Links: Colleges of Maine

Like Vermont and New Hampshire, Maine is a beautiful state with a tempo that's a little more relaxed than the pulse of Boston and Providence. It's a place to eat cheap lobster, play at the beach, hike through the woods and hills, and generally celebrate the natural world. Yes, the winters can be cold and a little isolating, but cities like Portland and Bangor are legitimate urban centers that can still give you a sense of civilization out here on the east coast's last frontier.

I didn't drive through Maine on this particular trip, but here are some exceptional universities you can visit virtually or on your own college tours in the months and years to come.


Unity College: http://www.unity.edu/
If you're looking for an education focused on the natural world, Unity might be the place for you. Unity brands itself as "America's Environmental College," and the college has exceptional programs in marine biology, environmental science, and sustainability technology and design. Check out Unity if you're excited about leadership in conservation and wildlife biology.

Bowdoin College: http://www.bowdoin.edu
Bowdoin College (pronounced (BOH-din) was founded in 1794 and has long been a leader in excellent higher education. They're one of many US colleges including Harvard and Princeton that have a "no loans" financial aid policy--that is, all students' demonstrated financial need will be met with grants and work-study funding, never with student loans. Bowdoin has been an "SAT optional" institution since the early 1970s, and their admission process focuses on finding exceptional students hungry for a rigorous liberal arts education. They're one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country--they're commonly ranked among the likes of Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury. Bowdoin is one of the gems of New England colleges.

Bates College: http://www.bates.edu/
Bates College is one of the best small colleges in New England. Located in Maine's second largest city, Lewiston, Bates is another one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Like Bowdoin, Bates is a leader in the SAT-optional movement, and its students are renowned for being exceptionally well-rounded and broadly educated. One of the hallmarks of a Bates education is the 4-1-4 school year structure, through which students break up two four-month semesters with a one-month off-campus experience in work, research, or volunteering.