The admission requirements and procedures are designed to help the College select, from among the students applying, those best qualified to benefit from the educational opportunities at Bates. As the emphasis at Bates is on the liberal arts and sciences, the secondary school record should demonstrate success in these fields. Applicants must present evidence of intellectual curiosity, good character, and thorough scholastic preparation. The College values and seeks a bold, and principled student body that embraces academic rigor, innovative thought, and community engagement. Each applicant is considered individually, and the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid may make exceptions to any requirement.

Admission Requirements

Application Form

Bates uses the Coalition Application, the Common Application, and the Questbridge Application. In addition to biographical data, the application requests information concerning the applicant's academic and extracurricular interests, and includes a required personal statement providing an opportunity for the applicant to write on suggested topics.

Record in Secondary School

The secondary school record should consist of courses of a substantial college-preparatory nature. Individual cases may vary, but it is recommended that students have taken four years of English, mathematics, laboratory science, social science, and a foreign language. The College requires successful completion of high school, GED program, or equivalent for enrollment to Bates.

Recommendations

The College receives recommendations from school officials and references named by the applicant. It should be understood that when a student waives the right to inspect that information, it is kept in strict confidence and is available only to appropriate College officers.

Standardized Test Scores

The submission of standardized testing (the SAT, the ACT, and Advanced Placement tests) is optional for admission. Independent of the admission process and solely for the purpose of the College's research, students who have taken the standardized tests must submit the results of these tests upon matriculation.

Admission Procedures

To be considered for enrollment in fall 2026, a student must submit an admission application no later than January 10, 2026. A nonrefundable fee of $65 must accompany the application. Students for whom the fee would be a financial hardship may request a fee waiver.

The Office of Admission reaches its decision only after it has received the completed application form, essay, and all the data supporting an application (the transcript of the secondary school record and letters of recommendation).

As a general rule, applicants are notified of decisions in late March. Admitted students are asked to respond with a nonrefundable $300 enrollment deposit payment, postmarked by the candidate's reply date of May 1. International students may make this deposit upon arrival on campus but must accept the offer of admission by May 1. Upon matriculation this payment is applied to the student's account and is held until graduation. Students usually enter the College at the beginning of the academic year in September.

Early Decision

Candidates who are certain that Bates is their first choice should give serious thought to the binding Early Decision (ED) plan. Applicants for ED must complete the ED agreement on the application and assure the College that they will enroll if admitted. Regular Decision applications may be submitted to other colleges with the understanding that the candidate will withdraw these applications if admitted to Bates through ED. More information is available on the Admission website.

Deferred Enrollment

Each year, Bates receives requests from admitted students to defer matriculation for a specified period of time. The reasons for these requests vary greatly, but typically contribute to the student's development, and are generally approved.

Applicants requesting deferred enrollment should do so in writing to the Office of Admission at the same time that they accept Bates' offer of admission, no later than June 1. Requests made after that date are considered on a case-by-case basis, but may not be as readily approved. Requests should be as detailed as possible with regard to the nature, timing, and importance of the intervening experiences.

Early High School Graduate Admission

Extremely capable students may be ready for college before they have completed the normal four-year secondary school program. The College welcomes inquiries from those who think they are prepared scholastically, and are sufficiently mature personally and socially, to undertake college work.

International Students

The College encourages international candidates with superior academic and personal qualifications to apply for admission to Bates. Non-U.S. citizens must submit the following:

• An application form;
• Official or certified copies of secondary school transcripts;
• A school profile and/or explanation of the school's marking system if available;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Certificates of completion and national examinations (if applicable).

All documents must be presented in English; original documents must accompany all certified translations. Applicants living abroad are advised to retain copies of their applications and to submit applications well in advance of the deadlines.

If English is neither the native language nor the primary language of secondary school instruction for four years, then results of an English-proficiency test are required. Bates accepts the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test. Submission of SAT or ACT results is optional for all students.

Bates meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of citizenship status, for all four years. Although Bates is not need-blind for non-U.S. citizens, the College offers one of the most generous and inclusive financial aid programs in the United States.

The intent to apply for need-based financial aid for the first year must be indicated prior to the release of the applicant's admission decision from Bates. Requests for need-based financial aid after admission notifications are not considered. Required financial aid application documents are due at the time of application for admission.

Advanced Standing for Entering First-Year Students

Most Bates courses carry 1.0 course credit. Exceptions include Short Term courses, which carry 0.5 credits, and select courses offered in the fall and winter semesters for 0.5 or 0.25 credits. Students who enter as first-year students must earn at least 28.0 Bates credits in order to be awarded a Bates degree. With a total of 32.0 course credits required for the degree, up to 4.0 non-Bates credits may be applied toward the total. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A-Level Examination, and transfer credits are all considered non-Bates credits and may not exceed 4.0 credits in total.

Advanced Placement

Bates participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit is awarded only upon receipt of official scores from The College Board. Credit equivalencies can be viewed here.

International Baccalaureate

Credit is awarded only upon receipt of the official International Baccalaureate (IB) transcript with the examination scores. The IB subjects must be equivalent to subjects taught at Bates, with "English" accepted only if the focus was on literature rather than language instruction. Credit equivalences can be viewed here.

A-Level Examination

Credit is awarded for successful scores on A-Level (Advanced Level) examinations only, and not for O-Level (Ordinary Level) or AS (Advanced Subsidiary) examinations. Credit is awarded upon receipt of the official copy of examination grades presented on the General Certificate of Education. No credit may be granted for English-language examinations or the general paper. Credit equivalencies can be viewed here.

