Admissions

Although Bates is an amazing school, think about its geography. It has a wealth of opportunities for the outdoors and isn't that far from big cities such as Boston, or more close to home, Portland, Maine. Make sure you are good with the isolation. But isolation does not mean lack of opportunities. Visit campus! Merely looking at photos does not capture the experience. Talk to the students when you visit, everyone is very friendly and usually love to talk to prospective students about what it means to be a Batesie, even a newly named bobkitten (first-year).

Visit the campus and try to stay over night and sit in on classes so you can really experience Bates. That's how most people fall in love with it. Come in first semester willing to work hard because your first semester courses will be interesting but hard. Also, join a club on campus (outing club, debate, dance, chess, eating, volleyball, etc.) because that's how you'll get the most out of Bates socially.
Go on an AESOP trip. It's our annual entering student's outdoor program. You can do backpacking on the easiest trail or do a level five as a first time backpacker like myself in the White Mountains. You can chill on the Maine beach, go canoeing, etc.
Also, stay for your first short term (five weeks-one class). The class options are so unique and you will love whatever you choose. There are things happening every single day after classes like dances, day at the beach, hiking trips, concerts (Lupe Fiasco), and much more.

Do not be nervous when you step onto campus. When you visit, sit in on a few different classes. If you have a friend on campus, ask if you can stay the night, or ask admissions if there is a host available. Try and get away from the generic tour, and get a real feel for what the school is all about.

Do not enroll at a school based on their prestige. Remember the reason why you are attending college. Partying is fun but take advantage of the extracurricular opportunities, talks, shows. There's tons of stuff to do! Where else are you going to be granted the opportunity to join a circus club for free!

Apply ED if you think the school is your top choice, as 50% of ED applicants get in (v.s. an overall 25% student acceptance rate). On paper Bates, Bowdoin and Colby seem very similar, so visit the campuses to get a feel for the atmosphere.. Bates students are extremely welcoming.

Show interest and let them know that you really want to come here. To the admissions office, you are not just a number and the deans here really want to get to know you as a person before they make their decision.

Try to go in with some idea of what you want to major in.