I did look up percent of athletes at Bates, and it’s about 40% which is really high. It’s also a small school. I guess my non athlete son probably doesn’t have a chance. I can’t believe we’re living in a world where a strong student can’t even get into a school like Bates. It’s just unbelievable and now we don’t know what to do about ED2. This whole process has been horrible.
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@scholar4ever , if you son is truly interested in Bates as a first choice and you don’t need to compare FA offers, do ED2. It certainly won’t hurt. And it could help.
The process is stressful. But if I were betting, your S will end up with good options!
As for athletes, there are many who would have loved to go to Bates but weren’t what the coach wanted. If they wanted to keep playing, they had to find another school. Or if they wanted Bates, they had to apply like any other applicant. My kid found himself in that second group. While it’s easy to envy the recruits, they go thru a tortured process as well…
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Daughter got in today! Very exciting! To the parent debating about non athlete son and ED2, I think being a male will really help. The percentage of male students at LACs is dropping significantly each year. Bates will be no different this year…
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I disagree with your thinking that Bates wouldn’t want your son. I think their long term commitment to SAT-optional shows they truly do approach admissions holistically.
He should go for it-ED2 will only help!
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Also, @scholar4ever -The college search is just as stressful for that 40% athlete group at Bates. The NESCACs, which includes Bates does not accept sub-par athletes, that’s why they call them scholar-athletes!
My son has 4 APs just this year, (6total) with a 96 GPA (why our school has to use a 100 scale-I don’t know!) He had to do all the schoolwork, same college applications, swim meets, recruiting trips and correspondence, while also attending 8 practices a week. Oh and trying to fit in some fun socializing since it’s senior year.
Good luck to your son, but I do think Bates could be his place! Please have him demonstrate interest-Bates loves that-sign up for Virtual events, do an interview, follow social media accounts.
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Yes! Applied last year. From what I’ve seen, he has been very happy at Bates so far, despite a number of curveballs thrown his way.
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For whatever it’s worth, my son applied ED1 without any athletic hook. Had hoped to play soccer in college, but got hurt junior year and then Covid. But he really knew what he was looking for in a school and that Bates was a great fit. It helped that his college counselor also felt it was a great fit. Interviewed (talking to other people is a strength of his). He had strong LORs, even from a notoriously tough teacher who did not give him top grades, and extremely strong test scores. I felt like Bates looked at the whole package.
I do think they care about interest and fit, so if your son really wants to go there have him use that ED2 chip.
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Thank you all. Oldest child, first time going through this. It is SO EMOTIONAL, and choosing an ED2 with all the emotions and trying to be strategic at the same time is really taking a strain on us!
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@scholar4ever My brother and his wife who went to Bates (met their first semester there!) both got in ED1 and neither were athletes. I think Bates’s ED admit rate is high because that’s when most of the recruited athletes get in, but lots of non-athletes get in too. Also, keep in mind that not all recruited athletes get the same advantage. NESCAC has very strict recruiting rules to maintain the high academic standards. For a very small few athletes, sports can compensate a little when other credentials are lacking, but most of the athletes have to meet the same standards as any other admitted applicant, and being an athlete is just another tally in their favor on the application.
If your son loves Bates, go for it in ED2!
Regarding financial aid, we are happy with what we got. Our out-of-pocket cost is less than our FAFSA EFC, making it about the same as the in-state sticker price at our state’s universities.
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My D graduated from Bates in 2020. I think your non-athlete son has a chance ED2, and a pretty good one at that.
Bates isn’t just looking for male athletes. Bates has plenty of school spirit but is definitely not a rah rah school and athletes do not dominate campus life. Your son is an Asian American, which is a minor “hook” at a lot of LACs. He is from CA, where Bates is eager to recruit students (there are plenty of CA kids at Bates, but being known on the West Coast is desirable).
I will send you a message, as I don’t want to take the thread too off topic.
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My son applied ED2 last year and was admitted with a lower unweighted GPA than your son (but he did submit his test scores, which were high). He played a varsity sport in high school, but didn’t want to play in college (which was clear on his application), so athletic recruiting wasn’t a factor in his admission. I think your son has a shot, depending on how rest of his application - extracurriculars, rec letters, and personal statement - demonstrates a fit with Bates.
My son is taking a gap year this year, so he’ll be starting with the Class of 2026 next fall!
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My daughter was deferred last year as an ED applicant at Bates and then was accepted in RD. She just finished her first semester and couldn’t be any happier. Good luck!
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My daughter was deferred ED2 last year and then got in RD. She sent her admissions officer two emails with updates and reiterated her strong interest. She also had an (optional) interview and talked to a Bates student who was listed on the admissions page as being available for informational interviews. Since Bates really wants to see demonstrated interest, it helps to reach out!
My daughter absolutely loves Bates so far. Good luck!
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thank you all, @forbes57 , @lighthouse7 !
It really helps a lot. I will send them LOCIs. I have already requested an alumni inteview too. Hope that works out.
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Fwiw, I think that when someone applies ED, that’s plenty of demonstrated interest. That says they’d attend if accepted. How much more interested can they be? Is there more love than that?
Of course, the ED application should reflect an understanding of the school. Wanting to major in something the school doesn’t offer is going to suggest to the reader that you’re a bad fit . But demonstrated interest typically reflects to the admissions office that if you are offered an opportunity to attend, you’ll serious consider it.
Yes, follow up with LOCI. If you can add anything to your app (New prizes, continued good grades), do it. Bit don’t feel like they might not have known how happy you would have been to attend!
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Couldn’t be more thrilled!!! My child got in ED 1. Bates does a true holistic review of the applications. It truly seems like a kind and friendly school. Love the 4-4-1 semesters.
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I saw on another post that your daughter still talks about her favorite classes. Would you mind listing some of them? I am also wondering where one can find Bates requirements.
Try looking under academics on the website. It may be in the course catalog. Each major will list its requirements as,well. (Not just for Bates! – We did this for all schools DS was considering.)
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