Student Reviews

College of the Atlantic (COA) Reviews

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• Sky

  07/29/2011

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  10 out of 10 people found this review useful. 1 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	Students at COA are interested in a myriad of subjects and studies. Don't let the one major concept scare you. Human ecology is, in very brief and broad terms, the study of the nature of human interaction with their environment. That being said, the typical COA student (if you can call them typical) is dedicated, curious, and self-driven. Whether you're into economics, plants, or art, you can find a place at College of the Atlantic.
  Tips for prospective students	Prospective students should definitely visit in person. Most students are from out of state, and travel may be difficult, but it is definitely worth it. College of the Atlantic can not be put into words, it is an experience in itself. I would advise students to apply for the Fall Fly-in before their senior year. For this program, students write a personal essay on a given topic and if they are selected, COA will provide an all-expenses paid trip to visit the college, stay in a dorm, and interview with a counselor.
  Bang for the buck	The price tag of any college can add sticker-shock. Admittedly, College of the Atlantic isn't cheap. It is a private institution and is priced as such. However, students at College of the Atlantic come from all walks of life, all income levels, etc. An impressive number of international students flock here each year. COA is extremely generous with scholarship money, grants, etc. A very committed staff will personally take the time to make sure you can afford your tuition. You can also choose to be involved in work-study, which is an enriching part of the COA experience. One of the positions is well sought after - kitchen duty, where students learn to prepare organic and local foods with care. Whatever the price tag, COA is invaluable. It will diversify you, allow you to travel (money is set aside for this), change your perspective on the world, and introduce you to people that can and will help you grow as a person.
  Am enjoying being here	Most people will tell you that as soon as they stepped on campus, they knew it was home. It could have been the view from the cozy, woodsy campus - from the patio of Kaelber hall, you can look out onto the breathtakingly beautiful Frenchman bay. Perhaps it was the people that felt like home. Friendly, energetic intellectuals who welcome just about anyone they see around campus. Maybe it took the classroom experience to pull them in. Sitting in on your first COA class is like being introduced to an entirely new world of possibilities. Challenging, fun, often mind-blowing. So what do we do for fun on a tiny island off the coast of Maine? Acadia National Park is more or less the back yard of College of the Atlantic. It is an amazing opportunity for recreation and education, beautiful year-round. At the college, students are rarely bored. From All College Meetings (or ACM), where students have a powerful voice in the college's decisions, to open mics, theater presentations, dances, and field trips.
  Am learning a lot	The positive energy at COA is infectious. When everyone around you is incredibly passionate about what they're studying, it's hard to resist your own curiosity. The concept of going to class is completely redefined at the college by spirited professors, field work, independent studies, and hands-on applications. COA believes that college should not be a time out of life, but should be a time of learning that inspires your future. Professors become good friends. Your education is virtually completely up to you - if you have an idea, people at the college will be enthusiastic to help make it happen. An internship and senior project are required, and the products and experiences of each student are drastically individual and unique. At around 300 students, classes of about 8 people or so engage in in-depth conversations. You will not only be able to engage in your own passions, you will learn HOW to learn, which is an invaluable aspect of education.

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• Brittany from Ventura, CA

  01/13/2011

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  8 out of 8 people found this review useful. 2 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	COA is for students that are passionate about learning that don't want to be bound to one area of study. They see the interconnections between subjects and want to integrate them and create their own curriculum. COA is for students that want to be involved in a community. Students tend to have a sense of social and environmental responsibility, and are the idealistic types. The motto for the school is life changing, world changing and I think students really reflect that.
  Tips for prospective students	The people in the admissions office are welcoming and they just want to get to know you. You should come visit and see it for yourself. Schedule an interview while you are here and if you can't make it, at least, schedule a phone or Skype interview.
  Bang for the buck	COA gives generous financial aid and is a need-blind school. I received the Presidential Scholarship so I am granted $12,000 in addition, to money set aside for research or study abroad. But, I hear from my friends as well that COA offered them more aid than any of the other schools they applied to.
  Am enjoying being here	COA is in a beautiful location on the coast on Maine, right next to Acadia National Park. You can always find something to do outside, even in the winter. The community is really welcoming and supportive, making it easy to meet people and make friends right away. On campus every Sunday, there are community dinners, where people cook and eat, with the other residents. On Wednesdays, there are All College Meetings, where students have the opportunity to voice their opinions about issues on campus. COA is a truly amazing place and I am really enjoying being a part of it.
  Am learning a lot	Professors here are passionate and devoted to their students, in addition, to being well recognized in their fields. Class sizes are small, usually about 10 students, allowing professors to get to know their students personally. They usually recommend meeting every couple weeks to check in and give feedback. Classes have been challenging, pushing me to excel, but not too difficult to the point where it is over my head.