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and A-Level Credit and General Education

AP, IB, or A-Level credit awarded as equivalent to a specific Bates course may be used to fulfill the same General Education requirements that the equivalent Bates course fulfills, exclusive of writing requirements.

Other Advanced Standing Programs

Not all students have access to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level examinations, but it is not possible to fairly evaluate all of the many other advanced standing programs currently available. Credit is awarded therefore only to successful scores on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and A-Level examinations. Coursework undertaken in other advanced standing programs, however, may allow placement into higher-level Bates courses and students should consult with the appropriate department or program to discuss their background.

Advanced Standing for Transfer Students

The College welcomes applications from students who wish to transfer to Bates from other institutions. Bates transfers courses completed at accredited colleges and universities under guidelines established by the faculty. The College's transfer credit policy is described in the Non-Bates Credit section of the Academic Policies.

A transfer student must attend Bates for a minimum of four semesters and earn a minimum of 16.0 Bates course credits, including 1.0 credit earned from two half-credit Short Term courses, to earn a Bates degree. While students may have earned more than the allowable number of transferable credits at their previous institution, they must choose which they wish to apply to their Bates record at the time of transfer. Students may not transfer in courses taken elsewhere to count as Short Term courses.

The following credentials are due in the Office of Admission by March 1 for fall semester or November 1 for winter semester consideration: the application and fee; official secondary school and college transcripts; a college catalog describing courses completed and those in progress; a statement of good standing from a college official; two letters of recommendation (one from college professors, one from a college advisor/counselor or high school guidance counselor); and an essay concerning the applicant's motivation to transfer. Submission of standardized testing results is optional.

When a transfer student is admitted, the student's transcript is reviewed for transferable credits and allowable General Education credits.

Visiting Students

Bates welcomes applications from students attending other colleges who wish to enroll for a limited time as non-degree visiting students. Enrollment on a visiting basis can be for one semester or a year. While enrolled, visiting students pay the same tuition, room, and board fees and have the same privileges and obligations as regular degree candidates. They are not, however, eligible to receive financial aid or to play an NCAA-sanctioned varsity sport. At the end of the term of study, visiting students may request transcripts of their Bates coursework.

To apply, the student should file the transfer application for admission, indicating "visiting student" status, and submit the following credentials:

• An official college transcript;
• Two letters of recommendation from college faculty;
• A letter of recommendation from a dean or advisor;
• A statement of good standing from a college official;
• An essay explaining the student's interest in Bates and in becoming a visiting student.

High School Scholars

Under the High School Scholars Program, arranged with support from local high schools, a limited number of qualified high school seniors may enroll in a Bates course each semester free of charge. High School Scholars may not enroll in a Short Term course. Students must apply and be selected for the program by the Office of Admission. At the end of the term of study, students may request transcripts of their Bates coursework. Each student is limited to one course per semester for a total of two courses under this program. At the end of the term of study, students may request transcripts of their Bates coursework.

High School Scholars who later wish to matriculate must meet admission requirements and are subject to decisions made by the Office of Admission, Student Financial Services, and the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems concerning the credits toward a degree, which may include consideration of courses completed as a High School Scholar.

Community Scholars

Under the Community Scholars program, non-degree-seeking students may enroll in up to two courses each semester. The fee per course for 2025-2026 is $2,340. No financial aid is available for Community Scholars and they are responsible for any additional fees associated with a course. Community Scholars may not enroll in a Short Term course. Each student is limited to a maximum of four courses at Bates. Entry into courses depends on the space available. Interested applicants should submit a Community Scholars Application to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems with a $25 application fee one month prior to the beginning of the semester. Following successful completion of a course, students may request transcripts of their Bates coursework.

College employees, spouses or domestic partners, and dependents seeking Community Scholar status should refer to the Bates Employee Handbook for more information about the Community Scholar Program for employees. 

Community Scholars who later wish to matriculate must meet admission requirements and are subject to decisions made by the Office of Admission, Student Financial Services, and the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems concerning the credits toward a degree, which may include consideration of courses completed as a Community Scholar.

Auditing Students

Bates College allows for community members and/or matriculated students to audit a course offered in the fall or winter semesters. Auditing students may not enroll in Short Term courses. When a student audits a course, no credit is earned and the audit is not recorded on a permanent record or transcript. An auditor should not expect to have papers and exams graded; therefore, auditing is seldom permitted in courses where the method of instruction involves significant individual attention and guidance or extensive use of equipment. An audited course may not be converted at a later date to a course taken for credit. Entry into a course depends on the space available.

Community members who wish to audit a course must submit an application to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Systems who, in consultation with the course instructor, will approve the application based on whether the course is appropriate for auditing; the number of received applications to audit the course; or any additional element that may affect the considerations to audit a course. The fee for non-matriculated students to audit a course in 2025-2026 is $880.

College employees, spouses or domestic partners, and dependents seeking to audit a course may apply with permission from the Office of Human Resources. 

Matriculated students may audit a course with the prior permission of the course instructor. When a student audits a course, no credit is earned and the audit is not recorded on a permanent record or transcript. An audited course may not be converted at a later date to a course taken for credit. There is no charge for currently enrolled students to audit a course.

Student Retention and Graduation

The federal Student Right to Know Act requires institutions of higher education to make available six-year graduation rates. The most accurate information related to Bates’ retention rates over several years may be found on the College's institutional research dashboard.