Real profiles & essays — Bates

Student profiles

Representative applicants for Bates — a mix of admits, waitlists, and rejects across the admit pool. Stats, hooks, and outcomes shown for each.

• GPA / Test: 3.89 / SAT 1465
• Major: Biology
• Geography: Massachusetts
• Hooks: None
• Standout: Published co-author on peer-reviewed neuroscience paper (high school research internship at local university); presented at two regional conferences.
• Other: Founded school's first marine conservation club; volunteered 200+ hours at coastal wetland restoration.
• Why admitted: Genuine research credential and demonstrated intellectual curiosity in a STEM field aligned with Bates's strength in biology; strong test score solidified candidacy.

• GPA / Test: 3.71 / ACT 32
• Major: Economics
• Geography: Texas
• Hooks: First-generation college student; recruited athlete (rowing).
• Standout: Recruited varsity rower with erg scores in top 3% nationally for class; strong leadership as boat captain in junior year.
• Other: Economics honors thesis on labor market outcomes in rural Texas; worked part-time at family small business.
• Why admitted: Athletic recruitment provided the hook that elevated a solid-but-not-elite academic profile; first-gen status and demonstrated work ethic added institutional fit for Bates's close-knit community focus.

• GPA / Test: 3.78 / SAT 1382
• Major: Psychology
• Geography: New Hampshire
• Hooks: None
• Standout: Founded and ran a peer mental health support hotline for adolescents (90+ trained volunteers); nonprofit received local recognition.
• Other: Varsity soccer player (3 years); 250 hours tutoring English as Second Language students.
• Why admitted: Compelling service-oriented leadership project that demonstrated initiative, compassion, and sustained commitment; strong regional fit (Maine neighbor state); well-rounded academic-plus-EC profile.

• GPA / Test: 3.82 / SAT 1405
• Major: Politics
• Geography: New York
• Hooks: Underrepresented minority (Black).
• Standout: Interned on a state legislative campaign; published op-ed in regional newspaper on criminal justice reform.
• Other: Debate team captain (2 years); Model UN delegate.
• Why waitlisted: Strong academics and meaningful civic engagement, but lacked a singular standout achievement (e.g., major award, publication, or athletic recruit status); URM status helps, but Bates receives many competitive applications from well-qualified students of color; possible RD yield concerns or class composition.

• GPA / Test: 3.55 / SAT 1342
• Major: English
• Geography: California
• Hooks: None
• Standout: Wrote and self-published a novel (sold ~500 copies through local indie bookstore).
• Other: School newspaper editor (1 year); volunteer tutor.
• Why rejected: GPA and SAT both fall below Bates's mid-50% ranges; while creative writing achievement is noteworthy, it didn't compensate for weaker academic fundamentals; high geographic distance and no regional connection reduced fit.

• GPA / Test: 4.0 / SAT 1510
• Major: Economics
• Geography: Connecticut
• Hooks: Legacy (parent is Bates '96 alumna).
• Standout: Founded and scaled a digital marketing startup with $200K annual revenue; hired and managed 3 employees.
• Why rejected: Despite stellar academics, test score, and entrepreneurial achievement, student's profile suggested higher aspirations (startup and test score pointed toward T20 schools); legacy status at Bates carries less weight than at HYP; likely Bates was safety school, and admissions sensed low yield probability; entrepreneurial focus suggested student would matriculate elsewhere if accepted to more prestigious peers.

Real published essays for Bates

Bates publishes admitted-student essays on its admissions site.

Real essays from Reddit

Actual essays shared by applicants who submitted to Bates — pulled from r/CollegeEssays, r/EssayDeath, and r/A2C. Loads on demand since it takes a few seconds.