Prologue to Bates
When Bates opened in 1855, it was New England’s first co-educational college. Since then, we have admitted students regardless of their nationality, race, religion, sex, or socio-economic status. While this openness was at the core of our founding identity and principles, it has been tested throughout time and requires us to constantly reflect upon and recommit to our mission.
At Bates, we value the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, and engage in the transformative power of our differences. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is the guiding principle behind Prologue to Bates, a program geared towards students entering their senior year who express interest in being a part of our inclusive and pluralistic community.
What is Prologue?
Prologue is an all-expenses-paid, student access fly-in program, Sunday, October 13 – Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Bates will provide transportation to and from our campus, meals, and hotel accommodations. To apply and learn more, keep reading below.
Students enjoy a unique and engaging few days of conversation and community where you’ll learn, have some fun, and meet like-minded, college-bound seniors. Together, we’ll talk about tips for the college application and financial aid processes, connect you with current Bobcats (that’s our mascot!) so you can get a sense of the student experience, introduce you to our devoted faculty and staff, and much more!
Programming is also aligned with our larger Fall Visit Day, when students from around the country and the world come to visit and learn more about Bates.
Want to know some additional highlights of what you’ll experience? During Prologue, you’ll…
- Meet other students who are interested in Bates and a liberal arts education
- Attend academic sessions and learn from professors who will guide you through Bates’ well-rounded and rigorous academic experience
- Eat meals in Commons, our nationally-recognized and highly-ranked dining hall
- Learn more about Bates’ athletic, cultural, and co-curricular events
- Visit Maine and the heart of downtown Lewiston (the diverse city where Bates is located)
- See why Bates is a special and amazing place to spend four years and develop the skills you need to succeed
Who should apply?
All students intending to enter college in Fall 2025 who are US citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students living in the US are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to students who are historically underrepresented from higher education, such as first-generation-to-college and low-income students.
How do you apply?
Start your application by selecting the button below. Submission of your complete application and materials are due by August 9, 2024.
Applicants will be notified of decisions by early-September. Due to space limitations, the Office of Admission can only invite a certain number of students to campus. Given this increased selectivity, we require applicants to complete an online application (see link below) and submit the following additional materials: 1) Required: your unofficial high school transcript (in PDF format); 2) Optional: if available, your school profile (in PDF format).
Have questions about Prologue to Bates?
Contact the Office of Admission at 207-786-6000 or admissionevents@bates.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Prologue?
Prologue is an all-expenses-paid, student access fly-in program on the Bates campus, Sunday, October 13 – Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Is Prologue Free?
Yes! Bates will provide transportation to and from our campus, meals, and hotel accommodations for any student admitted to the program who requires financial assistance.
What is the on-campus Prologue Session like?
Prologue promises to be a unique and engaging few days of conversation and community. Together, we’ll talk about tips for the college application and financial aid processes; connect you with current Bobcats so you can get a sense of the student experience; and introduce you to our devoted faculty and staff. Prologue will align with our Fall Visit day.
Who can apply to Prologue?
All students intending to enter college in Fall 2025 who are US citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students living in the US are welcome to apply.
Preference will be given to students who are historically underrepresented from higher education, such as first-generation-to-college* and low-income students.
*Bates College defines a first-generation college student as an individual from a family where no parent or guardian has earned a Bachelor’s degree.
How do I apply to Prologue?
Due to space limitations, the Office of Admission can only invite a certain number of students to campus. Given this increased selectivity, we require applicants to complete an online application and submit additional materials. When the application is online and open to applicants, you can find additional details here.
What will my school counselor need to submit for Prologue?
The student’s guidance counselor does not need to upload any materials on behalf of the student. However, a school counselor can assist with your application, particularly in providing a school profile and unofficial transcript PDF.
How do I send my materials to Bates after having applied to Prologue?
If you were unable to upload a PDF of your unofficial transcript or the optional high school profile when submitting your original application, you may send these materials in PDF format to admission@bates.edu. Please label in the subject line “[Insert your name] & Prologue Materials.”
If we do not receive these materials by the Friday, August 9, 2024 deadline, we will be unable to consider your application.
I applied to Prologue to Bates, and I am interested in applying for first-year admission to the college. Do I qualify for a fee waiver?
Yes. Any student who applied to Prologue to Bates, regardless of whether they participated or not, is eligible for an application fee waiver. To access your fee waiver, select “Bates Fly-In Program” under the prompt “Do you intend to use one of the school-specific fee waivers?” in your application. The necessary code to activate the fee waiver can be found in your Prologue to Bates decision email.