The incoming class that arrives at Bates College in August will be drawn from the largest applicant pool in the college’s history, totalling 10,029 applications, marking the third straight year of record-high applications at Bates.
By the Numbers
Bates has achieved record applications in each of the past three years:
Class of 2026: 8,273
Class of 2027: 8,937
Class of 2028: 10,029
“Bates continues to recruit successfully and broadly both in the U.S. and internationally, and the Bates message continues to resonate everywhere we go,” said Leigh Weisenburger, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid.
“Throughout 2023, beginning in winter spanning through the fall, our admission team visited hundreds of high schools and participated in more than 300 college fairs and events in 26 states and 14 countries to meet students, families, and counselors where they are.”
Bates will extend Regular Decision offers of admission by April 1. Combined with enrolling Early Decision students, the incoming Class of 2028 is expected to number approximately 500.
President Garry W. Jenkins said, “As the new Bates president who went through something akin to an ‘admission’ experience last year, I can say that Bates — our values, ethos, and amazing people — is incredibly attractive. We are thrilled that a record number of prospective students of talent and achievement have identified a Bates education as valuable and are eager to join our dynamic community.”
He added, “When it comes to undergraduate education, the highly selective, residential liberal arts experience is the gold standard. What Bates does, we do better than anyone else: provide an educational experience where students can best learn, grow, and thrive in the classroom and beyond. We look forward to welcoming an outstanding Class of 2028 in the fall.”
In terms of U.S. applications, all 50 states and the District of Columbia are represented. Applications increased from Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Southern states. Globally, 138 countries, including the U.S., are represented in the pool. In addition, U.S. and international first-generation-to-college applications were up 25 percent.
“Through growth in applications, prospective students, parents and families, and educators are signaling to us that Bates is a highly desirable college destination for high-achieving students,” said Weisenburger.
The incoming Class of 2028 will be supported by an institutional need-based grant budget totalling $12 million. Bates anticipates that over 40 percent of incoming students will receive such necessary grant aid.
“Heightened interest from a diverse and talented global pool of students is tangible and measurable evidence of Bates’ desirability in the higher education marketplace,” said Weisenburger. “Bates remains a preferred destination for an exceptional, transformative, and inclusive educational journey.”
Did You Know?
Here is the A to Z list of the 138 countries represented in this year’s applicant pool:
Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R., India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Macau S.A.R., Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
