Bates College welcomes incoming exchange students from Spelman College and Morehouse College for a semester. The exchange program between Bates and Spelman and Morehouse has existed since the 1990s and is a recognition of our shared history.

Benjamin E. Mays is a graduate of Bates College (class of 1920) and served as the president of Morehouse College for 27 years. Mays also received an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from Bates in 1947. In his book, Born to Rebel (1971), he said, “Bates College did not ’emancipate’ me; it did the far greater service of making it possible for me to emancipate myself, to accept with dignity my own worth as a free man. Small wonder that I love Bates College!”

Each year, on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, representatives from the Morehouse debate team travel to Bates College and participate in a friendly debate with the Bates debate team. 

Process and Eligibility
Please consult with your home institution regarding the timeline for approval to participate in the exchange program. Interested students may also contact Darren Gallant, Associate Dean & Director of Global Education (dgallant@bates.edu) to learn more about the program and Bates College.

Interested students are expected to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and be in their 3rd/junior year when participating in the program.

This exchange program is only available to students at Morehouse and Spelman Colleges.

Demonstrated interest in joining Bates for a semester exchange is required by April 15 for Fall Term and September 15 for Winter Term.

Academics at Bates
Bates offers coursework towards many majors and minors. You can explore these programs online here and the available coursework in the catalog. Please note that course offerings change each year and are not guaranteed. Incoming students must meet the prerequisite requirements in order to participate in courses that have prerequisites.

Bates has a unique academic calendar with two regular semesters (Fall or Winter) and a short term in April/May. Students attending for Winter term (January to April) are invited to also participate in one on-campus Short Term course during the short term period. Participation in Short Term is optional.

Incoming exchange students will enroll in (4) four 1-credit courses during Fall or Winter and can enroll in one (1) short term course worth 0.5 credits. Your home institution will determine how that transfers to your degree program.

Entry during the Fall semester provides for a more robust introduction to Bates and the opportunity to participate in our new student orientation program.

Finances and Student Health Insurance
Per the terms of the exchange program, incoming exchange students are not charged Bates tuition but are charged the cost of housing and meal plan. These costs are available online here. Students may also be charged for student health insurance, depending on if their existing plan meets the criteria set by Bates. Incoming exchange students are not eligible for financial aid, emergency funding support, or financial aid for extra cost Short Term courses.

Bates and Lewiston
There is an abundance of information on Bates’ Office of Admissions webpage that you are recommended to review. This includes information on Bates College, Lewiston, and Maine. 

You can learn more about Bates campus life by visiting this website. 

Incoming exchange students will live in Bates provided housing alongside Bates students. Housing options will vary by availability but are available to view online.