Location: Lewiston, Maine
Established: March 16, 1855; the first coeducational college in New England
Enrollment: ~1,800
Admit Rate: ~13% (Class of 2028)
Yield Rate: ~38%
Endowment: $447 Million (2024)
Academic Calendar: 4-4-1 (Two semesters plus a 5-week "Short Term" in May)
School Colors: Garnet, #881124
School Mascot: Bobcats
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $66,560 USD (2024–25 Tuition)
Typical SAT Scores: Test Optional; Reading and Writing 685–730, Math 700–770 (for submitters)
Motto: Amore ac Studio (With ardor and devotion)
Notable: Most majors end with a senior thesis or a similar capstone project. Many also require a thesis. The program is recognized for having a strong debate society.
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Quick Facts Snapshot
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Founded: 1855
Enrollment: ~1,800
Admit rate: ~13% (Class of 2028)
Yield rate: ~38%
Endowment: $447 Million
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Why This School Fits the Little Ivy Profile
As one of the Maine "Big Three," Bates balances NESCAC athletic strength with a long-standing commitment to equality. It adopted a test-optional policy decades before it became popular. Bates emphasizes a well-rounded "Little Ivy" identity that values character as much as intelligence.

Selectivity & Admissions
Approximate admit rate: 13%
Selectivity trend: Steady tightening; highly self-selective for students who want community over cutthroat competition.
SAT/ACT ranges: Test Optional (Submitters: SAT 1380–1500)

Academic Strengths
Signature programs: Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies; Politics; Environmental Studies.
Faculty ratio: 10:1
Key differentiator: Senior Thesis. Nearly every student completes a senior thesis or capstone project, offering a graduate-level research experience.

Outcomes
Salary or placement overview: 99% of the Class of 2023 was settled (employed or in grad school) within six months.
Alumni influence: Strong network in New England politics, non-profits, and education.
Where grads typically go: Fellowships (Top producer of Fulbright Scholars), Boston/NYC finance, and Maine-based NGOs.

Campus Culture
Traditions: Puddle Jump. Students cut a hole in the frozen Lake Andrews and jump in during mid-winter.
Social environment: Down-to-earth and unpretentious; no Greek life creates a more unified, albeit smaller, social scene.
Notable athletics or arts strengths: Strong debate team (Brooks Quimby Debate Council) and competitive Nordic skiing.

How It Compares
[Bates vs. Bowdoin vs. Colby: Which Maine School is Right for You?]
[Bates vs. Middlebury: Skiing and Studies]

FAQs
Is Lewiston a college town?
It is a post-industrial city, not a traditional "college town," but it offers grit and real-world community engagement opportunities.
What is "Short Term"?
‍A 5-week term in May where students take only one intensive class, often involving travel or fieldwork.
Is it truly test-optional?
‍Yes, Bates has been test-optional since 1984 and views it as a core part of their equity mission.

Further Reading
‍Bates College – Facts & History (official)
https://www.bates.edu/about/facts/
Bates College – Institutional Research & Common Data Set
https://www.bates.edu/institutional-research/common-data-set/
Bates College – Financial Aid & Tuition (2024–25)
https://www.bates.edu/admission-aid/tuition-aid/
NCES College Navigator – Bates College Profile
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=160977
Bates College – Academics & Senior Thesis / Short Term
https://www.bates.edu/academics