Bates College
- Academics

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Bates College - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Academics

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Full-Time Student Population 1,738
Part-Time Student Population 0
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 151
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 40
Total FT Faculty 151
Faculty with Terminal Degree 90%
Average Faculty Salary $89,084
Full-Time Retention Rate 92%
Transfer-Out Rate 9%
Graduation Rate 88%
Programs/Majors Offered 36
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 67%
  • 20 to 49 students: 29%
  • 50 or more students: 4%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Bates professors tend to be outstanding. Most are experts in their fields, and they generally bring a high degree of enthusiasm to the classes they teach. There are certainly some who, because they are tenured, don’t care much about bringing new approaches to their courses, but most professors care very deeply about the subjects they’ve chosen to teach. On the whole, Bates professors are very approachable, and some are even open to receiving phone calls from overstressed students during the wee hours of the morning. The school’s small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratio ensure that students are able to develop close relationships with their professors if they choose to do so. This encourages an atmosphere of mutual respect—many professors will ask their students to call them by their first names, and often professors request that students aid them in research projects and other such endeavors. Because so many classes are small and discussion-oriented, students are often deeply involved in their courses.

Probably the biggest issue facing Bates academics at the moment is general education requirements. In order to graduate, students must fulfill these requirements, which, coupled with a student’s major requirements—most of which involve writing a senior thesis—can be very difficult for a student to complete. Compounding the problem is the fact that entry-level natural science courses are almost always over-enrolled—some by as many as 100 students. So, students who are taking courses simply to fulfill gen ed requirements compete for places with students who are taking the courses for their majors or because they’re genuinely interested in the subjects. Aside from the gen ed requirements, students have few complaints about classes and professors at Bates. The system may have a few flaws, but the professors and the courses offered are above average, to say the least.

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Bates Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Bates College

rangoon3

Philosophy '14

4.6
A

Understated, but Rigorous, Challenging and Enriching!!!

Bates College academics are often shorted in comparison to its "higher ranked" (according to US NEWS) counterpart, Bowdoin, but many sibling comparisons have found that Bates offers more challenge with less inflation. Bates professors hold their students to a very high standard of discussion and critical thinking. The best part about academics at Bates is though all students are intelligent, they do not shove it down your throat. You can find yourself talking about last night's primetime television in Commons and then critiquing Kant's categorical imperatives. It is a nice "best-of-both-worlds" atmosphere that is reflected in the extremely approachable staff who all yield impressive resumes (often more impressive due to their young age). They are leaders in their field who chose Bates for many of the same reasons the students did: To enrich within a small, comfortable academic setting with a unpretentious atmosphere.

Feb 20, 2012

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Academics at Bates College

lobster317

Political Science and Government '12

5.0
A+

One of the Top Staffs Here

The politics department is stocked with a bunch of brilliant professors who not only really know what they're talking about, but manage to cover a vast spectrum of different types of study within politics. They're also a bunch of cool people, with a bunch of old-timers that have been doing it for so long there is cohesion, but with enough new talent that it's interesting too. Couldn't recommend it more highly.

Dec 12, 2011

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Academics at Bates College

eunice_fda1

Liberal Arts and Humanities '14

4.6
A

Resources and Extra Help

Bates has numerous programs and workshops for students who need extra assistance in their major, primarily the sciences. Professors go out of their way to help students and giv them any extra assistance that they may need.

Aug 08, 2010

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User rating for Bates College - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 20 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: No
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 6 or 7
Degrees Awarded Bachelor's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Economics and Econometrics: 5%
  • History, General: 5%
  • Political Science and Government, General: 5%
  • Psychology: 5%
Special Study Options
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • Ladd Library
  • Pettengill Hall (study areas and department lounges)
  • The Ronj
Did You Know?
  • One of the most unique aspects of Bates is its calendar. The five-week spring Short Term enables students to focus on a single course, often one that they would not be able to take otherwise. Sample Short Term courses include: Roller Coasters (students study the mathematics behind roller coasters and visit theme parks), For the Love of Dogs (students read literature about dogs and visit dogs at animal shelters), Shakespeare in London (students spend two weeks on campus studying various Shakespeare plays and then travel to London, Canterbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Oxford for three weeks to see the plays and explore British culture).
  • During Short Term, the Student Activities Office runs an Experimental College, which consists of a variety of non-credit, extracurricular courses, such as bartending, yoga, ballroom dancing, knitting, and basic car mechanics.
  • Many Bates students also participate in service-learning programs. These include mentoring local children, developing community gardens with Lots to Gardens, or working with the Lewiston Housing Authority.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Jessie Sawyer
Hometown
Farmington, CT
Major
English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a Spanish minor

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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