Admission Special Events
Summer Visit Day Schedule and Details
Bates Admission is excited to welcome you to campus for our special Summer Visit Days! At each event, you and your family and/or supporters will have an opportunity to take a closer look at Bates.
If you haven’t registered, Bates is offering three Summer Visit Days in 2026 on Friday, July 10, Friday, July 24, or Friday, August 7 for you and your supporters to visit and experience our community.
On each Summer Visit Day 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 summer in Maine and finish your day with frozen treats and camaraderie with 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.
Before 9 a.m.
Parking and Directions to Registration
Parking is available at the Lane Hall parking lot. Admission staff will be available to help you find your way to registration at Olin Arts Center.
8:15-9:00 a.m.
Registration | Olin Arts Center
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.
Explore the Museum of Art | Olin Arts Center
Come check out exhibits featuring the photography of Phyllis Graber Jensen and the dance-cinema piece The Oath (2025) by Annie-B Parson and Alla Kovgan.
9:00-9:50 a.m.
Welcome to Bates & The Transformative Power of the Liberal Arts | Olin Arts Center Auditorium
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.
10:00-10:50 a.m.
Select from the following options:
Campus Tour | Olin Arts Center
Tour Bates’ scenic campus and learn firsthand about the college’s community from a current student.
Navigating Admission and Financial Aid | Commons 221/222
Explore the complexities of the highly selective admission process in this engaging conversation with our team. Curious about the nuances of application rounds, financial aid, and demonstrated interest? Then this session is for you. All questions are welcome!
Athletics and Recreation at Bates | Walkway between Garcelon Field and Commons
Interested in health and wellness? Connect with our athletic staff and check out the spaces where students work out and play, and learn more about athletics and recreational opportunities at Bates.
11:00-11:50 a.m.
Select from the following options:
Early Lunch | Dining Commons
Join us for lunch in our award-winning Dining Commons.
Research, Internships & Career Prep | Olin Arts Center Auditorium
Connect with students and staff who are spending their summer doing research or working in the community; learn from the experts at Purposeful Work about how they connect students with meaningful opportunities while aligning what they love with what they do.
12:00-12:50 p.m.
Meet the Bobcats | Olin Arts Center Auditorium
Bates is known for its welcoming spirit, and our students are known for their openness and engagement. Hear from current students about why they chose Bates and how they engage on campus and in the Lewiston community.
1:00-1:50 p.m.
Late Lunch | Dining Commons
Join us for lunch in our award-winning Dining Commons.
Campus Tour | Olin Arts Center
Tour Bates’ scenic campus and learn firsthand about the college’s community from a current student.
Navigating Admission and Financial Aid | Commons 221/222
Explore the complexities of the highly selective admission process in this engaging conversation with our team. Curious about the nuances of application rounds, financial aid, and demonstrated interest? Then this session is for you. All questions are welcome!
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Ice Cream Social & An Opportunity for Final Questions | Behind Smith Hall
Check out the Curb Cats food truck, and have a frozen treat on us! Members of the Admission team, as well as current students, will be available to answer any last-minute questions you might have before you depart campus.
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.