Bates College

Lewiston, ME · founded 1855 · 1,800 students · liberal arts college · NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference)

Known for: Bates College is a highly selective liberal arts college known for its strong commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and a rigorous academic program with a distinctive year-round calendar (4-4-1). It was one of the first coeducational colleges in New England.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #21
Forbes: #67

Top programmes

Psychology
Economics
Environmental Studies
Political Science
Neuroscience

Notable alumni

Benjamin Mays — Civil rights leader, mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.
Edmund Muskie — U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Democratic vice-presidential nominee
Joan Benoit Samuelson — Olympic gold medalist in the first women's marathon
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Environmental lawyer and activist
Kathryn D. Sullivan — NASA astronaut and first American woman to walk in space

Traditions

Mountain Day (surprise fall holiday)
Puddle Jump (polar plunge)
Bates Dance Festival
Winter Carnival

If Bates College were…

As a food: Maine lobster roll from a roadside shack — Unpretentious, rooted in place, no frills but deeply satisfying—Bates doesn't do pomp, just substance and a fierce commitment to its rugged, egalitarian New England identity.
As an athlete: Megan Rapinoe — Outspoken, progressive, team-first, and unapologetically activist. Bates students are known for organizing, advocating, and winning through collective effort rather than individual glory.
As a person alive today: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — Young, idealistic, unafraid to challenge the establishment, and deeply committed to equity and justice—the Bates ethos in human form.
As a historical figure: Harriet Beecher Stowe — A New England abolitionist who used her platform to fight injustice and galvanize social change, much like Bates' founding mission and ongoing activist culture.
As a movie or TV show: Dead Poets Society — Small, intense, intellectually passionate community where professors know you by name and challenge you to think for yourself, all set against a backdrop of tradition and natural beauty.
As a US president: Jimmy Carter — Earnest, community-service oriented, more interested in doing good than looking good, with a strong moral compass and a preference for substance over style.
As a city: Portland, Oregon — Outdoorsy, progressive, unpretentious, a little crunchy, fiercely independent, and proud of its local character despite being smaller and less flashy than the big names.
As an element: Iron — Strong, essential, unpretentious, and foundational—Bates builds character and resilience without the glitter of precious metals.
As a car: 2018 Subaru Outback Wilderness — Bates students embody this Maine-ready, all-weather adventurer: progressive, outdoorsy, and built for both Acadia trails and social justice work. It's unpretentious, inclusive, and thrives in New England's rugged terrain

Campus life

Bates has a vibrant, engaged campus culture with a strong emphasis on community service, outdoor activities, and intellectual curiosity. Social life is largely centered on campus events, clubs, and the historic, student-run Commons.