Bowdoin College
- Greek Life

Frats and Sororities? We Have College Houses Instead.

Greek life was taken away from Bowdoin several years ago and was replaced by the college house system. The college house system is open for anyone to join. Every week or so, each college house will organize campus-wide parties with various themes. There are times when college house parties get repetitive, but for the most part, they're pretty fun.

Harry Potter Arrives in America

We have a house system instead of a Greek system, sort of like Harry Potter. You are a member of a house the moment you arrive on campus and can be as involved as you like. Personally, I felt like my house was a family waiting for me when I got here. They helped me with both my academic and social life. I decided at the end of my freshman year to apply to live in the house itself. The process involves references, short essays, and interviews. There is absolutely no hazing since you are already a member of the house. I love living in the house. We plan parties, movies viewings, community service, and lots of other events for both our affiliates and the campus. The houses are central to the social scene at Bowdoin.

No Greek Life at Bowdoin

The College abolished the Greek life system about 15 years ago. Instead, each freshman dorm is associated with a social house, which is responsible for putting on parties. Typically, associates of the house are admitted an hour earlier than the rest of campus. The houses are nice to have, but they're not an essential part of campus life.