About the University
- The College of the Atlantic (COA) is a private liberal arts college located on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
- It was founded in 1969 and offers only one undergraduate degree program in human ecology.
- COA has a strong focus on environmentalism, sustainability, and community-building, which is reflected in its curriculum and campus culture.
- The college has a small student body, with a student-faculty ratio of about 10:1, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty.
- The campus is located on a beautiful waterfront property and boasts unique features such as an organic farm, an intertidal research center, and several art studios.
Grading and GPA System
- COA uses a narrative evaluation system instead of traditional letter grades to assess student performance.
- Faculty members write detailed narratives about each student's work in each class, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
- The narrative evaluation system promotes individualized feedback and encourages students to focus on the learning process rather than just the final grade.
- COA does not use a traditional GPA system. However, students receive a transcript with all the course titles they have taken and a summary of their evaluations.
Conclusion
College of the Atlantic offers a unique and personalized learning experience for students interested in environmentalism, sustainability, and community-building. The college's focus on narrative evaluations rather than letter grades promotes individualized feedback and encourages students to focus on the learning process. COA's small student body and close relationships between students and faculty create a supportive and engaged community. Overall, COA is an excellent choice for students looking for a one-of-a-kind liberal arts education.