Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Bates admits about 1 in 7 applicants (15%). That puts it in the "Highly selective" tier, more selective than 96% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (12% and 14%).
$60 to apply
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Maine applicants were admitted at 27%, applicants from other states at 28%, and international applicants at 3.2%.
All applicants in the same class: 15%
Of those admitted, 49% from Maine enrolled, against 34% from other states and 27% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
34% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 2,103 offered a place, 795 accepted, 39 admitted (4.9% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 34% admitted
318 of 949 early applicants; 15% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 20
Second round: apply by Jan 10; decisions by Feb 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Bates reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 12% of first-years sent an SAT and 4% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Recommends 4 years of foreign language and math (2 and 3 required). See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Important | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Important | ||||
| State residency | Important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
21% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 15% of first-year applicants
165 applied · 34 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall.
At least 4 e completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date March 1, apply by March 1, decisions by May 15, reply by May 20
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 10 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $300 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; doesn't accept the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 3) | 3 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 4 |
| Social studies | 3 | 4 |
| History | 3 | 4 |
| Academic electives | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 23 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1475 on the SAT, 305 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Bates College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Bates College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Bates College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Bates College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)