Is COA Right for Me?
An interdisciplinary approach to education
The COA Experience
COA is small, interdisciplinary, experiential, and flexible
At College of the Atlantic, we aim to serve students from a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. Our students come from across the US and around the world, and are united by a desire to be part of a community of creative people who want to make the world better.
COA students typically have strong academic preparation, curiosity and a love of learning, a tendency to seek out intellectual and personal challenges, and an ability to thrive in a self-directed environment. If you’re intrigued by the idea of being part of a small college community with a focus on human ecology, we hope you’ll apply!
COA might be right for you if…
- You’re curious and self-directed
- You love to dig into complex questions
- You connect best with dynamic teachers who challenge you to think in new ways
- You’re looking for a school that’s also a community
- You care not only about what you learn, but how you learn it
- You have multiple areas of interest you’d like to study
- You see things in the world you’d like to change and believe change is possible
Visit our campus
Explore College of the Atlantic
Visiting our campus is the best way to get to know us, but we’d love to talk to from afar as well. On campus, you’ll take a tour, interview with one of our admission counselors, sit in on a class, and eat in our dining hall to see if our community feels right. Online, we’ll do our best to help you understand COA and whether we might be a good fit for each other.
Stories from the Field
T. Rex ran on its tiptoes “Like an eight-ton chicken”
The New York Times reports on a groundbreaking biomechanics study led by COA’s Adrian Boeye ’26. Read More
10th annual COA Summer Institute features star lineup
The 2026 College of the Atlantic Summer Institute will bring some of the nation’s most compelling thinkers, artists, and public leaders to Mount Desert Island for a week of conversation and inquiry marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. 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.
more student resources and info
Everything you’re looking for (we hope) in one central place.
Meal menu
From curries to carnitas, savory tofu to Maine seafood, our dining hall celebrates flavor, community, and responsible sourcing.
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.