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
Arrival day for most new students is Thursday, August 27, 2026. If you are engaged with a pre-orientation experience (i.e. in-season fall athletes, Kessler Scholars, Bobcat First students, and international students), your move-in day will be earlier. Consult with your program or coach for your specific arrival day. Important dates and the preliminary Orientation schedule may be found here.
The Garnet Gateway will open in May. Garnet Gateway access information can be located in your secure Admission portal starting on May 19. You can login to Garnet Gateway here. Mandatory new student forms will become available on Garnet Gateway on June 9.
Please stay keep up-to-date with your personal and Bates inboxes, and follow the official class Instagram groups for more information. Note that these groups are private to Bates students.
To join, visit the @bates2030_official, (and for new transfer students) @bates2029_official, or @bates2028_official account for your applicable Bates graduation year and DM the admins with your name and the email address you used to apply to Bates (for confirmation purposes). If you don’t see a “send message” button, tap the three little dots in the upper right hand corner of the account page and select “Send message” from the menu. If you still have issues, you can DM the @batescollege account with your info. Note: All admitted transfers are welcome to join the @bates2030_official account to meet other students recently admitted to Bates.
Pre-Orientation Experiences
Learn more about your first days as a Bobcat
Learn moreStudent Athletes
Introducing international students to campus and community, academics and life-at-Bates
Learn moreInternational Circle Orientation
Introducing international students to campus and community, academics and life-at-Bates
Learn moreInternational Circle Orientation
Welcoming first-generation students to Bates
Learn moreKessler Scholars & Bobcat First
What Comes Next…
Learn about Annual Entering Student Orientation Program (AESOP) trips, a fundamental part of the Bates experience
Learn moreAESOP
Learn about Annual Entering Student Orientation Program (AESOP) trips, a fundamental part of the Bates experience
Learn moreAESOP
Find out what’s happening, when to arrive on campus, and important dates to know
Check it outOrientation Schedule
Find out what’s happening, when to arrive on campus, and important dates to know
Check it outOrientation Schedule
The Quad provides easy access to Lyceum, Garnet Gateway, and other Bates resources all in one place
Your hub for resourcesThe Quad
The Quad provides easy access to Lyceum, Garnet Gateway, and other Bates resources all in one place
Your hub for resourcesThe Quad
Prepping for Fall
Learn more about the residential community at Bates
Check out student residencesFirst-Year Housing
Fall course registration starts in June
Check out recommended entry coursesAcademics
Student clubs and organizations are excited to welcome you
Start to think about which groups to join hereCo-Curricular Life
Student clubs and organizations are excited to welcome you
Start to think about which groups to join here