Family Resources
At College of the Atlantic, your student’s success and wellness is our priority
We understand that college can be a complex and challenging time, and we want to make sure you and your student are supported along the way. If you have more questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to [email protected] or call 800‑528‑0025.
- Family weekend details
- Every October, families are invited to campus during Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. Activities include class visits, a presidential welcome, trips aboard R/V Osprey, and the lively Community Show where students display their many talents.
- Map and directions
- Where to stay
- Many hotels and inns are located within a mile of campus, some just a three-minute walk away!
- Mention COA when booking—some hotels may offer discounts.
- Where to eat
- We encourage you to join us for at least one meal in COA’s dining hall during your visit; but Bar Harbor also has a wide array of local restaurants and cafes!
- What to do
- COA farms: Tour our organic vegetable and livestock farms and see sustainable agriculture in action.
- The intertidal: Our island has miles of rocky shoreline where we practice ecology, art, and science.
- Downtown Bar Harbor: Step off campus to shop, sight see, and experience the charm of one of Maine’s most vibrant small towns.
- The COA Dorr Museum: Explore decades worth of natural history exhibits designed entirely by students.
- Experience the area by hiking, biking, or exploring in Acadia National Park, check out the Abbe Museum, or catch a movie at alumni-owned Reel Pizza Cinerama or a live event at the Criterion Theater.
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
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
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