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• Alex from Cedarburg, WI

  03/22/2012

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  5 out of 5 people found this review useful. 3 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	Adventurers, outdoorsy types, artists, critical thinkers, go-getters, problem-solvers, questioners of all things, explorers, voracious learners.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	There are endless little nooks and places to explore along the waterfront or in the gardens of the school. The buildings themselves have a lot of character, and if you need some perfect spot to study or read or think or sit, you will most certainly find it.
  Bang for the buck	It's an expensive school, make no mistake, but the financial aid is still very good. In the end, it comes out (for me) to be slightly more expensive than a state school back home.
  What to do for fun	Swim in the ocean, explore Acadia National Park, sail one of the school's boats, paddle a kayak or canoe, go snowshoeing, jam with students, play a pickup game of soccer or ultimate or ice hockey, make great food with your housemates, learn!
  Food and Dining	Vegan, veg, gluten-free friendly. Typically pretty tasty food, much of which is sourced locally or even from the school's organic farm. Can be a bit pricey, but the grocery store (and a small natural foods store) is not far away in town.
  Dorm Life	I live off campus, but the dorms all have character and lead to fantastic community.
  Academic Rigor	The school is all about letting you test your limits and plumb your passions. You can choose to take classes for a grade, or pass-fail, and many professors encourage the latter because they believe that grades are not actually representative of a student's learning or ability. Students often set up independent studies and can take a term-long residency in which they fully explore any topic of interest to them. Classes are often small and discussion based. Because of this intimate setting, a lot is expected of students, and they can often be found reading dense, but interesting, material at all hours of the day and loving it.
  Tips for prospective students	Bring rubber boots! Chances are you'll be wading in tidal pools and rivers. Come prepared to explore absolutely everything you have ever been interested in. Stop thinking for a minute about how college is usually run.
  In three sentences	Built to let you find your own way to your own passion. Wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and a national park, it's the perfect setting for experiential learning. This is a school of Human Ecology, and it's up to the students to make that phrase do work for them.

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• Jose from Panorama City, CA

  03/25/2010

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

  2 out of 22 people found this review useful. 2 people found this inaccurate. 4 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  Great for these types of students	For those who like small colleges
  Bang for the buck	Hey its a small college
  Will enjoy being here	Looks Nice
  Will learn a lot	They don't have the major I 'm going for.

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• Meghan from Toms River, NJ

  11/10/2012

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

  1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 5 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  Clubs and Activities	There is SO much to do at COA. While I was there, I went to a Peace-talk, listened to the chorus practice, and watched students play cricket and practice tight-rope walking.
  Great for these types of students	Lovers of nature, knowledge, choices, and freedom. Anyone who longs to take control of their education and learn more about themselves, the world, and learning itself.
  What to do for fun	Hike in Acadia National Park, swim in the ocean, explore! Canoe, kayak, climb the rocky shore, play games, chill with friends, read... the opportunities are limited only by you!
  Food and Dining	The food is amazing, and obviously made with care. The students at COA make the food, serve the food, and probably help plant it too (the college owns two farms). It's some of the best food I've ever had, and I love how they're so conscious of other people's preferences (There are always vegan options and more. Certainly, COA is a college full of choices and freedom!).
  Dorm Life	I stayed at College of the Atlantic for two days and two nights when I went to visit. Now, I'm normally very shy, but everyone was so incredibly nice, I was seldom nervous, and felt VERY welcome. The dorms are full of character, clean, comfortable, and homey. They range from old summer houses that were converted into dorms to more modern, recently built dorms.
  Academic Rigor	I sat in on three classes, and from what I could tell, the workload wasn't too bad, and the material was interesting. The professors are quirky and dedicated to their students- truly passionate people doing what they love. If you're passionate about learning, you'll do well indeed!
  Tips for prospective students	VISIT! It can be difficult to arrange travel and such, but visiting is worth it. There's so much about the college itself that can't be fully realized until you step on campus, smell the salt air, see the smiling faces that abound there, and explore a bit for yourself. Also, apply to the Fall Fly-In program. It's an amazing opportunity, and even if you don't get accepted, just applying can help you (I wasn't accepted, but received a $200 voucher to help pay for travel expenses when I went to visit the college anyway).
  In three sentences	If this college is anything, it's genuine. From the people to the location, everything about COA is holistic and caring. From the moment I set foot on campus to when I left two days later, I felt like I was home- I was incredibly at peace -and unshakably happy.

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• C. from NH

  04/07/2013

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

  6 of 6

  Categories	Comments
  What to do for fun	Anything outdoors!!!
  In three sentences	Love the Human Ecology Major. Wonderful location. Very small size so everyone would know your name.

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