Application Timelines
| Admission Plan | For Whom | When to Apply (postmark) | Notification from Bates | Candidate’s Reply Date |
| January Admission | If you plan to matriculate in the semester beginning in January instead of September. | by Nov. 1 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 10 |
| Early Decision (Round I) |
If you have decided that Bates is your first choice college. It is understood that if you are admitted at this time you will withdraw applications made to other colleges. | by Nov. 15 | Dec. 20 | Jan. 11 |
| Early Decision (Round II) |
If you have decided that Bates is your first choice college. It is understood that if you are admitted at this time you will withdraw applications made to other colleges. | by Jan. 1 | Feb. 15 | Feb. 22 |
| Regular Decision | If you are applying to a variety of colleges. | by Jan. 1 | Apr. 1 | May 1 |
| Transfer Admission | If you will have completed four or more transferable college-level courses before entering Bates. | by March 1/by Jan. 1 for non-U.S. citizens | no later than Jun. 1 | Jun. 15 |
| International Student Admission | If your nationality is not American and you are not a permanent resident of the United States. | by Jan. 1 | Apr. 1 | May 1 |