College of the Atlantic

Date: Sep 01 2016
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I have just completed my first year at COA and overall I appreciate the individual approaches and the accessibility of all staff and faculty. There is only one degree and that is Human Ecology, which is fancy talk for a self-designed/focused degree. Everyone is on first name basis and everyone is considered to be capable regardless of experience. My advice would be to focus on doing you because that is all you have here. This is the best time and the best school to find yourself. Even if you transfer after 2 years, it is a great place to start. I should have listened to my parents when they told me to follow the "6 month rule" which is when you keep your private life to yourself and observe everyone around you until you learn who you can befriend/trust. It is an extremely small school, everyone knows everything. Be careful who you befriend and who you confide in. The education you receive here is based on how hard you are willing to work. YOU have to approach teachers and be ready to find other resources. This school is located on an island that is only 11 miles wide, so be ready to either be bored or join EcoLeague ( 6 other schools to study at) or take a leave of absence and enroll in another school. There are options, you have to find them. People are willing to help if you ask, even if they are not affiliated with the school. There are lots of science labs and artists/museums around. Also, be vocal. As much as we claim to be open minded, I see a lot students who use our acceptance as a way to be anti-heteronormative in a very negative way. The school is largely female and queer, but it doesn't excuse man hating or treating people poorly just because they do conform in some way (i.e being a white straight male). Acceptance is important and it starts with you. Also, know that we are a school who admits "riskier" students. You may find yourself amongst some of the laziest most privileged activists who focus their time on more westernized views/ getting drunk or high and coasting off others hard work for grades. A lot of students who are are down right shitty will often be weeded out since, we have 10 week terms and things get stressful by week 8. It is disciplined/ concentrated and if you are not ready for that then you just mess up all of your classes. We are in a very white state (Maine), but we have a huge international population. Just be wary that some of these students are privileged and wealthy and therefore can afford to study here usually without scholarship. Not all, but some. We also have students who are attracted to our relaxed atmosphere and deep mental/emotional health support system. You will see people take advantage of this in a negative way. These things occur at every school, but since we are only 350 students total, it is deeply concentrated and kind of in your face. You will experience all walks of life because there is no escaping it. The social life can be horrid because we all make mistakes and this school easily persecutes for them. (This can also be good is rallying against real injustices at the school and in the world) This degree is what you decide. It is rare to have this kind of deciding power so early on in your life. We have requirements but they often can be met by classes you will enjoy. You can focus in whatever you want and even create your own courses. One huge drawback is classes filling up, but thats everywhere too. Overall, this school is good for you to be independently driven and able to construct your own vision with great faculty advice most of the time. Just be wary of the small school environment and find ways to educate yourself abroad. Also, ignore the lazy/ harmful people, they tend to drop out after a term or two anyways.