By JOANNA STANDLEY
Copy Editor
 

In the past, Bates accepted both its own application and the Common Application, giving equal consideration to both. However, this practice created some confusion on behalf of students and guidance counselors who wondered if one application had an advantage over the other.

In an attempt to remove the ambiguity associated with accepting both applications, Bates has switched exclusively to the Common Application, in conjunction with the Bates Supplement to the Common Application.

Dean of Admissions Wylie Mitchell hopes that this move will simplify the admissions process. "We were constantly being asked by students, `Which application should I use?' So we said, let's eliminate the confusion," Dean Mitchell explained.

"We want to make it easier for students to apply to Bates and potentially de-stress students who are in the process of applying," he said.

The Common Application, which is printed and distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is currently accepted by 191 selective colleges and universities across the country, many of which use the form exclusively.

The concept behind the Common Application is simplicity - students fill out just one application, photocopy it, and send it to as many of the participating colleges as they want.

Collectively, the participating colleges decide on the content and format of the application.

As with most college applications, the Common Application consists of an application for admission, a school report, and two teacher evaluations. Applicants must also write a personal statement, either on a topic of their own choice or on one of the topics suggested on the application.

Bates also requires that applicants complete a supplement to the Common Application, which requests information that is of particular interest to the admissions staff at Bates. The supplement includes a midyear report form, optional arts and athletic forms, and a contract for students who are applying Early Decision. In addition to the Common Application essay, applicants must respond to the question, "Why, in particular, do you wish to attend Bates?" Applicants are also encouraged to send supporting materials, such as slides of art work, creative writing samples, or personal recommendations.

Karen Kothe, assistant dean of admissions, explained that the supplement requires that applicants are familiar with Bates. "We want applicants to have had an interview and to have seen the campus. This is not an easy way out," she said. Switching to the Common Application is part of a larger effort by Bates to reach out to prospective students and raise the visibility of the college. Another venue Bates is increasingly utilizing is the world wide web. The Bates Admissions web site, www.bates.edu/admissions/, enables prospective students to download the Common Application, as well as access on-line companies like Apply! and CollegeEdge. Through CollegeEdge, students can build a profile on the internet and can essentially get recruited by colleges. "We can get names of students who meet the Bates criteria and then contact them," explained Dean Mitchell. "I think in a couple of years, most students will use one of these companies."

Between now and mid-December, Bates is also offering off-campus interviews in over 24 U.S. cities, as well as several locations overseas. "We're emphasizing getting the deans out of the office and to other cities," said Dean Kothe. "The idea is to take Bates on the road to prospective students."

However, the fall is also the busiest time for on-campus interviews, so the admissions staff has selected eight seniors, called Admissions Fellows, to assist with interviewing and other related tasks. "With so many of the deans out of the office, we need to have people manning the shop," Dean Kothe said.

Both Dean Mitchell and Dean Kothe are very optimistic about the new direction in which admissions is heading.

"This admissions office is very innovative," said Dean Mitchell. "We are looking to balance how to provide personalized assistance while working on the scale we are on, which is clearly both national and international."