Laura

I love the student body at Bates. Students, for the most part, are very friendly and approachable. Because it is such a small school, there is a sense of community that I have yet to encounter at a bigger school. People often call our school "Bates High School" for it's small size and your inability to attend the school and remain just another face in the crowd. Secrets don't stay secret at Bates, but the close-knit aspect of the school is one of its most endearing qualities. People complain most frequently about the long winters in Maine--the wintertime brings a lot of snow and a low of cold temperatures. If you're not from New England (or even if you are), this can be hard to adjust to. If you're into skiing, though, or if you love a snow-covered landscape, winter can be a great time of year. Bates's administration is very easily accessible and very helpful, from what I've experienced. Batesies love Bates. Though there may not be a lot of school spirit in terms of sports teams (Bates doesn't stand out in the world of athletic competition), most Bates students love the school and will be happy to talk about how much they love the school and why.

Students at Bates are not very competitive, but they are certainly studious and extremely hardworking. Bates's academic requirements are not strict and are easy to satisfy. Professors know your name. The biggest class you can possibly have at Bates would have 70 students, and that would happen only in a big science lecture. My average class size thus far has been under 20.

Bates's fashion typically falls under a few categories: the more preppy dressers, the crunchy granola dressers, and the athletic edged dressers. Different types of students interact, but for the most part, the extremes from each clique stay within themselves.

Students almost always leave doors open. Everyone is pretty trusting on campus...no one I know locks their computer, and people often leave laptops and backpacks out in the library or other study spaces unattended. Frats and sororities never have, nor will they ever be allowed at Bates. The party scene can get pretty crazy, but it's always low-key and non-exclusive. People save partying for the weekends, though. The weekdays and nights are almost universally used for studying.

Friendly, down to earth students, mostly wealthy New Englanders, mostly white

Yes (for the most part...not every student is super wealthy--I, for one, couldn't attend Bates without the very generous financial aid I get from the school)