We’d like to learn more about you, and how we might be able to serve you better.

We’ve created an inquiry form just for you! If you would like to ask questions, get information, announce your college fairs, please fill out our counselor inquiry form.

If you would like to schedule a visit to campus, please call the admission office at 800-528-0025.

Approach to admissions

Each application is reviewed holistically by several members of our admission committee, which includes faculty, current students, and admission staff. We are specifically looking for evidence of:

  • Strong academic preparation and achievement
  • Intellectual curiosity and a love of learning
  • Desire to be part of a small college community with a focus on human ecology
  • A tendency to seek out intellectual and personal challenges
  • Ability to thrive in a self-directed environment

COA is SAT/ACT optional. Our CEEB code is 3305.

Counselors by region

Heather Albert-Knopp: Dean of Admission - Counselor for: Transfer students, Mid-Atlantic, & Southeast

Todd Miner: Assistant Director of Admission - Counselor for: International students, West, Southwest, Midwest, & US Territories

Casey Schuller Jordan: Admission Counselor - Counselor for: New England

Event for counselors

College Counselors’ Getaway

College of the Atlantic hosts a small number of college counselors for a three-day visit to our campus, and a chance to explore Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Email lblack@coa.edu for more information, or to be added to our invitation list. There is a $50 program fee and counselors are responsible for travel to/from Bar Harbor. (Additional costs if bringing family members.)

Timeline and deadlines

Early Decision I
-Admission and financial aid applications: November 15
-Response to applicants: December 15
-Enrollment deposit: January 10

Early Action
-Admission application: December 1
- Financial aid application: January 3 (for 2024 only)
-Response to Applicants: late January
-Enrollment Deposit: May 1

Early Decision II
-Admission and financial aid applications: January 15
-Response to applicants: January 30
-Enrollment deposit: February 15

Regular Decision
-Admission and financial aid applications: February 1
-Response to applicants: April 1
-Enrollment deposit: May 1
*Note: Regular Decision applications are reviewed and decisions are made after both rounds of Early Decision applications have been completed. 

How to apply

Students may apply for undergraduate admission using either the Common Application or the COA application. We do not have an application fee.

Each application will be considered complete when we have the following:

  • A completed application form
  • At least two teacher recommendations
  • Official transcripts of all academic work
  • School report and counselor recommendation (first-year students only)

Additional resources

Financial aid at COA

COA is proud that our students have repeatedly ranked us among the top schools in the nation for financial aid, and we consistently do our best to make it possible for all students to afford the college. 

More about COA…

All COA students study human ecology, the investigation of the relations between humans and their environments. Human ecology at COA is strongly interdisciplinary and gives students broad latitude to choose courses that meet their goals and interests.

No two students study human ecology in the same way. That’s because everyone designs their own major—there are few degree requirements. Students have the freedom (and responsibility) to build a curriculum that is right for them.

  • COA is on a trimester schedule with fall, winter, and spring terms of ten weeks each.
  • Students take three classes per trimester.
  • All students complete an internship at a workplace in their field.
  • All students design and undertake a capstone senior project.
  • We don’t have academic departments, but students may find our areas of study (which are not concentrations or majors) helpful to look at course offerings.
  • More than half of our students have an international experience (including study abroad) during their time at COA.
  • Our teacher certification program prepares students to teach at the elementary and high school level.

Statement of nondiscrimination

College of the Atlantic admits students on the basis of the individual’s qualifications to contribute to the college’s educational objectives. COA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or veteran’s status. COA operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. 

COA seal

Our seal is composed of three symbols: human, earth, and water. Enjoined in a circle, these elements depict the essential connection between people and our environments—the central theme of human ecology.