Ask a Student

Meet Our Students

Students work in the Office of Admission in various capacities, including leading campus tours, co-hosting admission and financial aid information sessions, and more. They represent a variety of majors, activities, and hometowns. We encourage you to take a moment to peruse their profiles, and while you scroll, check out our Spotify playlists curated by Kian Moaledj ’23.

Reach out! Email our students with your questions.

Students in our Office of Admission are eager to answer your questions, so please reach out to them. Email your questions to askastudent@bates.edu. If you would like to speak with a specific student listed below, please share their name in your email with your questions.

For specific questions about the admission and financial aid process, contact your admission regional representative.

He/him

Hometown: Portland, Maine

Academics: Psychology (Major); Religious Studies (Major)

Activities: Res-life, General Writing Tutor, Course Attached Writing Tutor, Writing Committee, and Muslim Student Association

Why Bates? Growing up in Maine, I had heard much about Bates College. Its historical significance, welcoming community, and its commitment to recognizing and building on the differences between students led to my conclusion that Bates is the place for me.

Hometown: Kostanay, Kazakhstan

Academics: Psychology ; Economics; Digital & Computational Studies

Activities: International club, Jewellery Club, Student Writing and Language Center, SPARQ and Res-life

Why Bates? I chose Bates because it seemed like a good “fit” for me with a good program in Psychology, diverse international community and location. Bates seemed like a school where professors and faculty care about student’s individual success, offering enourmous amounts of support and creating a collaborative, healthy atmosphere.

She/her

Hometown: Danville, New Hampshire

Academics: Classical & Medival Studies (Major); Environmental Studies (Major); Latin (Minor)

Activities: Classics Club, Writing Course Attached Tutor, Junior Advisor, Bates Civic Action Team, Kessler Scholars Peer Mentor

Why Bates? Wherever I go on campus, I feel supported as both a person and a student! Everyone on campus — whether an academic advisor, on-campus job supervisor, or custodian — is happy to help me, offer advice, or simply chat, which makes exploring unfamiliar academic and personal pursuits stress-free and so enjoyable!

Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda

Academics: Environmental Studies (Major); Economics (Major); French (Minor)

Activities: Africana E-board member, member of the Student Government committee selection board, member of the student affairs committee, Upcoming Global Ambassador, Bates Christian Fellowship

Why Bates? I was looking for a place where learning went beyond academics—where I could grow as a whole person, stay rooted in community, and connect meaningfully with people from all walks of life. From thoughtfully designed programs to supportive financial aid and even my roommate assignment, Bates has been that intentional space for me and so much more.

He/him

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Academics: Biology (Major); English (Major)

Activities: Bates Student Newspaper; Club Soccer; Debate Team; Snaggletooth Magazine Contributor.

Why Bates? How authentic and genuine the community is. How everyone does everything in their power to make sure everyone feel like they belong.

Jiayi headshot

She/her

Hometown: Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, China

Academics: Sociology (Major); Theatre (Major)

Activities: Bates Museum of Art Intern, Robinson Player member, Annual Entering Student Orientation Program Leader

Why Bates? I love the amount of efforts Bates put into actively creating and maintaining strong communities both in and outside of campus! I genuinely enjoy and appreciate the fact that people go out of there ways to support and help bring out the best of each other: peers, faculties, staff, and local community members. I consider Bates as my second home because of the generosity, openness, genuineness, and care I receive from people across every aspects of my college experience!

She/her

Hometown: Gorham, Maine

Academics: American Studies (Major); Gender and Sexuality Studies (Major), Material Culture (GEC)

Activities: Donor Relations Intern, Snaggletooth Magazine, Students Demand Action

Why Bates? I chose Bates because I could feel the warmth and connection the moment I stepped on campus. It combines academic rigor with a deep sense of community—where the one dining hall turns strangers into friends, and the Peer Learning Center reflects how much students genuinely support one another. I knew it would be a place I’d love—and somehow, I love it more every day.

He/him

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Academics: Nueroscience(Major); Physics (Minor)

Activities: Bates College Student Government President, Biology/Neuroscience Research Assistant, South Asian Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Robinson Players

Why Bates? I was a part of Bates Beginnings and during my visit, it was ramadan and I was fasting. One of the admissions counselor stuck with me and gave me his own personal tour and tracked down other Muslim Students to break my fast with. Now having been here for almost three years now, I can attest to the statement that people at Bates whether it be the students, the staff, or the faculty genuinely care about you. They want to help you be the best you that you want to be!

He/him

Hometown: Beijing, China

Academics: Psychology; Education; Japanese

Activities: Writing & Language Tutor, Table Tennis Club Leader, Purposeful Work Intern, TA for 2025 China Short Term Course

Why Bates? I personally consider my self as an introvert so back in application season I has always kept on a look out for small liberal arts school with small student teacher ratio so that I can actually connect with my peers and professors. Secondly, an upper classman peer from my high school was a junior at Bates when its my application season after a few talk I early decisioned Bates, I have heard amazing and interesting stories from him. Third, its an very inclusive school as its the first school that admitted both women and other minority races. Also it is very international students friendly where we got wavied for the application fee and with no suppliment essays at the time, so I can really share and be who I am by sharing some thing more exciting which are my art protfolios.

She/her

Hometown: Brunswick, ME

Academics: Mathamatics; Digital & Computational Studies; Education

Activities: Swimming & Diving Team, Student Athletic Advisory Committee

Why Bates? As soon as I stepped onto the Bates campus, I felt an immediate sense of belonging. I still remember my first meal at Commons,people I had never met were waving, introducing themselves, and genuinely wanting to learn more about me. It wasn’t just polite small talk; they cared about my background, my story, and who I was. That warmth and curiosity made Bates feel like home from the very beginning.

He/him

Hometown: Sirajganj, Bangladesh

Academics: Biology Pre-Med Track (Major); Digital & Computational Studies (Minor)

Activities: Research Assistant, Dr. Martin Kruse Neuroscience Lab, Bengali Peer Tutor, SPELL Multilingual Enrichment Program, Member, Bates Muslim Student Association, Vivarium Worker, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) ,Dining Support Staff (DCCE).

Why Bates?As a biology enthusiast, I chose Bates because of its strong research labs in the Bonney Science Center and Carnegie Science Hall, excellent off-campus study opportunities and support from the Center for Global Education, personalized guidance from Purposeful Work to shape my professional career and prepare me for internships, and the college’s commitment to understanding my financial challenges and supporting me to the best of its ability

He/him

Hometown: Austin, TX

Academics: Biology (Major); Field Studies (GEC)

Activities: Outing Club, Bird Club, Earth to Bates, Orange Whip

Why Bates? I chose Bates because I was seeking a small liberal arts school environment to explore my interests and have a lot of love for Maine.