Bates College Top Questions

I've had tons of great classes here. Professors tend to be fantastic. I have developed really strong relationships with four to five professors, and feel respected, challenged, and appreciated by all of them. I would really suggest choosing classes for the professor, because it makes a hell of a lot of a difference. One thing that bothers me about academics at Bates is that many students don't seem engaged in their classes. I find I am often the only one that actively participates in discussions and the only one to raise my hand in class. Students here do not seem very intellectually engaged (of course their are exceptions), and that has been a big let down. I get around it by getting involved in my own pursuits - my interdisciplinary major, research for curiosity's sake, community work, and clubs that are actually active like the Immigration Group. I have found friends that do have intellectual conversations, and that makes a big difference.

I am a rhetoric major, and didn't even know what rhetoric was until I got to my Sophomore year at Bates and a Junior told me it was a great department. Originally, I wanted to be a Political Science major, but I was uncomfortable with the department and the professors... I didn't feel like I knew them. I was challenged with Rhetoric and I feel that the professors became my friends and taught me all they could. I also went abroad to Paris, France my Junior year (both semesters). I had a great time abroad and, although Bates was hesitant in giving me the credit I wanted for the nine months I was abroad (and studying hard in French!), the experience was worth it and I became fluent in French. I am also a French minor. The academics are hard and rewarding. Thesis was a great project and I am very proud of myself.

Academics at Bates are the best. it's tough, yet manageable. the professors know you name, and there are so many classes to choose from. my personal favorite would be acting and directing for the camera with Paul Kuritz. i really do recommend that class a lot. the professors here are very funny individuals, so if you're looking for interesting people then look no further. Oh yeah the kids here do like to be competitive.

Small class sizes where for better or worse the professor will know your name and expect you in class. Just yesterday my entire class (including the professor) walked to a student's dorm room to wake her up when she slept in and tried to skip class. While thats the norm they do hold you to a high standard and it is highly rewarding in the end. We are all required to write a senior thesis which might have been the most agonizing year of my life but the end product was definitly something to be proud of.

Bates academics are very good. Professors are very personable and know everyone in the class on an individual basis. Professors are also very approachable. The new distribution requirements are kind of a headache, but once you figure out your major and concentrations it doesn't seem so crazy.

Bates has a small class size which means you definitely develop close student-professor relationships. Especially within my major, I have had many important professor/mentors that have helped me through signing up for classes, working on thesis, and writing recommendations. I have been over to professors houses for dinner. Students are competitive only internally, it's a very cooperative environment and most students form study groups and help each other out. Bates students are pretty focused and smart which means while we spend a good amount of time studying, the college also encourages students to pursue their interests outside of the classroom. Every student at Bates has at least one 'other' thing outside of academics that they are actively pursuing. So whether it's a sport, an art, volunteer, or a club, students are very involved in the Bates, Lewiston, and larger community.

The academics here are great, if you make them. The class sizes are small, and most are geared toward participation and discussion. The professors will know your names (and you will interact with them on a first-name basis too!), they want you to ask questions, and they care about you-they want you to do well! I'm a biology major, but I've found the science departments here to be slightly lacking. As far as majors and concentrations, it doesn't get more specific than "biology" or "chemistry"-two fields that can get pretty darn specific! I'd have to say my favorite class would be Intro to Medieval Archaeology; the professor was one of the nicest guys I've ever met and the material was soo interesting. Students are really lax about their studies. There is a lot of working together in groups, and absolutely no competition (which can be really good or really bad depending on the type of person you are). Finals week can get pretty stressful, but other than that, the atmosphere is really REALLY chill.

The Students at Bates create an amazing academic atmosphere. Although we love our partying, it is not commonplace to stumble upon a group of people funneling beers while discussing the pros and cons of free trade or universal healthcare.

At Bates, it is hard to find a class with more than 40 people, and even in these intro classes you will find that the professors genuinely care about learning your name, often to the extent of making flash cards with your picture on them. Professors at Bates are largely there to teach (we're not exactly a research institution), and they (reasonably) assume that you are there to learn. Class participation, while not always mandated by grading rubrics, is nearly always expected. Doing your homework is both common and expected, resulting in a fair amount of time spent in the library or other study locations every day. That said, most of us spend a good amount of our days doing something fun, be it playing competitive ultimate frisbee or waking up before dawn to row on the Androscoggin River. My majors (History and German) are both relatively small, but I get the impression that most majors feel small in that your advisors know you well, and know their colleagues, and care about your well-being. Lastly, and definitely unique to Bates, is the fact that all seniors have to complete a thesis of some sort for their major, whether it be a lengthy research project, a scientific experiment, or a series of paintings. This brings you closer to a member of the faculty (your advisor), and gives you something to be really proud of as you complete your major.

Bates allows for you to explore your academics as much or as little as you want. It is possible to get by without working yourself to the bone, but if you really want a strong education you can pile on the work. There are many amazing professors.