About Bates College

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates College is a non-sectarian private liberal arts college founded by abolitionists in 1855 and the oldest coeducational institution in New England. Bates’ program is geared towards the total development of its students from critical thinking and problem solving to self-expression through writing, and challenging their skills in independent research and collaborative undertaking. One of the country’s finest liberal arts colleges, Bates offers bachelor degrees with 32 majors and minors; students can design their own interdisciplinary major. Almost 1,800 students from Bates College benefit from the commitment and dedication of its 200 teaching scholars, all of whom are holders of Ph.D. or terminal degree in their respective fields. The student – faculty ratio is 10:1, and the majority of classes are made up of less than 20 students.
Since its establishment Bates Colleges has always been committed to a well-rounded education where students are prepared for leadership in the real world. Bates instituted one of the nation’s first SAT-optional admission programs in 1984. It is ranked #22 Best Liberal Arts College in the nation (2014) by US News & World Report, and #107 by Forbes (2013).

Athletics Department of Bates College

Bates College believes that sports participation and fierce competitions are crucial in the educational process, and that being a student-athlete is a privilege that comes with responsibilities, most important of which is strict adherence to the Bates College Student-Athlete Code of Ethics. As student-athletes representing the College varsity members must at all times conduct themselves in an exemplary manner that is reflective of the school and its students. Athletes are constantly in the limelight and they are looked upon as role models and leaders and nothing less is expected of them. Dishonorable conduct is deemed as a breach of the Code and sanctions commensurate with the offense committed are strictly imposed.

Athletics Programs of Bates College

Bates can be considered a highly athletic college, where one out three students is an athlete and competes on one or more varsity teams; the students also actively engage in intramural sports. Bates College is a member of New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium, fielding 31 varsity teams in the NCAA Division III.
Men’s varsity sports include Alpine and Nordic skiing, basketball, baseball, football, golf, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, squash, tennis, rowing, swimming and diving, and track and field. On the other hand, women’s sports consist of Alpine and Nordic skiing, cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, rowing, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, squash, golf, softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

Official Sports Team: Bobcats

Bates College’s official varsity team is known as the Bobcats. Since 1930 Bates College’s varsity teams have been getting their slice of the athletic achievements pie in intercollegiate sports: 311 All-American awards and 23 NCAA championships in 16 sports.The strength of Bates’ rowing tradition shone through when Andrew Byrnes (class of 2005),playing for the Canadian National team,bagged the Gold medal in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.In the winter of the same yearNordic Skier SylfanEllefson wasdeclared the highest ranked skier, the best ever for Bates, in the Eastern Collegiate Ski Association (EISA) and placed 4th in NCAA Division I championships.

Bates College holds the distinction of having the oldest college football teams and fields in the United States – the Garcelon Field where the first ever college football game in Maine was played between the Bobcats and the Tufts in 1875.

Guide to Athletic Scholarships for Bates College

Bates College, as a member of NCAA Division III, does not offer athletic scholarships. There is, however, a wide array of need-based, merit-based and course-specific scholarships and other financial aid packages designed to assist students in their education expenses and for which student-athletes may apply.

There are about 40 different kinds of grants and scholarships for undergraduates and graduate students. These programs are usually from institutions, state and federal grants to alumni and scholarships from external sources, all of which are provided in varying amounts. Students can also avail of loans. Bates College also provides financial aids. An average financial aid covers about 73% of tuition.