Application Options

Early Decision

For students who decide, “Bates is my first choice!” applying to Bates Early Decision (ED) is a great option. ED is binding, thus, if admitted, ED applicants must withdraw all applications to other colleges. Bates offers two rounds of ED applications, ED1 and ED2. Check with your college counselor to select the one that best suits your needs and school schedule.

What is the difference between ED1 and ED2?

The main difference between Early Decision 1 and Early Decision 2 is the application deadline.  The deadline for ED1 is November 15, and the deadline for ED2 is January 1. This creates two pools of Early Decision applicants, and as a result students are considered in separate rounds of competition.

What if you’re not admitted under ED?

Every year some ED applicants are denied, yet many students who are not admitted ED are deferred for consideration in the Regular Decision applicant pool.

What about financial aid?

If you are interested in receiving financial assistance from Bates, you must submit a CSS PROFILE. Please check the schedule for deadlines. If admitted to Bates, you will receive a financial aid statement along with or shortly after your letter of admission. You must indicate that you wish to apply for aid at the time of application for admission.

Regular Admission

The application deadline for Regular Admission is January 1. Bates uses the Common Application and a supplement that requires an essay and a mid-year report. We strongly encourage families seeking financial assistance to submit an application for aid as soon after the January 1 deadline as possible. The submission of standardized testing (the SAT I, SAT II and the ACT) is optional in all rounds of admission.

Transfer Applicants

Each year we welcome applications from students who wish to transfer to Bates. We appreciate your interest in Bates and would like to help you determine if we’re a better fit for you.

We consider applications from students who have attended or are attending other institutions — including international students enrolled overseas.

For the transfer applicant who hasn’t yet completed a second semester at another institution, the high school transcript remains critical; for all transfer applicants, both high school and college transcripts are considered.

January Admission

Bates College will offer January 2014 Admission

The deadline for Applying for January Admission is November 1.

Reapplying

If you have applied to Bates within the last two years, you may reactivate your original application regardless of the previous decision. We encourage you to update your application and take the opportunity to have a Bates Admission interview.

Deferred Admission

For some students, college is richer and more relevant if they take a year to pursue a nonacademic experience between high school and college in the form of a gap year. For this reason, Bates grants deferred admission by permission of the Dean to admitted students after they have deposited. An applicant should indicate in the application that he or she is a candidate for deferred admission.

Graduating from High School Early

Extremely capable students may be ready for college before completing a typical four-year, secondary school program. Bates welcomes inquiries from students who think they are scholastically prepared and sufficiently mature personally and socially to undertake college work.

Advanced Placement

Bates participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. A maximum of eight AP credits can be applied to the Bates academic record. Learn more about Bates’ AP Policy.