Ask a Student

Meet this year’s cohort of Senior Fellows, students who work in the Office of Admission throughout the school year and provide on campus interviews, co-host admission and financial aid information sessions, and support the office in all of its initiatives. They’re eager to meet you and answer your questions, so please do not hesitate to reach out to them if you have a question about life at Bates! To get in touch, feel welcome to email them individually or reach out to askastudent@bates.edu.

Graham Bonnell High School/Hometown: Fairchild Wheeler; Fairfield, CT Majors/Minors/GECs: Politics (Major); Physics & Mathematics (Double Minor) Activities/Involvement: Varsity Squash, Film Board Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates due to the emancipating potential of supporting all students, social and cultural perspectives, and individual abilities. In addition, Bates is home to one of the most competitive college squash programs in the United States.	Katherine Cabral High School/Hometown: Chelsea High School; Chelsea, MA Majors/Minors/GECs: Politics (Major); Spanish (Minor); Social Justice (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Women of Color, Black Student Union, IT Help Desk Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates for its tight-knit community and dedication to diversity and inclusion!
Maddy Clark High School/Hometown: Georgetown Day School; Washington, D.C. Majors/Minors/GECs: English (Creative Writing) & Sociology (Double Major); Law and Society (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Crosstones a capella, Immigrant Resources Center of Maine English Teacher, Big Brother Big Sister, College Guild Why did you choose Bates?: Bates checked every single one of my boxes, but further provided a breadth of opportunities for holisticgrowth as a student, researcher, artist, and person. Though you hear it so often it begins to sound like a platitude, what sealed the deal for me was the Bates community. Bates is characterized by collaboration, kindness, and inclusivity.	Grace Ellrodt High School/Hometown: Lenox Memorial High School; Lenox, MA Majors/Minors/GECs: Environmental Studies (Major); Philosophy (Minor); Class, Inequity, and Justice (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Peer Writing Tutor, Running Club Member Why did you choose Bates?: I sought a college experience that would make me a more balanced, insightful, and confidence person. Through offerings of Community Engaged courses and research in Environmental Studies, and more, I’ve cultivate these qualities, and become someone who gets out and does work on the ground.
Gabrielle Eustache Hometown: New York, NY Majors/Minors/GECs: Neuroscience (Major); Chemistry (Minor); The Human Body (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Varsity Volleyball, Women of Color, Caribbean Student Association Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates because I immediately connected to the caring, open community when I visited campus. I felt very comfortable and at home, especially when interacting with students.	Jonathan Farrell High School/Hometown: Xavier High School; Middletown, CT Majors/Minors/GECs: English, Creative Writing concentration (Major); Religion (Minor); Environment, Place, and History (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Club Ultimate Frisbee, Dinner Table club, Harward Center volunteer Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates for the feeling of belonging and assurance I felt on campus. I knew that I would be able to explore different areas of study as well as myself, all while feeling accepted by others around me who were doing the same exact thing.
Areohn Harrison High School/Hometown: St. Alban’s School; Rockville, MD Majors/Minors/GECs: Politics & Sociology (Double Major) Activities/Involvement: Black Student Union, Security Advisory Council, Community Engagement Why did you choose Bates?: I visited campus through Prologue (Bates’s fly-in program for underrepresented students). I got to join some awesome classes and meet some great people who are now my closest friends!	Adam Hirsch High School/Hometown: Fieldston School; New York, NY Majors/Minors/GECs: Sociology (Major); Religious Studies (Minor); Material Culture (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Rugby Club, Bates Democrats Why did you choose Bates?: Coming from New York City, I knew that I wanted to be close to the outdoors. I was drawn to Bates by the overwhelming sense of community and inclusivity on campus. Bates allowed me to pursue my academic interests, while pushing me to explore new passions as well.
