Bates College Top Questions

Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

Donelle

While we definitely are a environmental friendly school and have a small percentage of hippies, there is still a large percentage of Batesies that don't fall in these categories.

Kristen

Not really. The student body is definitely very active and athletic- and while there are people who may be outdoorsy or hippyish...it does not seem as though that is what defines them.

Billy

yup

John

Yeah, pretty much. (we don't all party, though)

Jesse

Yes.

Rachel

Yes

Laura

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)

George

The school is definitely conscious of the environment and other so-called "hippie" subjects. Sustainability is a word that you'll hear a lot. As someone who recycles but is not terribly geared toward the environment, I find that people are significantly more aware of the environment here than they are at home, but pressure to share their views is not overwhelming. As for the students themselves, there's definitely a number of people who are leaders when it comes to environmental issues. I hesitate to call them hippies because they're active in other pursuits as well and don't huddle together 24/7. The friendly thing is certainly true. Of course, anywhere you go, there are going to be some people who, at times, are less approachable. But, for the most part, I would feel comfortable having a conversation with pretty much anyone on campus. A friend of a friend that you've only just met will invite you to a gathering in his room that night. A Commons (dining hall) staff member will joke with you in line at the salad bar.

Dan

While there definitely exists a large hippy contingent at Bates(I lived with them in one of our two Environmental Sustainability Houses), the student body represents the entire country and more. I'm from Philadelphia, my girl friend is a Tucson native, the music director of my a capella group calls the Bay Area in California home. However, the New Englanders are overrepresented, and one will often hear about their "just outside Boston" neighborhoods. Beyond all that though, the administration and trustees are working hard to diversify our school, and the success is evident with increasingly diverse incoming classes. I think our football team may have won one game last season, but I can't say I was following their season either... While our winter can drag on in the intense way Maine winters do, Maine offers spectacular beauty throughout the year. In October, our entire campus turns a golden red as the leaves begin to fall. All I can say about winter is that we have a six month ski season. I saved the best for last. In April and May, Bates's Short Term offers students a unique experience to, generally speaking, take a class just because they think it will be interesting. While the classes often require a significant amount of effort put in outside of class (which isn't such a big deal when you're in class six hours a week), there's always plenty of time to get friends together to grill some burgers or hike a mountain. And don't forget about the on campus outdoor concerts and annual lobster bake down at Popham beach state park.

Mel

These stereotypes are sort of accurate, but what I was surprised most by was the wide spectrum. The liberal, wild, bearded, outdoorsy Batesie archetype is definitely well-represented on campus. There is a strong contingent of kids who are concerned with their carbon footprint, and deforestation, and making Bates more green - kids who tend to get involved with outing club and major in Environmental Studies and Geology. I love these kids, I'm probably considered one of them, I have a beard. But there are tons of kids who are not towards one end of the social self-definition spectrum. That is to say, there are plenty of great people who chose Bates not because of the Paul Bunyan Bates stereotype but rather for what Bates really is, which is a top echelon liberal arts college. So: most kids are liberal and smart, but aside from that many lifestyles are represented in the student body.

Gene

Bates students are more relaxed college students. Who work hard and are goal oriented. People are generally very nice on campus.

Alex

For the most part, yes.

T-Pain

Nah people are smart and there is probably a lot of higher incomed kids at Bates, but people aren't really preppy don't really give a fuck.

Nina

I believe that the both stereotypes of wealth and liberalism are largely accurate in Bates's history. With the turn of the century, Bates has seen more diversity in the mindset of it student body. However, the socioeconomic status of the student body holds true to the stereotype.

Amy

Generally speaking, the stereotype that Bates is different from the other two Maine schools is Very accurate. It takes more than good grades to fit in around here. Rarely to I meet people who are one-dimensionally focused around school. Bates also does play hard on the weekends, but not every social event revolves around which basement and who's keg we are going to next. Sure, house parties can be fun, but there is certainly no lack of fun or creative people elsewhere on campus. It's all about finding your own people and creating your own type of fun.

Blake

Almost. There is unfortunately some friction between the black population and the rest of campus. Going to school in Maine will probably cause the campus to be mostly white. There is a lot of racism from the black population.

Alvin

yeah..., but Bates is working to get more diversity

Morgan

Yes and no. The students at Bates do tend to be in the upperclass and dress preppy, however there are geneally 3 categories/social groups of people. First the "jocks" who are varisty athletes and make up almost half of the student body. Second, the outing club, environmentalists, and artsie people who tend to go hiking, skiing, funky kind of people. Finally, there are the preps, basically everyone else who doesnt fit into the other two categoires. And it is these people, which are probaly only 1/3 of the Bates student population that generally fits the Bates stereotypes.

Shannon

to some extent. people believe what they want to. bates is much more diverse than others would expect

Doug

In general, yes. There are conservatives and Bates, and, surprisingly, there are students that come to Maine and not want to spend more than a few fleeting minutes outside. Occasionally, you might even see some Polo shirts with their collars up.

Erin

They are stereotypes - you'll find people who fit it, and people who don't!

