Did Bates College defer you or your child in their Early Decision I or Early Decision II rounds? Don’t throw in the towel just yet. You still have the agency to shape Bates’ decision to your benefit. Learn Ivy Coach’s tips for optimizing your case for admission to Bates post-deferral.

Bates College Early Decision Admission Rates Over 17+ Years

The acceptance rate across Bates’ Early Decision rounds has stayed surprisingly consistent since the program’s inception in the 2007-08 admissions cycle. While most highly selective colleges have seen their Early-round acceptance rates dwindle in recent years, Bates’ most recent ED acceptance rate, 41.73%, is virtually the same as its first-ever ED acceptance rate, 41.57%.

Let’s examine the ED acceptance rate over the last 17 years using data from publicly available Common Data Sets.

Admissions Cycle	Bates College Graduating Class	Early Decision Acceptance Rate
2023-24	Class of 2028	41.73%
2022-23	Class of 2027	47.79%
2021-22	Class of 2026	58.09%
2020-21	Class of 2025	46.30%
2019-20	Class of 2024	42.44%
2018-19	Class of 2023	45.07%
2017-18	Class of 2022	48.40%
2016-17	Class of 2021	50.32%
2015-16	Class of 2020	45.80%
2014-15	Class of 2019	42.11%
2013-14	Class of 2018	43.35%
2012-13	Class of 2017	45.92%
2011-12	Class of 2016	42.80%
2010-11	Class of 2015	48.35%
2009-10	Class of 2014	47.65%
2008-09	Class of 2013	45.54%
2007-08	Class of 2012	41.57%

5 Steps to Take After Being Deferred by Bates College

It’s time to spring into action. Do these five things to optimize your chances of admission to Bates.

1. Take some time to consider what went wrong with your application by signing up for a PostMortem application review with one of Ivy Coach’s former elite college admissions officers. This review is a crucial step in understanding and improving your application. You won’t get the answers you need by contacting an admissions officer at Bates. Instead, with the help of Ivy Coach, pivot to a competitive application strategy.
2. Write Bates a Letter of Continued Interest to be submitted in the days following your deferral. Don’t delay — the longer you wait to submit your letter, the less impact it will make. This letter should showcase all the details you love about Bates as they relate to your singular hook, including its unique history, culture, traditions, activities, resources, and opportunities. Writing a successful letter will inspire admissions officers to root for your case.
3. Once you’ve retooled your admissions approach with a PostMortem and Letter of Continued Interest, take this knowledge to the rest of your Regular Decision applications. Don’t let this setback throw you off your game!
4. Contact your high school counselor and politely request that they advocate to Bates on your behalf using your new approach detailed in your Letter of Continued Interest. Your counselor is the one person in your corner who can make an impression on admissions officers at your top choice.
5. Put your best foot forward and continue to strive for academic and standardized test excellence for the remainder of your senior year. Now is not the time to slack off!

What Not to Do After Being Deferred by Bates

It takes a lot of work to navigate a deferral. Be sure to steer clear of the following pitfalls recently deferred students often succumb to.

1. Refrain from pestering Bates admissions officers with questions about what went wrong with your application. Ivy Coach’s task is to supply you with these answers, not Bates! Besides, they likely would not be honest with you even if they do entertain these unnecessary questions.
2. Don’t send weekly updates detailing every last accomplishment to Bates admissions, hoping to impress them into admitting you. If you’ve sent them a strong Letter of Continued Interest, you’ve done all you can on that front! Let the letter speak for itself.
3. Don’t make an enemy out of your high school counselor because you believe they are at fault for your deferral. Your deferral is your responsibility, and you need them to make that advocacy call!
4. Don’t flood your Bates application portal with superfluous information that won’t help your case. It might sound crazy, but some families have not been beyond uploading extra letters of recommendation or personalized videos pleading with admissions officers! Don’t do it!
5. Don’t visit Bates unexpectedly to try to win them over. You’ll only come across as a nuisance! They don’t want to meet with you.

Bates College Deferral FAQ

What does Bates value that’s not necessarily important to other elite schools?

Bates College has a considerably small student body that is proud of its alma mater and spirited about student traditions. Since the campus is located in a small town in Maine, time spent in nature is a big part of student spirit. Bates values applicants who understand this unique culture and share a love of small community and nature.

Is it possible to earn admission to Bates after a deferral?

It certainly is! However, Bates does not publish data on the likelihood of acceptance post-deferral. Most elite universities typically admit around 10% of deferred students.

Ivy Coach’s Help After Bates College Deferral

Don’t lose steam during this critical period. Bates College is still well within reach with the help of one of Ivy Coach’s former elite college admissions officers, who will help you create a compelling singular admissions hook and narrative that signals to Bates admissions officers you will take full advantage of all the resources and opportunities available on campus. If you would like to optimize your child’s post-deferral odds of admission to Bates, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.