This is the official discussion thread for Bates College Class of 2029 RD applicants. Ask your questions and connect with fellow applicants.
Hello guys
1 Like
Last year Bates was released on the second Saturday of the month. S25 was hoping today would be the day. Does anyone have a clue when decisions might come out this year?
Hmmm, interesting. Today has been the day in years past. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe this afternoon? I believe they typically announce on social media shortly before they release decisions.
3 Likes
Like Colby and Wellesley, Bates has been consistent with its RD decision dates:
2024: 3rd Saturday, March 16th, 8am EST
2023: 3rd Saturday, March 18th 8am EST
2022: 2nd Saturday, March 12 8am EST
2021: 2nd Saturday, March 13th at 8am EST
I predict we’ll see the “Little Ivy Decision Day”[*]–including Bates at 8am EST–continue into this Saturday, March 22nd.
- I’m counting the “day” from the afternoon on the 21st when we know to expect RD decisions from Bowdoin, Smith, Claremont McKenna, Colgate, Scripps, and Lehigh.
3 Likes
Prediction confirmed: Bates announced via email that decision release is this Saturday, March 22nd by noon EST.
4 Likes
I am sure they will release at 8 am. Good luck to the future Bobcats!
My S25 was waitlisted - which we were pleasantly surprised to see given the competitive nature of Bates. Is anyone familiar with the likelihood of getting off the list? Do they frown upon LOCI’s?
1 Like
It really depends on the year. Some years it’s been none; others a small percentage. You can check the CDS from the last few years to get a sense. My daughter was accepted off the waitlist in mid-May a couple of years ago, but she ended up turning down the spot because she was excited to attend the school where she had committed. She did submit a LOCI.
2 Likes
No, send a LOCI. If there is anything to update, such as an award, an interesting summer opportunity, or anything else noteworthy, include that. Keep the letter short. State that Bates is the top choice and if accepted, he will attend. A LOCI needs to come from the student, fyi. My D sent another LOCI a towards mid April of so to reinforce her interest. Also have the GC send updated grades, especially if there has been an upward trend.
My D got off the waitlist at Bates and it was a fantastic experience for her. You can see my pinned post about her experience at the top of the Bates category.
6 Likes
S25 accepted! 1510, 3.9/4.4, solid school-level ECs. Financial aid is lower than we had hoped, but excited to have the choice.
7 Likes
C25 accepted!
TO, 3.7UW, multi-year in school and out of school ECs
5 Likes
D is very pleasantly surprised with a waitlist! Grades maybe a little below the median for Bates, but lots of rigor, community involvement and some unique interests with related EC’s. Test optional. The school feels like a personality fit for her. Thank you to all who have posted waitlist advice it is very helpful!
6 Likes
Congratulations to all the incoming Bobcats and their families! My son is nearing the end of his senior year at Bates where his college experience has been nothing less than ideal, and I’m going to dearly miss being part of the wider Bates community as a parent. I hope your experience is as good as ours has been!
6 Likes
Thank you for this info! My daughter started crafting a LOCI this morning and we will send on Monday bright and early. I’m so pleased about the waitlist - Bates is so selective and I told her she should be proud. It’s a win whatever way it turns out in our opinion! 
6 Likes
Looks like we have a baby Bobcat!
Waitlist, April 30 offer needed 24 hour response which she gave but needed time for other commitment to be withdrawn properly with AP’s and illness.
Our East Coast relatives are over the moon and so is my student though with some fear over challenging academics in STEM. Bates has been quite welcoming. I feel a sense of loss over letting go the other school which is truly special as well but perhaps less of a fit. I’m sure that will fade.
Onward to Bates and new experiences! D25’s choice, the first big one in along line of them I’m sure!
9 Likes
I’m retracting a prior question about dorms because we realized first years cannot request a specific dorm, just a category with 3 options That made it very easy.
1 Like