Bates College Top Questions

Academics at Bates is definitely rigorous. You wont get away with not reading the required readings and then expect to ace the final, its just not going to happen! The most intense class I've ever taken was International Politics, the professor was so adaman

The academics at Bates are what you make of them. If you want, you can get by taking easy classes and not do much. However, if you chose a hard major and hard classes, you will definitely need to work to do well. The kids are studious and you won't find too many slackers. The students are not competitive with each other, and everyone minds their own business about grades. Because Bates is small, you can establish relationships with your teachers IF you make the effort.

very small classes, all professors knew my name. Many professors were informal and friendly and acted like 'real people,' not beings who were on an altogether higher plane than their students. Discussions occurred during almost every class period, and were frequently heated. The students are completely uncompetitive, almost every student would help, rather than hinder, a fellow student. My favorite departments were Physics, German/Russian, and Music My least favorite was Mathematics (widely accepted as a poor department) Physics is a very friendly, small department. Their were 7 professors for 7 majors in my graduating class There was definitely a physics camaraderie, developed from small classes, jointly accomplished homework assignments, frequent lectures by outside speakers, and shared lab space Education is definitely geared towards learning for its own sake, as opposed to towards getting a job.

I've taken 16 classes, and all but 2 of my professors knew my name. I've been so impressed with the professors, especially in the psychology department. Every professor is so enthusiastic about the classes that he or she teaches, and that has a huge impact on the students. I'm a psych major, and I took a class called Motivation and Emotion (a biopsych class) which was the best class I've taken at Bates. I never had any interest in the biological bases of psychology, but this class and my professor's enthusiasm and encouragement turned me into a biopysch major. Professors are very accessible and willing to help--they want you to come to them when you're having trouble. It shows them that you care and that you really want to understand the material. I honestly don't think I would have made it through some of my classes if I didn't stop by my professors' offices on several occasions. I think it's also important to note that professors are equally as excited to talk about your interests and experiences; I've spent a great deal of time talking to my professors about mutual interests and aspirations. One of my professors, who's the chair of the neuroscience department, suggested that I (not a neuro major) speak to him about figuring out a potential path for the rest of college and beyond. I don't know why he took such an interest in my choices, but it was so encouraging and reassuring and made me realize how special Bates is. In my experience--and maybe this is just because I'm a psych major--the education is geared toward learning for its own sake. I've taken some classes that will not help me at all in terms of getting a job, but that have broadened my scope of interest and knowledge. It's refreshing to see professors teaching classes on subjects that may not lead directly to successful careers, but that they are passionate about. For the most part, students are very focused on their studies and spend a lot of time working. Students are competitive, but I find that we're competitive more with ourselves than with our peers. I always study in groups, and have found that everyone is willing to share their opinions, knowledge, and everyone is eager to help each other.

My professors always know my name- but it's the students that help me learn. Everyone loves to have intellectual conversations all of the time. It's not a competition, though, it's a free spirited sharing of ideas. I have know idea how I'm going to get a job, but I'm only a freshman so...

Some really great professors but the average Bates student is of only moderate intellect. Most Bates kids cheat and the library is a joke. Yes classes are usually small but all the professors live in Portland so they are never around.

Most people spend several days relaxing, and then spend an night frantically catching up. But it all gets done, and generally done well, because Batesies are good under pressure.

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.

Every professor you've ever had (even for a big lecture class three years ago) remembers your name. Some professors even study their students' ID pictures before the first day of class so that they can call on people by name during the first few minutes of the first class. Creepy? Maybe. Awesome? Definitely. There are a lot of high-achievers here, but they're competitive with themselves, not with their classmates. You don't usually share your grades on individual assignments with friends unless you did poorly and want to ask for help. People usually only discuss grades they got in a course after they've completed the course and it's over and done with. For example, two of my closest friends won prestigious awards for academic achievement during the first year. I didn't even know about their honors until about a year later when I accidentally fell upon the press release! They were never grade-obsessed, always modest, just like everyone else. You can always find a friend in the library on a weeknight, but I feel like I've had more intellectual conversations in a friend's dorm room and in Commons (the dining hall) than in the library. The library's the place where most of the high-achievers spend lots of time pouring over their readings and notes. Of course, sometimes this is necessary. But students also work through their academics by discussing class topics over lunch with friends.

The academics at Bates are stellar. If you're worried about a small student population, just sit in on a class here. While introductory psychology class had about 90 students, the professor to student ratio is 10:1. Meeting with professors to discuss a class, how you plan to graduate, or the weather couldn't be easier at Bates. The numbers aside, the actual professors are also exceptional across all disciplines. I've taken psychology, philosophy, Roman history, neuroscience, french and English classes and each professor has not only been accessible but often actually inspiring. I didn't know I wanted to be a psychology major until I took my second class, but the professor's enthusiasm and expertise made me realize I could spend the next four years studying this stuff.