The Fall Open House is for high school juniors and seniors, prospective transfer students, and their families to learn more about COA.

Our registration form can accommodate parties of up to 5 people, including the prospective student. If you are coming with a larger party please reach out to us at inquiry@coa.edu. If there is more than one prospective student in your party, please have each student register separately.

In the confirmation email you receive after you initially register, there is a link to edit your registration—if you are having any trouble accessing the link or making changes you can contact us for support.

COA is located at 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. We’re a short walk from downtown Bar Harbor and easily accessible by car. Car rentals are available from Bangor and Bar Harbor airports. There is also a Downeast Transportation bus that travels between Bar Harbor and Bangor Monday through Friday.

The nearest airport is the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, however you can only fly into it commercially from Boston Logan International Airport. The next closest option is Bangor International Airport.

There will be free parking available on campus for the event. Please come in through the main entrance and we will direct you from there.

There are plenty of wonderful places to stay in Bar Harbor, and many hotels and inns are located within a mile of campus, some just a three-minute walk away! Atlantic Oceanside is right next door to our campus and offers discounts for COA visitors year round if you call to book.

There are also many campgrounds in the area, including in Acadia National Park. Reservations for campgrounds have to be made in advance, for more information on camping in Acadia visit the ANP Campgrounds web page. 

All you need to bring for the Fall Open House is yourself and your curiosity! The day will begin with a walking tour of campus, which lasts approximately an hour, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Yes! We do our best to accommodate different dietary needs. You can indicate on the registration form whether you are an omnivore, vegan, or vegetarian, or if you have any additional food allergies.

We are committed to making campus navigable and welcoming for all visitors. All major buildings are wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking is available at key locations throughout campus. Not all planned events may be accessible, such as the boat trip on Frenchman Bay, but if you need specific accommodations we encourage you to reach out to us.

Pets are welcome on the COA campus! Pet owners are expected to consider safety, health, and the possible fears others may have in the presence of animals.

Dogs must be on leashes (no longer than 6ft) at all times when on the grounds of the campus. Keep in mind that there are several indoor facilities where pets are not permitted: Take-A-Break dining hall, Sea Urchin Café, Gates Auditorium, classrooms, labs, and studios. For more details, you can read our complete pet policy.

Yes! We welcome all members of your group to sit in on classes during the Open House.

Part of Acadia is right across the street from our campus! The Duck Brook Trail is an easy walk from COA and has a lovely bridge and small waterfall. The rest of the park extends across Mount Desert Island and can be accessed by car or bike.

All visitors to Acadia must have a park pass. You can purchase a pass online or at various entrance stations and welcome centers (for more details about obtaining a pass visit the Acadia National Park fees and passes web page). If you are hoping to go to the Cadillac Mountain Summit by vehicle, you will also need to book a Cadillac Summit Road reservation online. For more information about planning your visit to Acadia, we recommend checking out the Acadia National Park website.

Bar Harbor has a wide array of local restaurants and cafes! You can check out the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce website for a directory of local businesses and restaurants.

You can buy COA merchandise in-person in the Admission Office located in Kaelber Hall from 9am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri or order from our online store anytime! When you are here for the Open House, you will receive a 15% discount for in-store purchases.

If you have any questions or concerns you can reach out to us at inquiry@coa.edu or call us at 800-528-0025.