Family Resources
At College of the Atlantic, your student’s success and wellness are our priorities
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!
- Acadia Inn offers COA visitors 10-15% discounts in April and May, other than Memorial Day weekend. Guests must call to book.
- Atlantic Oceanside offers discounts for COA visitors year-round. Guests must call to book.
- 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.
- Schedule a campus tour
Stories from the Field
Research offers new insights into Atlantic sea scallop reproduction
Research led by Kaitlyn Kowaleski ’19 found that Atlantic sea scallops produce fewer viable eggs than previously estimated, offering new insights for fisheries management and marine conservation. Read More
Leading one of Maine’s most beloved events
April Boucher ’06 has spent more than a decade leading the Common Ground Country Fair while building a career rooted in her values. Read More
From a pipette in Bar Harbor to the frontiers of kidney research
The Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, a College of the Atlantic partner program, has helped launch thousands of scientific careers, including that of Dr. Nishad Jayasundara ’05. 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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