College of the Atlantic

Bar Harbor, United States of America

College of the Atlantic (est. 1969) is a private liberal arts college located in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA. It is distinctive for offering a single academic major—Human Ecology, an interdisciplinary field that integrates arts, sciences, social sciences, and the environment into a cohesive curriculum .
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Frequently Asked Questions

COA is the first liberal arts college in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to Human Ecology, encouraging students to craft their own interdisciplinary major that bridges arts, sciences, and social sciences.
As a regionally accredited institution, COA provides a comprehensive cost-of-attendance breakdown, career services, academic offerings, and facilities outlined in its Student Consumer Information.
COA provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Specific information is available in the course catalog under “Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities.”
No, there is no application fee. COA accepts applications via Common App or its own form. Deadlines include Early Decision (Nov 15), Early Action (Dec 1), and Regular Decision (Feb 1).
No. The SAT or ACT is optional. COA practices holistic admission review—strong essays and recommendations are more crucial than test scores.
Yes. For example: • Children of Maine teachers may receive a $10,000/year scholarship. • Community college graduates with a GPA ≥ 3.0 may receive $15,000/year for up to two years. • Alumni of select programs (e.g., Acadia Institute of Oceanography) may receive $10,000/year.
COA maintains campus safety protocols including those related to security, FERPA-compliant record privacy, and student records. These details are outlined in its Student Consumer Information.
COA publishes a Parent & Family Handbook with details on housing policies, health services, Title IX, and emergency contacts for families and students.
Yes. COA’s International Student Services (ISS) coordinates pre-arrival support, orientation, and campus safety guidance, including airport shuttles and visa logistics.
Absolutely. COA students design a Human Ecology major tailored to their interests, drawing from multiple disciplines and culminating in a senior project and essay.
COA operates organic farms, research stations, and provides expeditionary learning grants, allowing students to engage in off-campus fieldwork and independent projects.
Typical classes are small, often with fewer than 15 students—like Ecology or Music courses—promoting discussion, fieldwork, and intimate learning.
Over 80% of students receive need-based financial aid, and nearly all receive some form of institutional grant.
Yes. Most students participate in work-study, contributing to campus operations and earning income. Eligibility depends on need and full-time registration.
Yes. Students can receive up to $1,800/year for expeditionary learning—supporting both COA-led courses and independent research.
It’s situated on a 37-acre campus in Bar Harbor, Maine, nestled between Acadia National Park and Frenchman Bay—ideal for ecological immersion.
While specifics weren’t cited, the college is known for its residential model and provides a comprehensive housing breakdown in the Parent & Family Handbook.
COA arranges shuttle services for international students from Bangor airport and bus stations to campus before orientation.
Not specified publicly. ISS provides support during enrollment; students likely must navigate work visas through federal and external immigration procedures.
ISS offers orientation support and guidance before arrival for F-1 students, but details for post-graduation visa assistance are not clearly detailed.
While not stated explicitly, students often gain internships through COA’s career services; visa-related transitions would generally require external legal processes.

University Of College of the Atlantic Application Statistics

377
35
10:1
60 %
$ 42993
$ 9747
$ 549
2.8
33
80 %
1300
28
6

University Of College of the Atlantic Application Statistics

377
35
10:1
60 %
$ 42993
$ 9747
$ 549
2.8
33
80 %
1300
28
6

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