Decisions and deadlines, start to finish

The College's deadline to receive regular applications for the first-year class is January 1. Bates notifies applicants of admission decisions in late March.

Bates uses the Common Application and a required supplement. We strongly encourage families seeking financial assistance to submit an application for aid by the January 1 deadline.

• Admissions timeline

Early Decision

If you're certain that Bates is your first choice, please think seriously about the Early Decision plan. ED is binding — meaning that you can submit applications to other colleges, but with the understanding that you'll withdraw these applications if Bates accepts you under ED.

Deferred admission

For some students, taking a break from academic pursuits during the year after high school ultimately leads to a richer college experience. Once they're accepted, Bates grants deferred admission to such students.

January admission

A limited number of first-year and transfer students are admitted to the College at the beginning of the second semester.

Next: Costs & financial aid