Bates College Admission
Bates College Undergraduate Program
Bates College Application

The Facts

Bates College is a rather small liberal arts college located in the town of Lewiston, Maine, and is home to approximately 1,745 undergraduate and part-time students. The school is somewhat unconventional in terms of its admission policies. It has made the submission of test scores optional, and relies heavily upon personal interviews and writing samples to determine which students are eventually accepted. The school has a strong program in the natural sciences, and many undergraduate students are accepted into prestigious medical schools after graduation. The college also offers many other programs, including studies in interdisciplinary matters, writing, and social studies. Bates College offers students a choice of 32 majors; some of the most popular choices include psychology, economics, political science, biology, and English.

Admission to Bates College is quite competitive for a school of such diminutive size. Last year, over 4,100 students applied for admission and about 1,254 were accepted. Eventually however, only about 480 of those admitted actually enrolled for the coming Fall semester. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1270 to an impressive 1410, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 29-33. Furthermore, over 92% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of 3.6.

Bates College has a fantastic student to faculty ratio of 10:1, and most of the undergraduate classes, even the core curriculum, is primarily discussion based. Students rave about the accessibility of their teachers, who constantly are making sure the students know they are always available. The school is also known for its openness and tolerance, and all students are made welcome at Bates.

The Social Scene

The town of Lewiston doesn't have much to offer, however, the surrounding area and the campus itself is absolutely gorgeous and a haven for all nature lovers. The campus is heavily forested and students love to participate in any outdoor activity they can get their hands on. The dorms at Bates are also incredible; many students are housed in beautiful, restored Victorian-era houses, and the majority of students stay in campus housing for all four years. (not a surprise!)

Bates is definitely not a crazy party school, but this doesn't mean students are devoid of a sense of fun. Many students throw their own parties, as the school doesn't have any official fraternities or sororities. Additionally, pretty much every student on campus is involved in a club or a sport of some kind, and those who are not often come to the games to cheer their friends on.

The dating scene at Bates is pretty vibrant; there are people of every persuasion here, and it's a guarantee that there's something for everyone here.

What’s Good

“People love to help others out here. You never feel lonely or helpless because there are always other people there for you.”

“The dorms are incredible, and they really don't feel like dorms at all. They feel like homes.”

“The teachers are fantastic. They really honestly care about their students, and don't put on an air of superiority. You feel like they're learning along with you.”

What’s Bad

“The school tends to feel way too small sometimes. It can get pretty suffocating.”

“We're basically out in the middle of nowhere, and you feel really really isolated.”

“The classes can turn into more of a personal opinion-driven debate rather than a learning experience.”

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