Summer Course Preference Selections for Incoming Students

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

Incoming First-Year Students will input their course preferences during the summer prior to their arrival on campus. This page gives an overview and timeline of the process, explains how to provide your course preferences, and provides direction if you have questions or need help.

If you are an incoming Transfer Student, the Associate Dean of Faculty will reach out to you on June 17, 2026, to discuss course planning and selection.

You may also reach out to Michael Rocque, Associate Dean of Faculty, for advising and guidance on course selection at mrocque@bates.edu.

Round 1 of 2 | Open June 17, 9:00am ET – June 26, 4:00pm ET

During this round, you will rank your preferences for First-Year Seminar Clusters, as well as indicate a minimum of six (6) choices for additional courses. Upon submission, your preliminary schedule will be crafted based on course availability and time constraints. You will have the opportunity to review your course registration and make additional selections during Round 2 (July 15-24). To review course descriptions and prerequisite requirements, please visit Course Search.

Step 1 of 2: Rank Your First-Year Seminar Preferences

You will rank your top 4 First-Year Seminar Clusters. Note that, while you are not able to request a specific seminar course, you will be able to view example courses for each cluster when selecting your preferences.

Step 2 of 2: Rank Your Additional Course Preferences

You will rank your top 6-12 course preferences. Note that some course placement may be dependent on prior coursework and/or placement testing. Please review the information about placement testing to ensure you have completed any required assessments and select courses appropriate to your background and experience.

Next Steps:

After course preference selection closes, the Registrar’s Office will use your ranked course preferences to create the first part of your fall schedule. The results of Round 1 will be released to incoming students via Garnet Gateway at Noon ET on Friday, July 10, 2026. You will then be ready to rank your remaining course preferences in Round 2, starting July 15, 2026.

Round 2 of 2 | Open July 15, 9:00am ET – July 24, 4:00pm ET

During this final round, you will have the opportunity to review your current course registration and make additional selections. Upon submission, your registration will be finalized based on course availability and time constraints. You will have the opportunity to review your final schedule prior to the start of the semester and make additional adjustments when the add/drop period opens for all students on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. To review course descriptions and prerequisite requirements, please visit Course Search.

Step 1 of 1: Rank Your Course Preferences

You will rank twelve (12) additional course preferences. Note that some course placement may be dependent on prior coursework and/or placement testing. Please review the information about placement testing to ensure you have completed any required assessments and select courses appropriate to your background and experience.

Next Steps:

After registration closes, the Registrar’s Office will use your ranked course preferences to create the remainder of your fall schedule. The results of Round 2 will be released to incoming students via Garnet Gateway at Noon ET on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Add/drop opens for all students Tuesday, September 1, at 7:00am ET. You will 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, so you will be ready to make changes, if necessary.

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. They can answer questions and guide you through the process.

Bates 101, hosted on Lyceum, Bates’ online learning platform, is also an excellent resource to check out, whether you have questions or just want more information. It covers essential information to prep you for arrival at Bates, 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.