Bates Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Lewiston, ME
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Bates Admission Overview

Bates admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Maine. Last year Bates admitted 13.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1420-1530 / ACT 31-34. Bates is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bates is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bates Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

13.3%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Bates acceptance rate is 13.3%. Last year, only 1,336 of 10,027 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Maine and the 47th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bates and can you get accepted?

Bates is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 37% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bates GPA

Bates considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.

Bates SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1420-1530

Freshmen who sent SAT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 710
Math 710
Composite 1420

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 780
Composite 1530

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Bates typically score around a 1480 SAT (middle 50% 1420–1530) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Bates ranks #3 in the state of Maine and #52 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1420 to 1530

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1420–1530 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Bates is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1480 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Bates College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1530+	Above 75th	>22%
1480 to 1530	Avg +	14%-22%
1420 to 1480	Avg -	7%-14%
Below 1420	Below mid-50	<7%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Bates ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

31-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 31

75th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Bates typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Bates places #3 among colleges in Maine and #70 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 31–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Bates without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Bates College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>26%
32 to 34	Avg +	13%-26%
31 to 32	Avg -	9%-13%
Below 31	Below mid-50	<9%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

62% of Bates College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bates College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	62%
Top 25% of class	87%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Bates chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Bates College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	5,007	5,012	10,027
Accepted	724	612	1,336
Acceptance Rate	14%	12%	13%
Enrolled	268	220	488
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	37%	36%	37%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bates College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bates College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bates College is $65.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Bates College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Bates is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 13.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1420-1530); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025