Which of these Maine schools/colleges do you consider the best, and why, also what I need to get in?

Question

I'm interested in Environmental Science and Writing. I'm looking into Bates, Colby, and Bowdoin. COA looks kind of neat, but the size is not what I'm looking for in a school, and I want someplace where I can meet more people but at the same time find a tight knit group I fit into. Bates...and the others are reaches for me. I'm a Junior, but hey if I got into one of them then that would be amazing. I plan on a 3.5 gpa end of senior year, working really hard this year and next. I'm not so hot at testing, looking at 600s in the english portion, but probably a 550 on the math section SAT. I'm a smart kid but math isn't my strong point. Good at talking and stuff so definitely will interview! So if any alums or current students or super smart college guru kind of people want to give me some advice about them, and what I need to get in that'd be wonderful. Thanks a bunch=)

infusionismusic

Answer 1

All three of these schools are highly respected and will give you a good education. They are similar in many ways, but each has its own feel. I think you definitely need to visit in order to decide.

Hopefully some alumni from these schools will see your question and give you an answer. If not, try again. You might also try posting a question on the Princeton Review chat boards. There are a lot of kids on there who might have something useful to say.

Answer 2

Google for each of these schools and look at their admissions websites to find out what they expect of potential students. The websites below will also be useful. Your grades and SAT scores are only two of the things that they will be looking at. Make certain that you also have good extra-curricular activities, which will show that you are a well-rounded person.

Why are you limiting yourself to just Maine? The Princeton Review, linked below, lists 320 colleges that offer Environmental Science as a major. I got 863 hits at the Peterson's guide, linked below. Both of these are reliable sources - I'm a college librarian; I know how to evaluate sources.

When you take the SAT, make sure you send your scores to these schools that you mentioned, but be open to other schools that you may not have considered - you might get a better offer somewhere else, which you can either accept, or use as a bargaining chip with your first choice school to see if they'll offer you more.

Good luck to you.