COA is a small college deeply committed to interdisciplinary study and preparing students to make a difference in the world. Founded - 1969, as an alternative to a traditional liberal arts college. Character - Private; close-knit educational community; coed; non-sectarian; liberal arts Degrees Offered - Bachelor of Arts, Master of Philosophy, both in Human Ecology Academics - Unique interdisciplinary learning. No departments. All students design their own majors. Three main resource areas: Arts and Design, Environmental Sciences, and Human Studies. Learning Approach - Small classes (average size is 12 students) emphasize engaged, interdisciplinary learning. Many classes are project-based, hands-on and are taught in a seminar format. 63% of our graduating class in 2007 studied abroad as part of their academic program. Academic Partnerships - Eco League, the University of Maine, Olin College of Engineering, SALT Institute for Documentary Studies, National Outdoor Leadership School, The Landing School of Boat Design, and Sea Education Association Campus - 35 acres on the rocky coast of Mount Desert Island, Maine in the seaside town of Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park is minutes away. Additional Facilities - Beech Hill Organic Farm and Forest (81 acres), Mount Desert Rock and Great Duck Island offshore research stations, Dorr Museum of Natural History. National Rankings - Named one of the best education values in the country in Princeton Reviews 2008 survey and one of 11 colleges on its Green Honor Roll. Only 3% of our classes have more than 20 students, the third smallest percentage in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. COA also has the fourth largest percentage of international students - 16% - among all colleges in the United States. Accreditation - Fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Student Body

Enrollment (FA-08) - 318 undergraduates students; 3 graduate students Student : Faculty Ratio - 11:1 Average Class Size - 12 students Geographic Distribution - 49 states and 32 foreign countries Middle Atlantic: 15% New England: 43% West 4% South 6% Midwest 11% Southwest 2% Mountain 2% International 13% Graduates - 55% of COA's graduates attend graduate school within five years of completing a COA degree. 20% of COA graduates become scientists, 12% go into social service of government work, 23% are involved in education, 17% pursue careers in art and design, and 13% go into business. Fellowships and Prizes - COA students and alumni have received the following national awards: Watson Fellowship, Morris K. Udall Scholarship, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, Kathryn W. Davis Projects for Peace, George C. Marshall Fellowship, Gilman Fellowship, and NASA Space Grant.

Faculty

COA's faculty includes Fulbright Scholars, Peace Corps veterans, published authors, and active artists. 30% of the faculty are conversant in at least one language in addition to English. Full-time Faculty - 26 Part-time Faculty - 15 Full-time Faculty with Ph.D. or Terminal Degrees - 85%

Library Resources

Thorndike Library's collection includes over 36,000 books, 475 periodical subscriptions and newspaper subscriptions, foreign language tapes and recorded music.

College Finances
(for the year ending June 30, 2007)

Operating Revenue - $12,700,000 Sources of Revenue - 77% student fees, 9% endowment, 14% other Market Value of Endowment - $20,000,000

Admissions
(for Fall 2007)

Applications - 401 Admitted - 274 Deposited - 103 Average SAT (please note that COA does not require that students submit standardized test scores; only 53% of the class entering in Fall 2007 submitted SAT scores) - Verbal 647 Math 589 Writing 631 High School Rankings - Top 10% : 36% Top 20% : 50% Top 50% : 90%

Financial Aid

Tuition, Room and Board (2007-2008) - $38,160 Percentage of Students Receiving Aid from the College - 69% Average Aid Award - $18,000 Average Institutional Aid Award - $15,000

Sustainabilty

Taking a Stand - COA was the first college in the country to pledge to reduce to zero the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that emits. Examples of our other sustainable practices include: Food - Fruits and Vegetables: College of the Atlantic's Beech Hill Farm provides organic greens as well as potatoes, carrots, onions and apples. Students can help raise the food they eat. Other food items come from Maine co-ops and other organic and local sources. Meats: 90% free-range, locally raised whenever possible. Coffee: organic and fair trade only. Office Supplies - Our environmentally and socially responsible purchasing policies include: Paper: 100% chlorine and dioxin free with 60% post-consumer waste, for publications, photocopies and printing. Printer Ink Cartridge Recycling on campus; with training given to local schools to recycle as wellOffice Supplies: purchased through a source focused on recycling & offering products with environmental certifications Cleaning Chemicals - Using biodegradable materials for years; since 2004 using a 100% hydrogen peroxide cleaner. Wood Procurement - Seeking products made from wood grown in sustainably-managed forests; no use of materials that off-gas chemicals or are cut from old-growth forests. Energy - College of the Atlantic is now entirely powered by low-flow renewable hydropower. Whether through credits or actual purchases, COA has been powered by renewable electricity since 2004, when for three years it purchased Renewable Energy Certificates, also known as "green tags," from an existing out-of-state wind power source.