College of the Atlantic (COA)

College of the Atlantic was founded in 1969 on the premise that education should go beyond understanding the world as it is, to enabling students to actively shape its future. A leader in experiential education and environmental stewardship, COA has pioneered a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to learning: human ecology. A human ecological perspective explores the relationships between humans and our environments, and stems from the premise that our world's most pressing problems require solutions that cross the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines and seek fresh combinations of ideas. The world isn't divided by majors, and neither is College of the Atlantic. At COA, each student designs their own course of study, pursuing their unique interests and goals through a wide range of classes across the sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences. There is no set path; students develop individual curricula, moving across disciplines, delving deeply into a chosen focus, and exploring the intersections and in–between spaces where fields converge.

As a fully residential campus nestled between Acadia National Park and the Atlantic Ocean, COA fosters an immersive environment where learning extends beyond the classroom. With two offshore research islands, two organic farms, and a close–knit community of 350 students and 35 faculty, collaboration and intellectual risk–taking abound. A COA education isn't just about learning—it's about transforming thought into action to make a meaningful difference, starting now.

COA enrolls approximately 350 students, including roughly 20–23% international students, among them Davis UWC scholars. The student faculty ratio of about 10:1 ensures close mentorship and collaborative learning. The community values diversity, curiosity, and engagement.

Students participate in more than 40 organizations, including environmental advocacy, arts collectives, outdoor recreation, and service initiatives. Campus life is enriched by shared meals, local internships, and student–led events, supporting both intellectual and social growth.

While there are many different personalities at COA, "everyone holds the same inherent values of kindness, giving back through nature, curiosity, and exploration." Among this "very accepting and diverse, very LGBTQ-friendly" group, "activism and rhetoric [are] extremely well-intentioned among virtually all students, often translating to engaging conversations." On the whole, enrollees "are quite invested in change-making, both at the school and on a national and international scale." There also seems to be less of a digital focus, as students tend to "have very tangible hobbies... (for example, lots of people knit, sew, carve wood, play instruments, make art, that sort of thing." One student describes the potpourri of their peers as a "perfect...mix of art/theater kids and science kids, both extroverted and introverted, down to go hunt for worms in the forest at 2 a.m. or make elaborate costumes for a one-off play written in 12 hours." As one student sums up: "COA students come here each looking for something different...[and] weave their own tapestry of campus culture, which includes a little bit of everything and everyone."

The "campus is beautiful" and "in the fall and spring, there's constantly people hanging out outside, either playing instruments, reading, painting, playing soccer or Frisbee, or just enjoying the weather." Given the school's Maine location, many students also enjoy "the Outing Club (adventures like hiking, stargazing, boogie boarding, and polar plunging)" or activities in nearby Acadia National Park, which "provides endless exploration for both the Outing Club and individuals." You can find people participating "in just about every hobby under the sun. From tincture making to taxidermy, there is a place for all crafts and activities here." There are also plenty of "student activist clubs and college-sponsored outdoor recreation," as well as regularly scheduled activities like "Fireside Friday (crafting club held weekly), Mending Matters (clothing and gear repair club), and COAmmunity Dinner (weekly community dinner club)." The school's small size "means that academic and social life often blend together, with discussions continuing over meals in Take-ABreak [dining hall] or spontaneous gatherings in the library or on the pier." For the students wanting to "make change on campus and in local communities," there is the weekly All College Meeting, in which faculty, staff, and students come together to discuss and vote on large-scale decisions, policies, and community issues, fitting for a population that's "highly committed to curiosity and bettering the planet."

COA has “strong connections to the surrounding community, [which is] extremely beneficial to our student body.” Faculty advisors start helping students shape their curriculum from the start and offer professional advice and connections. Career Services provides further guidance, development activities, labor market information, and access to the alumni mentorship program. The mandatory internship guarantees that students have experience under their belts by graduation (with typical completion during the summer, though opportunities are also available throughout the year), and the senior capstone project is also a nice addition to any portfolio or résumé. Within one year of graduation, 97 percent of students have gone on to graduate school or have secured a job, with more than half studying at the master’s or doctorate level.