One of the best things about bates is the FOOD. Students are known to spend hours lounging at Commons, the one dining hall for the entire student body which was just rebuilt this year. Commons features delicious brick oven pizza and a vegan bar that is to die for. Except for occasional shopping trips and meals at portland and freeport, students rarely leave campus. Which is good, because Lewiston is not exactly a bustling metropolis. However, it does have a fair selection of good restaurants, movie theaters and a bowling alley. There are always plenty of activities going on at Bates during the weekends that students do not feel compelled to leave. I feel like I missed out if I leave Bates for even one weekend night. Batesies are friendly and there is a strong feeling of community.

Bates professors are unique in that they truly care about their students and are willing to go the extra mile. They encourage students to drop by during office hours and dine with students at Commons, or invite their classes over for a meal. Professors are great to talk to because 99% of them have the highest degrees in their field and they are extremely knowledgeable. Batesies are not competitive with each other. I do not even know my class rank.

There have been some tensions and hate crimes against LGBT, although students do not come across as racist or prejudiced. Although Bates is now making significant efforts to recruit minority groups, the % of minority students is slim. Most minorities, international students and upper class students remain within their groups. Most Batesies are from New England. Students are active in promoting environmental sustainability.

The outing club is the biggest club on Bates campus. Students are automatically members and have access to a plethora of athletic equipment. Members send emails around all the time asking if people are interested in embarking on outdoor adventures. The greatest thing about Bates clubs is that they are non-exclusive--- anyone can join anything. The activities fair at the beginning of the year is over the top and amazing---- Upper class club members set up tables underneath the library quad and try to coerce freshmen into joining their clubs. Freshman year I signed up for rugby and the water polo team-- neither of which am I qualified for.

Students are upper class whites from New England boarding schools. They are either ultra preppy or granola crunchy.

Not entirely. There is a significant percentage of each group but there are also plenty of students who are in the middle of these two extremes.

Short term is the greatest thing to happen since sliced bread.