Summer Registration for Incoming Students

Welcome to Bates! We’re so excited to have you join us!

Incoming students register during the summer prior to their arrival on campus. This page gives an overview and timeline of the process, explains how to register, and provides direction if you have questions or need help.

Registration Timeline and Overview

Registration for incoming students opens in Garnet Gateway on Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00am ET and closes Thursday, July 18 at 11:59pm ET. You can check out the schedule before registration opens. This registration period is not first-come, first-served so you can enter your choices at any point before the July 18 deadline. A Summer Registration Consultant will reach out to you via email prior to July 9 to offer you help with the registration process.

When you submit your choices you’ll be asked to enter your ideal schedule along with a number of alternate selections, to be used if we’re not able to place you into a top-choice class.

After registration closes, the Registrar’s Office will use your top choices and alternates to create your fall schedule. Fall schedules will be released to incoming students via Garnet Gateway at Noon ET on Tuesday, July 30.

Add/drop opens for all students Tuesday, September 3 at 7:00am ET. You’ll have a chance to meet with your pre-major advisor when you arrive on campus to review your schedule with them before add/drop opens.

Registering for Your Fall Classes

During the registration period, you’ll enter your ideal schedule. You’ll also be asked to enter a number of alternates, which the Registrar’s Office will use to build you a complete schedule.

If you’re a First-Year student, this includes a First-Year Seminar and 3 other classes. First-Year students should plan to list at least 6 alternate FYSs and at least 12 alternate non-FYS courses.

If you’re a Transfer student, you do not need to take a First-Year Seminar and should list 4 top-choice classes. Transfer students should plan to list at least 12 alternate choices.

For all incoming students, the alternates should be distinct choices. You do not need to list multiple sections of the same class.

This video gives an overview of the registration process for incoming students.

Where to Look for More Information

A key resource for you in this process is your Summer Registration Consultant. That person will reach out to you via email before registration opens on July 9. They can answer questions and guide you through the process.

The First-Year Experience Summer Resources page in Lyceum is also an excellent resource to check out, whether you have questions or just want more information. The Summer Resources cover all sorts of information related to the Bates experience, not only registration-related info.

The Registrar’s Office is always happy to answer questions or direct you to the right place. We can be reached by email at registrar@bates.edu or by phone at 207-755-5949.