Guide to Alumni Conversations

Overview of the Conversation

Alumni Conversations for the Office of Admission will be both optional (rather than strongly recommended) and informational (rather than evaluative). To reflect these changes, we have decided to rename the process Alumni Conversations.

A Bates Alumni Conversation is meant to help a student in their unique college search process. It’s their opportunity to connect one-on-one with a Bates community member, and to ask the deeper and specific questions that will help them determine if Bates is a good fit for their interests and aspirations.

We do not treat the conversation as a time to put a student on the spot with trick questions. Rather, we want our questions to help students consider what has influenced them to become the person they are, what they hope to accomplish in the future. Ultimately, we hope the conversation will be a positive experience for both you and the student.

If the conversation takes place in person, we ask that you meet in a public space, such as a coffee shop, library, etc. These conversations should not take place in your home. If the conversation takes place in a virtual venue with a camera functionality, we ask that you use a web-based service, such as Zoom and Google Meet. These conversations usually last 25-30 minutes.

The following suggested conversation outline is designed to cover a number of relevant topics with logical transition from one to the next. You will find a natural flow to your conversation.

GREET THE STUDENT

  • Introduce yourself.
  • Explain your connection to Bates – year of graduation, volunteer involvement.
  • If there is a family member present, politely make it clear that the conversation is with the student only.

CONVERSATION STARTERS – help the student overcome any pre-conversation jitters.

  • How is your day or school year going?
  • What did you do this summer?
  • Explain that the student should feel comfortable asking questions. This is their opportunity to take a deep dive into Bates!

TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT’S HIGH SCHOOL / CURRENT COLLEGE

  • Where are you going to school now? What’s it like?
  • (If a private school or college / university) – How did you choose that school?
  • What does your school do well?
  • If there were one thing you could change about your high school, what would it be?

TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT’S FAVORITE COURSES / SUBJECTS

  • Tell me about your favorite courses or subjects.
  • Are these areas you hope to pursue in college?
  • Which teachers have you connected with in high school and why? What elements make a great teacher for you? Share insight on your own experience with Bates faculty!
  • The student may have specific questions about departments and programs – feel free to speak broadly on your or your classmates’ experiences. Direct students to our website and staff for more detailed information.
  • Please do not ask students about their specific grades.

TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT’S FAVORITE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

  • What keeps you busy in addition to your classes?
  • Why is ______ your favorite activity?
  • What activities would you like to continue in college?
  • Tell me about your friends. Which of your friends do you most admire and why?
  • Share insight on your experience with Bates student culture and life.

ASK ABOUT THE FUTURE

  • How do you hope college will be different from high school?
  • In creating your college list, what are key characteristics you are seeking in an institution?
  • Given your expectations, why is Bates on your list/of interest?
  • How do you see yourself engaging with Bates?
  • What exactly do you hope to gain from your overall Bates experience?
  • What can I tell you about Bates?
  • Please do not ask the student where else they have applied.

ASK THE APPLICANT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

  • If it hasn’t come up already, are there departments, activities, resources, or opportunities the student would like to learn more about? Again, you don’t need to know the answer to everything.

WRAP-UP

  • Is there anything you would like to talk about that I neglected to ask? This gives the student an opportunity to share something of importance that has not been covered.

OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE & COMMUNICATION

  • If you wish, reiterate your name and contact information in case they have further questions.
  • Encourage the student to reach out to their regional representative if they have a question about Bates or admission that you cannot answer. Staff contact information can be found at: https://www.bates.edu/admission/admission-deans-and-counselors/
  • The student may also call the Admission Office at (207) 786-6000.

Overall, we strongly encourage that you discuss your experiences since graduating from Bates–that is what prospective students really want to hear! 

The Report

As conversations are optional and informational, there is no need to submit a traditional report. We ask that you provide your name, your year of graduation, and the date during which the conversation took place for record-keeping purposes. If you feel strongly about a prospective student, you are welcome to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the student; you can send those to aia@bates.edu.