Bates College's Historic Quad centers on Hathorn Hall, the college's first building since 1857, with first-year students placed into First-Year Centers - clusters of ten to twenty students led by a Junior Advisor - across halls including Parker, Chu, and Kalperis.
Enrollment
1,760
Total Students
Freshman Class
440
Approx.
Move-In Dates
August 27 - August 27, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
13%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Dates
Arrive by car directly to Underhill Arena at 136 Central Ave. rather than parking and walking - students are dropped off to check in at Commons for their Bates ID and room key, while family drives to the assigned residence hall separately. Look for unloading zone signage and a Bates volunteer at your residence hall who will confirm your room number. Meal plans begin the same day as move-in.
August 27 - August 27, 2026
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned window - early arrivals often just wait longer.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck; loading-zone carts run out fast.
- Parking near freshman halls fills up quickly - have a backup plan or drop-off spot.
- Loading zones usually enforce a strict time limit (often 30 minutes) before you're expected to move your car to long-term parking.
- Activate your student ID online before you arrive - many schools require it for building and elevator access from day one.
- If you want your bed lofted or the frame height adjusted, check whether your school needs that request submitted online in advance - most won't do it on the spot.
- Check your school's specific package-acceptance window before shipping anything ahead - most won't hold early deliveries outside a set date range.
- Unpack essentials first: bedding, toiletries, and chargers, before anything else.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Parker Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Chu Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Kalperis Hall
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Links open Bates College's website - not always the exact page, but a real starting point.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 27 - September 1, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$18,000
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Bates College.
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