Admissions
is this your place?
Currently seeking: 100 new points of view
Each fall we welcome 100 new students to our vibrant community on the Maine coast. COA students come from more than 40 states and 45 countries around the globe, united by an adventurous spirit, an abiding love of learning and sense of curiosity, and a commitment to creating a more just and sustainable world.
Your admissions Journey
We know the college admissions process can be intense: we’re here to help you navigate this journey from start to finish.
Step 1
Request info or connect
Curious about COA? Request information or schedule a brief video chat with an admissions counselor.
Step 2
Visit our campus or join an event
Experience our oceanfront campus firsthand or attend a virtual admissions event.
Step 3
Apply
Submit your application through the Common App—no fee required.
- Submit your application
- Schedule an admission interview (encouraged but not required)
Step 4
Discover your financial aid options
Over 80% of our students receive need-based financial aid, with many scholarship opportunities available.
Step 5
Confirm and enroll
Admitted students confirm their spot and begin planning for campus life through our applicant portal. We’ll keep you informed of all the steps along the way right up through your arrival to campus!
Generous AID Packages
More than 80% of COA students receive need-based financial aid, with the average scholarship or grant for first-year students exceeding $39,000. COA meets 99% of demonstrated financial need, and students consistently rank the college among the best in the nation for financial aid.
Need-based assistance
COA is committed to making a human ecology education accessible to every admitted student, regardless of income or financial background. Complete your FAFSA and use our net price calculator to see how aid can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs — the best way to understand true affordability is to apply.
Merit scholarships
All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based awards recognizing academic achievement and citizenship qualities. Additional scholarships are available for Maine educators’ children, community college transfer students, and other qualifying backgrounds — no separate application required.
Work-study
On-campus work-study positions give students a way to offset costs while gaining real professional experience within COA’s close-knit community. International students are also eligible, and COA provides each student up to $1,800 in expeditionary learning funds to support travel courses, independent studies, and off-campus residencies.
Resources for parents & Counselors
Although COA values independent thinking, we recognize that parents, guardians, and counselors play pivotal roles. If you’re guiding a prospective student, explore these resources:
Visit us in Maine
Feel the coastal breeze, tour our oceanfront campus, chat with current students, and see the experiential learning that defines COA.
Visit our campus
You belong here
Join our community of dreamers and doers
At COA, you’ll chart your own path alongside world-class faculty, forge lifelong friendships, and create tangible impact.
Stories from the Field
Lamb-ageddon! Crowd goes wild as baby sheep frolic on the field
COA Peggy Rockefeller Farm’s Leaping into Spring event is a sweet tradition that signals the turning of the season on Mount Desert Island. Via Bar Harbor Story. Read More
Endowment and innovation keep Bar Harbor college viable, new interim leader says
Incoming interim president Lynn Boulger highlights the $95 million endowment and unique academic focus keeping COA secure, via Bangor Daily News. Read More
From rare visitors to regular sightings, the bears in Acadia National Park
College of the Atlantic students and faculty will collaborate with the National Park Service and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries on a multi-year study of the local bear population, the Bangor Daily News reports via Bar Harbor Story. Read More
Student Resources
Thorndike Library
Research expertise, specialized databases, and guidance for independent and collaborative projects across disciplines.
Registrar
Registration, course offerings, student forms, transcripts, and support as you design your program of study.
Writing Center
Focused help for brainstorming, drafting, revising, and refining papers, projects, proposals, and presentations.
Career Development
Internship planning and placement, resume and interview preparation, and connections to meaningful work.
Academic Support Services
Study skills, learning strategies, and accommodations designed around your strengths and challenges.
Meal menu
From curries to carnitas, savory tofu to Maine seafood, our dining hall celebrates flavor, community, and responsible sourcing.
more student resources and info
Everything you’re looking for (we hope) in one central place.
Ready to build your own path?
Apply Now
Join a close-knit community built for curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
connect with admissions
Talk with an admission counselor about your interests, questions, and goals.
Plan a Visit
Attend a class, meet students, and experience learning rooted in place.