Bates College has posted its deadlines: Early Decision I closes on November 15, and the college notifies applicants by December 20. Irvine seniors have 18 days until the deadline. Bates charges no application fee and requires no supplemental essay, so for students who have already written their Common App personal statement, most of the remaining work lies in recommendations and transcripts.
Who Is Affected by the Bates Early Decision Deadline
The deadline applies to high school seniors who have made Bates College their first choice this cycle. The college’s published timeline is as follows:
| Round | Application deadline | Decision | Reply date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 15 | By December 20 | January 8 |
| Early Decision II | January 10 | By February 15 | February 19 |
| Regular Decision | January 10 | By April 1 | May 1 |
Early Decision is binding: applicants may not apply to another binding Early Decision program and, if admitted, must withdraw all other applications. The two Early Decision rounds are reviewed as separate pools, and each year some Early Decision applicants are denied while others are deferred to Regular Decision. Students who have already applied Regular Decision can convert to Early Decision I by filing the Early Decision agreement by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on December 1, or to Early Decision II by February 1.
What to Do Now About the Bates Early Decision Deadline
Assemble the school materials. The college accepts the Common App and the Coalition (Scoir) application. Required materials are the official transcript sent by the school, the School Report or school profile, one counselor recommendation and one teacher recommendation (up to two accepted); one additional recommendation from a non-academic experience is optional. The Early Decision agreement must be signed by the student, a parent or guardian and the counselor. First-quarter grades for Early Decision I applicants are due by December 1 or as soon as available. Arts supplements (music, theater, art, dance, film and creative writing) are optional and are due November 19 for Early Decision I.
Decide whether to submit test scores. Bates has been test-optional since 1984. Students may submit official or self-reported scores; official scores are required at enrollment, and discrepancies may result in a rescinded offer.
Apply for financial aid at the same time. Students who want institutional aid must indicate this on the admission application. The college states that it meets 100 percent of calculated need and packages no more than $3,000 in student loans per academic year.
For Early Decision strategy, college lists and round planning, see the EDUBUS university admissions planning service and the four types of early application.
Sources
- Bates College: Apply (accessed October 28, 2026)
- Bates College: Application Options (accessed October 28, 2026)
- Bates College: Student Financial Services FAQs (accessed October 28, 2026)
- Colgate Early Decision I Due November 1Colgate University closes Early Decision I on November 1 and waives the application fee for first-year applications submitted in October.
- Lafayette Early Decision Due November 15Lafayette College closes Early Decision I on November 15 with decisions in mid-December. It offers an optional 20–200 word Why Lafayette essay.
- Skidmore Early Decision I Due November 1Skidmore College closes Early Decision I on November 1 and requires no supplemental essays, so the personal statement is the only essay it reads.
- Colby Early Decision Due November 15Colby College closes Early Decision I and its financial aid deadline on November 15. The college charges no application fee and requires no writing supplement.
