Bates College
A liberal arts college in Maine with an early test-optional policy, a distinctive short-term five-week module each spring, and a residential culture shaped by its Bobcat traditions and close faculty relationships.
- Next deadline
- Nov 15, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 1Prompt
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 14%Selective
- Enrollment
- 1,800Small undergrad
Build your Bates College application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Why School300 words2026-2027
Bates College students often talk about the value of the liberal arts and the transformative nature of a Bates education. Tell us what draws you to Bates.
How to approach Bates College's supplemental essays
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Use this as a blank structure for a Bates College why-school response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Bates College, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Bates College require?
Bates College has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Bates College accept the Common Application?
Yes — Bates College accepts the Common Application.
What is Bates College's acceptance rate?
Bates College's most recently reported acceptance rate is 14.0%.
When is Bates College's next application deadline?
Bates College's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 15, 2026.
What does Bates College's why-school essay prompt ask (300 words)?
Bates College students often talk about the value of the liberal arts and the transformative nature of a Bates education. Tell us what draws you to Bates.
Sources and verification
We prioritize Bates College's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →