Welcome New Bates Students!

Congratulations New Bobcats!

The First-Year Experience Team welcomes our newest students to the Bates community! Bates College is proud to be a national leader in first-year experience programs. We serve as a key point of support throughout each student’s first year at Bates, and work closely and collaboratively with a variety of offices to provide a formative experience for our new students. First-Year Experience supports all students in their first year at Bates, including transfer students.

For New Students Arriving in Fall 2026

Welcome day for new students is Thursday, August 27, 2026. Please note this is also move-in day for most students, but if you are engaged with a pre-orientation experience, your move-in day will be earlier. Important dates and the preliminary Orientation schedule may be found here.

The Garnet Gateway will open in late May. All forms that new students need to complete before arriving on campus are contained in the Gateway. Garnet Gateway access information can be located in your secure Admission portal. You can login to Garnet Gateway here.

Please stay keep up-to-date with your personal and Bates inboxes, and follow the official Class of 2030 Instagram for more information. Note that this Instagram is private, and only members of the Class of 2030 are allowed to join.

Parents, Families, and Loved Ones: Get Involved with Your Student’s FYE Here!
Pre-Orientation Experiences

Learn more about what it means to be a Bobcat

Visit the Athletics website

Student Athletes

Introducing international students to campus and community, academics and life-at-Bates

Learn more

International Circle Orientation

Welcoming first-generation students to Bates

Learn more

Kessler Scholars & Bobcat First

What Comes Next…

Learn about Annual Entering Student Orientation Program (AESOP) trips, a fundamental part of the Bates experience

Explore here

AESOP

Find out what’s happening, when to arrive on campus, and important dates to know

Check out the preliminary schedule

Orientation Schedule

The Quad provides easy access to Lyceum, Garnet Gateway, and other Bates resources all in one place.

Log on

The Quad