Caroline

To some degree all the sterotypes are true but there is another side to the diverse campus, including many kid coming from cities or are more liberal. Skiing and hiking are two very popular activities on campus.

Alex

The bubble is kindof true-- although the Bates community often reaches out to L/A through volunteer services, we pretty much stay on campus for most activities. Yes, a lot of people come from wealthy backgrounds, but a good amount of people don't and have to work campus jobs and work hard to pay the bills.

Ryan

moderately

Marie

Mostly (and sadly!), yes.

Royce

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.

Sam

As generalizations go these aren't so far from the truth. There are a fair amount of hippies, but it's more like "socially conscious" hippies than "ganja" hippies. The drinking policy is lax, but partying is not inordinate. And, there are some exceptions but I do think that bates campus is inordinately friendly.

Sarah

Yes - big drinking scene Yes - rigorous academics (really great professors, tough classes but worth it!) Yes - close knit student body, although cliquey and fairly segregated Yes - tight student-faculty interactions. I love how much input I have and how I really feel like I matter. I really love my professors, and for the most part the administration too.

Sarah

Yes! I mean, the "friendly" one isn't a negative stereotype, just what people associate with the college. Everyone is definitely friendly - and sincere about it.

kevin

Not all are true. Just the Die Hard boston fans part. lol

Andrew

if you consider the majority of the student body they are

Elliot

Not necessarily, like in all place of the world, there are many dime pieces, and there are some who arent the cream of the crop. I feel like the majority of the girls here are close to the good end of the beauty spectrum, but not all.... Most people here are rich. The school is expensive, and as far as i know there arent too many scholarships, and the financial aid didn't do shit for a lot of people. Spoiled maybe...but Bates is a place where it isn't until you are invited to stay in their beach house or go to there condo on the ski slopes or something like that, that you can really tell how wealthy or such they are. Kids at bates are very accepting of one another, and most dress the same regardless or socioeconomic status.

Melissa

There are definitly some people who may fit that mold but there is also everything in between

Rob

As far as all Bates students being wealthy, that just simply isn't true. I think college has really proven the value of a dollar to me. Most students are socially conscious, and environmentally conscious. In addition, many students love the outdoors, but I wouldn't stereotype the majority of the campus as hippies.

Devin

No, Bates is pretty diverse because we pull students from different backgrounds, with different interests, and experiences. The Bates Community is the best thing about Bates.

Kate

These are right on the money. I'd say there's a little bit of all of that going on at Bates.

Casey

yes

Ben

There certainly are a fair number of people who fit into either of these categories, but it would be unfair to say that either of them dominate the social or academic scene. That said, if either of those things are up your alley, then you know who to look for when you arrive. As a member of the axe-wielding contingent, I can say that people at Bates, almost invariably, are friendly and will be welcoming of just about anyone.

David

This is not true, there are people of all styles.

Alex

Yes!

Dylan

except for the students being very studious, i'd say yes. it's a well-balanced college.

Jenny

I'd definitely say there are a fair amount of both hippies and athletes. There are lots of environmental people, but also lots of people who could care less about that stuff.

Stuart

Yes to the 20 minutes outside of Boston. A lot of students are from there. But its really just enough to make a joke out of it. To give an example, in my close group of friends of about 9 only one is from outside Boston. as far as being hippies Bates has the spectrum but definitely leans heavily toward the freethinking and progressive side.

Mallory

A less than half of students come from private schools and although there are a few "preppy" students here, they are a fairly small minority.

Theodore

Well, there are a large number of activists on campus but there are a fair amount of very business minded people who do not want to get involved in solving social problems. The town is boring but the school knows this and so there are frequent trips to more exciting areas such as Freeport, Portland and Brunswick. There is always something to do, at least for me, and so I do not have time to be bored at all. Although the Maine schools are not too far from each other, we do not see much of them.

April

No! I came to Bates because it was exactly different than my hometown college that is compared to Bates. People do so much volunteering and are so friendly it is so great. Oh and about the rich kids...yes they are on campus.. but the fact is you don't really know who they are. No one really faunts their wealth and are pretty chill because people what to make a life for themselves and not live off of mommy and daddy for the rest of their life.

Anna

There are, of course, people who fall into these categories at the extremes, but the vast majority of students are normal, friendly, intelligent people who love life and are intent on making the most of it.

Sasha

Some of them -- I think for a majority they are just habits and patterns and personalities that a person develops once they get here due to the culture thats given off -- not necessarily because they are or were that person before.

Morgan

To an extent, I think the reputation is accurate. Bates is academically very tough, and many students do go on to good grad schools. However, a significant part of the student body does not, instead choosing to go into non-profit work. Batesies do a lot of interesting things, though most people don't ever find out because, insofar as PR, Bates is less than adequate. Socially, I think the school's reputation is flawed; there may be many wealthy New England prep school kids, but the campus is most significantly a hippie's paradise. Prep school and polos definitely take a back seat to radical activism, leaning to the far left.

Lisa

This is absolutely accurate. Batesies work hard, but they definitely know how to have fun, too.