Brook Jandreau School/Hometown: Community High School; Fort Kent, ME Majors/Minors/GECs: Sociology (Major); Religious Studies & 2D/3D Design (Double GEC) Activities/Involvement: Residence Coordinator, Student Affairs Committee, Harward Center Community Outreach Fellow, theater and dance costume design, Bates EMS Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates for the supportive and tight-knit community of students, faculty, and staff. Everyone was genuine and eager to share their personal Bates stories and to engage on a deeper level with their peers. The pride and passion Batesies exhibit is palpable on campus.	Annie Lindholm High School/Hometown: Middlebury Union High School; Middlebury, VT Majors/Minors/GECs: Biochemistry (Major); French & Francophone Studies (Minor); Applying Mathematical Methods (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Bates Sailing, WRBC (radio), Bates EMS Why did you choose Bates?: I grew up coming to Lewiston to visit family and through that formed a deep connection and appreciation for this community. Bates has given me the opportunity to push myself academically, socially, and physically in a welcoming and supportive environment. I’m so grateful for my time here.
Jason Lu High School/Hometown: Westborough High School; Westborough, MA Majors/Minors/GECs: Economics & Mathematics (Double Major) Activities/Involvement: Manic Optimists a capella, Club Squash, Math and Statistics tutor, AESOP group leader Why did you choose Bates?: The lack of expectations to fit within a certain mold is what drew me to Bates. Bates seems to operate on a perfect duality: a rigorous liberal arts education and a collaborative atmosphere. Not only have I gotten the opportunity to forge my own path, but I met so many uniquely interesting and intrinsically kind people along the way.	Senyo Ohene High School/Hometown: SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College; Accra, Ghana Majors/Minors/GECs: Mathematics (Major); Music (Minor); Public Health in Latin America (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Bates Christian Fellowship, Gospelaires a capella, Club Soccer, Club Volleyball, Spikeball Club, College Choir Why did you choose Bates?: I wanted an environment full of people who were excited to get to know each other and to try new things. Bates provided this for me, and I knew that I would go through my college career in an incredibly welcoming community.
Alexandria Onuoha High School/Hometown: Prospect Hill Academy Charter School; Boston, MA Majors/Minors/GECs: Psychology & Dance (Double Major); The Human Body (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Women of Color (co- president), Black Student Union, Purposeful Work Fellow, Academic Resource Commons Student Manager, Bates Dance, Gospelaires a capella Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates for the rigorous academics and the amazing faculty and students I met when I visited campus. The community displayed a genuine sense of togetherness and authenticity. Most importantly, Bates is an institution that is open to having difficult conversations about controversial issues in order to create change.	Lydia Sullivan High School/Hometown: Yarmouth High School; Yarmouth, ME Majors/Minors/GECs: Rhetoric & Religious Studies (Double Major); Film and Media Studies (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Student Government, Security Advisory Council, Yoga, Community Engagement Why did you choose Bates?: I was drawn to the inclusivity of Bates as exemplified through the history, one dining hall, access to clubs/ organizations, and small classes. Furthermore, as a native Mainer, I wanted to stay for four more years of college to explore all that this beautiful state has to offer. Finally, I was intrigued by the 4-4-1 academic plan and the uniqueness of Short Term (now my favorite time of the year)!
Cherrysse Ulsa High School/Hometown: W.R. Farrington High School; Honolulu, HI Majors/Minors/GECs: Neuroscience (Major); Education (Minor); Public Health (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Bonner Leader Program, Peer Writing Tutor and Writing Fellow, Hookipa Hawaii Club, Lewiston Public School Classroom Assistant Why did you choose Bates?: I chose Bates for its friendly and welcoming community. I wanted to attend an institution that would challenge me academically and foster personal growth.	Erni Whitaker High School/Hometown: San Luis Obispo High School; San Luis Obispo, CA Majors/Minors/GECs: Philosophy & Chemistry (Double Major); Law and Society (GEC) Activities/Involvement: AESOP Coordinator, Peer Writing and Public Speaking Tutor, College Guild, Hospice, YWCA Central Maine, tutoring Why did you choose Bates?: When I got on campus as a high school senior, I felt an amazing sense of community. I also wanted to be able to develop my varied academic interests, and knew I would be able to do that at Bates.
Philip Wu Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan Majors/Minors/GECs: Visual Art and Culture: Studio Art (Major); Anthropology (Minor); The Human Body (GEC) Activities/Involvement: Bates Arts Collaborative, Public Arts Committee, Student Programming Fellow, Badminton Club Why did you choose Bates?: The feeling of inclusion and the strong sense of community links has led me to vision Bates as an extension of my family.