On Thursday, Nov. 11, high school students from all over Maine will visit Bates College for Maine Day.

This annual open house draws students and their parents from as far afield as Aroostook and York counties, typically attracting as many as 150 participants. The program includes campus tours, visits to classes, a meeting with coaches and workshops relating to the Bates application process.

“The object is to show Maine high school students what goes on at a liberal arts college on a typical day,” explains Kristen Belka, associate dean of admissions at Bates. “They can eat in the dining commons, hear about applying for financial aid, learn about writing the application essay, and seniors can book their college interview if they are applying to Bates.”

A high point is an often lively, 45-minute question-and-answer session with current Bates students. “The audience is encouraged to find out what life is like here on campus and what the academic atmosphere is,” says Belka.

Maine Day honors the relationship between Bates and its home state. “Maine students do very well at Bates,” says Belka. “Year after year, students who come from Maine show a work ethic, an attitude that if something is worth doing it is worth doing well.

“In both the academic arena and the personal, extracurricular arena, Maine students are leaders,” she says. “Bates definitely is a better place because of our location in Maine and because of the students who have grown up in Maine.”

For more information about Maine Day, please call 207-786-6000.