Bates Class of 2021 Regular Decision Thread

ACCEPTED…I’m totally freaking out…after being rejected from Bowdoin and Colby. I was beginning to think Maine didn’t like me…I can’t believe it!!!

@winterkomt , I am biased, but I truly do think Bates is much better than Bowdoin or Colby. You have had a lucky escape:-) Welcome to Bates!

That’s awesome!!! I haven’t checked mine yet

I’m in!!! Accepted Bates Class of 2021. And really generous financial aid too.

Waitlisted - which I’ll take as rejection

Does anyone know the chances of getting off the waitlist?

I would assume very low

Waitlisted, same as Colby, but accepted to Bowdoin. Weird

Waitlisted. 4.37 weighted gpa and 32 ACT

@s8331506 @cody27 It is very low, but last year a lot of kids got off WL. The year before though, only 11 did. It can vary dramatically from year to year. My child got off WL. If you want to be seriously considered, I will tell you what she did, as it worked.

Follow up right away with a short email stating that Bates is your first choice and you will attend if accepted. Briefly explain why you are a good fit for the school. Then, wait until closer to the May 1 deposit date. (At this point, they have probably heard back from the majority of students who plan to attend and they might have already started looking at waitlisted students.) Now compose a longer, but not too long, email, explaining why you are a good fit, what you hope to achieve and why Bates is the place to do that. Update with any new achievements or awards, etc…

Also ask your high school to send an updated progress report. If possible, ask your guidance counselor to put in a call to the admissions office and plead your case. My D asked her GC to do this, but we don’t know if that ever happened. Like other colleges, Bates will take students off the waitlist right after May 1, but due to summer melt, you could even be offered a place later.

Meanwhile, it is best to carry on as though getting off the WL won’t happen. It is very difficult, but not impossible. WL’s are utilized. Remember,they actually initially admit more students than they have room for. Some admitted studetns have to be removed from the accepted pile and moved to the WL pile. If you were one of,them, you have a much better chance of getting off the WL. You have no way of knowing any of this of course. Good luck to you, wherever you end up.

Accepted! This was a pleasant surprise. Congrats to those accepted! I wish you luck on the rest of decisions rolling in if you haven’t heard good news

@Lindagaf, Bates is probably still at the top of my list. After reading the frequently asked questions on the website ( and reflecting on why I applied there in the first place), I decided to accept the waitlist position. Although Bates still remains at the top of my list, the finances issue makes it difficult to say that I’ll attend Bates if I get accepted from the WL. Thank you for your suggestions. They were really helpful and I will take them into consideration. Hopefully, I will receive great news from Bates :).

I was accepted! Bates gave me my best financial aid offer yet, which is really exciting…

@Lindagaf Very helpful response, thanks so much. I’m drafting an email to my admissions dean now. I’m hoping I’ll have some reportable achievements by May, but I did update admissions only a month ago… some outstanding 3rd quarter grades may suffice though.

I’ll also speak with my guidance counselor and request that he call the admissions office in the near future.

I’m fully aware that reasons for being wait-listed are ridiculously ambiguous and I can only focus on my other colleges for now. Hamilton and Vassar decisions coming next week, hope they’ll have better news.

Darn it, nephew was waitlisted. We’ll accept the spot.

I was wait listed at Dickinson but accepted at Bates… Sometimes admissions decisions are weird. Like,
what’s up with that?

I was accepted! Beyond excited to join the class of 2021. Just waiting for the FA information to send my acceptance.

Congrats! @marathoner

I was accepted at Bates …Great financial Aid - best offer so far so very excited ^:)^

I have reached out to the admins about being added to the fb group but can’t seem to get a response. what should I do?