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COA is a small college deeply committed to interdisciplinary study and preparing students to make a difference in the world.
Founded - 1969, as an alternative to a traditional liberal arts college.
Character - Private; close-knit educational community; coed; non-sectarian; liberal arts
Degrees Offered - Bachelor of Arts, Master of Philosophy, both in Human Ecology
Academics - Unique interdisciplinary learning. No departments. All students design their own majors. Three main resource areas: Arts and Design, Environmental Sciences, and Human Studies.
Learning Approach - Small classes (average size is 12 students) emphasize engaged, interdisciplinary learning. Many classes are project-based, hands-on and are taught in a seminar format. Student/Faculty ratio: 9:1. 63% of our graduating class in 2007 studied abroad as part of their academic program.
Academic Partnerships - Eco League, the University of Maine, Olin College of Engineering, SALT Institute for Documentary Studies, National Outdoor Leadership School, The Landing School of Boat Design, and Sea Education Association
Campus - 35 Acres on the rocky coast of Mount Desert Island, Maine in the seaside town of Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park is minutes away.
Additional Facilities - Beech Hill Organic Farm and Forest (81 acres), Mount Desert Rock and Great Duck Island offshore research stations, Dorr Museum of Natural History.
National Rankings - Named one of the best education values in the country in Princeton Reviews 2007 survey. Only 2% of our classes have more than 20 students, the second smallest percentage in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. COA also has the second largest percentage of international students -- 17% -- in the U.S.
Accreditation - Fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
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Enrollment (07-08 school year) - 300 undergraduates students; 7 graduate students
Student : Faculty Ratio - 9:1
Average Class Size - 12 students
Geographic Distribution - 49 States and 38 Foreign Countries
Middle Atlantic: 15 %
New England: 43 %
West 4 %
South 6 %
Midwest 11 %
Southwest 2 %
Mountain 2 %
International 17 %
Graduates - 55% of COA's graduates attend graduate school within five years of completing a COA degree. 20% of COA graduates become scientists, 12% go into social service of government work, 23% are involved in education, 17% pursue careers in art and design, and 13% go into business.
Fellowships and Prizes - COA students and alumni have received the following national awards: Watson Fellowship, Morris K. Udall Scholarship, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, George C. Marshall Fellowship, Gilman Fellowship, and NASA Space Grant. |
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COA's faculty includes Fulbright Scholars, Peace Corps veterans, published authors, and active artists. 30% of the faculty are conversant in at least one language in addition to English.
Full-time Faculty - 25
Part-time Faculty - 15
Faculty with Ph.D.s of Terminal Degrees - 96% |
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Thorndike Library's collection includes over 36,000 books, 475 periodical subscriptions and newspaper subscriptions, foreign language tapes and recorded music. |
(for the year ending June 30, 2007)
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Operating Revenue - $12,700,000
Sources of Revenue - 77% student fees, 9% endowment, 14% other
Market Value of Endowment - $20,000,000 |
(for Fall 2007)
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Applications - 401
Admitted - 274
Deposited - 103
Average SAT (please note that COA does not require that students submit standardized test scores; only 53% of the class entering in Fall 2007 submitted SAT scores) -
Verbal 647
Math 589
Writing 631
High School Rankings -
Top 10% : 36%
Top 20% : 50%
Top 50% : 90% |
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Tuition, Room and Board (2007-2008) - $38,160
Percentage of Students Receiving Aid from the College - 69%
Average Aid Award - $18,000
Average Institutional Aid Award - $15,000
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Taking a Stand: COA was the first college in thecountry to pledge to reduce to zero the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that emits. Examples of our other sustainable practices include:
Food -
Fruits and Vegetables: College of the Atlantic's Beech Hill Farm provides organic greens as well as potatoes, carrots, onions and apples. Students can help raise the food they eat.
Other food items come from Maine co-ops and other organic and local sources.
Meats: 90% free-range, locally raised whenever possible.
Coffee: organic and fair trade only.
Office Supplies - Our environmentally and socially responsible purchasing policies include:
Paper: 100% chlorine and dioxin free with 60% post-consumer waste, for publications, photocopies and printing.
Printer Ink Cartridge Recycling on campus; with training given to local schools to recycle as wellOffice Supplies: purchased through a source focused on recycling & offering products with environmental certifications
Cleaning Chemicals - Using biodegradable materials for years; since 2004 using a 100% hydrogen peroxide cleaner.
Wood Procurement - Seeking products made from wood grown in sustainably-managed forests; no use of materials that off-gas chemicals or are cut from old-growth forests.
Energy - In 2004, COA was the first campus to make a multi-year commitment to be entirely powered by renewable energy, signing a 10-year contract with Endless Energy Corporation for electricity from their Maine wind power farm when it comes on line. Until then, our entire electrical energy use is offset through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates, also known as "green tags," from an existing out-of-state wind power source. |
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