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
Aug 27, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
13%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Arrive by car directly to Underhill Arena 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.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Thursday, August 27, between 8 a.m. and noon. The arrival page also lists a Monday, August 24 option, so confirm which date applies to you.
- Check-in location
- Check in at Commons to activate your Bates ID and pick up your room key; complete your New Student Forms first. Some halls, such as Chu and Kalperis, use PIN-based access through your ID card instead of a traditional key.
- Parking
- Drop the student at Commons, then drive to your residence hall's unloading zone, which has signage and a Bates volunteer who confirms your room number. Put the index card with your room number on the dashboard so student movers know where to deliver your things. After unloading, volunteers direct you to the nearest lot.
- What you'll receive
- You'll get your activated Bates ID and your room key (or PIN access) at Commons, and your meal plan starts the same day. Student movers help carry belongings to your room.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Arrive by car to the residence hall unloading zone, unload, then move to a nearby lot.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
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
Each available link goes directly to Bates College's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
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
- CVS Pharmacy0.7 miles
- Target1.5 miles
- Walmart1.8 miles
- Walgreens3.1 miles
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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