for finding jobs and exploring careers. Also, Global Studies has been terrific also for study abroad options. Talk to students at each and see what seems like a fit (I would say the students we know at the three are all very cool and down to earth).
From our experience Bowdoin is the hardest to get into. My son graduated in May from Colby and was rejected from Bowdoin. Our current high school senior was just waitlisted at Bowdoin and was accepted at Colby. This is regular decision. I would definitely visit and if one of them is a top choice I would apply ED.
Here’s a direct link to the post mentioned earlier: NESCAC Spoken Here: - #5 by merc81.
Hello…we have a son at Bates now and a daughter who graduated from Bowdoin and both of them visited and looked at all three schools during their searches and I think they would have been happy at any of the three schools as they are all subtly different, but they are all impressive schools. Please feel to ask any questions, or reach out by PM if you would prefer
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