Admission Special Events

Fall Open House Schedule and Details

Bates Admission is excited to welcome you to campus for our Fall Open House! At this event, you and your family and/or supporters will have an opportunity to take a closer look at Bates.

Check back on August 15th when registration goes live!

During Fall Open House you’ll find opportunities to…

  • take a tour with one of our informative student tour guides,
  • have a great lunch (and desserts) in our award-winning Dining Commons,
  • hear from current students and faculty about their experiences both inside and outside the classroom at Bates, and
  • enjoy Fall in Maine and finish your day stunning foliage and a view of Lake Andrews (known affectionately as The Puddle).

The preliminary event schedule is listed below. The Admission team will continue to update this page with new information as we get closer to each event.

If you’re traveling to Bates, you will find transportation information and directions below.

Parking and Directions to Registration 

Parking is available at the Merrill parking lot. Admission staff will be available to help you find your way to registration at Chase Hall.

Registration | Chase Hall

Welcome to Bates! Caffeinate and have a bite to eat with us before the program begins. Admission staff and student interns will be available to greet you.

Early Bird Campus Tour | Chase Hall

Tour Bates’ scenic campus and learn firsthand about the college’s community from a current student. The tour will depart from Olin Arts Center.

Select from the following options:

Ask the Experts: Conversation with Admission & Financial Aid Professionals | Commons 221/222

We are so glad to have you on campus! Let us showcase the unique experiences at Bates — including academics, advising, mentorship, and the distinctive ways we educate the whole person. Bring your questions and curiosity. 

It Takes a Village: Student Support Services Fair | Chase Lounge

Connect with the many resources available to you in Chase Hall… it’s our Swiss Army Knife building!

President’s Keynote and Student Panel | Memorial Commons

Bates’ 9th president Garry Jenkins will share his take on what’s at the heart of a Bates education. Then hear from current students about how their experiences reflect that sentiment.

Select from the following options:

Early Lunch | Dining Commons

Join us for lunch in our award-winning Dining Commons.

Campus Tour | Chase Hall

Tour Bates’ scenic campus and learn firsthand about the college’s community from a current student. The tour will depart from Olin Arts Center.

Rigor, Innovation and Mentored Research: a Faculty Panel | Olin Arts Center Auditorium

Faculty are at the center of the Bates experience. Learn from a panel of professors from across the academic spectrum how they help facilitate growth over the 4-year arc of a Bates education.

Select from the following options:

Living at Bates: a Residence Hall Drop-in | Chu Hall | Rand Hall | Frye House

Go check out what some of your living options could look like. Common spaces in Chu Hall, Rand Hall, and Frye Street Union are ready for you.

Learning at Bates: Library Drop-In | Ladd Library

Poke around our library and find your perfect study nook, then connect with staff from the Peer Learning Commons, Accessible Education, and our Research Librarians to learn more about library resources.

Playing at Bates: Recreation and Athletic Center Drop-In | TBD

Check out Bates’ recreational opportunities, from club sports to equipment rental, Bates students stay active year round.

Sample Academic Classes | TBD

A liberal arts education prepares you for a globalized world, but what does a class
actually feel like? Experience academics at Bates by choosing one of several different Academic Sessions designed and delivered by Bates faculty.

Academic Sessions are available to prospective students only.

Who’s looking out for my kid? Parents’ Panel | Olin Arts Center Auditorium

Parents, attend this panel to learn more about the resources, faculty, and staff that support students outside the classroom.

Select from the following options:

Late Lunch | Dining Commons

Join us for lunch in our award-winning Dining Commons.

Campus Tour | Chase Hall

Tour Bates’ scenic campus and learn firsthand about the college’s community from a current student. The tour will depart from Olin Arts Center.

Ask the Experts: Conversation with Admission & Financial Aid Professionals | Commons 226

We are so glad to have you on campus! Let us showcase the unique experiences at Bates — including academics, advising, mentorship, and the distinctive ways we educate the whole person. Bring your questions and curiosity. 

Engaging outside the Bates Classroom: Broadening Perspectives while Growing Skills | Commons 221/222

At Bates, scholarship walks hand-in-hand with experience. Learn how Bates helps students gain valuable know-how both steps away from campus and a half a world away.

Holding the Door: Making Space for Last Questions | Commons Fireplace Lounge

A last chance for Admission and Student Financial Services to connect, answer any last questions, and wish you well on your journeys home.

We want to ensure that experiences with Bates are inclusive for all. If you anticipate a barrier or need to request an accommodation, please contact the Office of Admission at (207) 786-6000 or admission@bates.edu. To allow for appropriate arrangements, please contact us at least one week prior to your scheduled event, when possible.

Visiting Bates