Bowdoin College

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Bowdoin at a Glance

Location:
Brunswick, ME
Setting:
Town
Control:
Private Non-Profit
In-State Tuition:
$40,020
Out-of-State Tuition:
$40,020
Room & Board:
$11,315
Full-Time Undergrads:
1,771
Part-Time Undergrads:
6
More statistics . . .
School Website:
www.bowdoin.edu
Admissions Website:
www.bowdoin.edu/admissions
Financial Aid Website:
www.bowdoin.edu/studentaid
Application Deadline:
January 1
Acceptance Rate:
20 %
Admission Difficulty:
Very Hard
Average SAT Scores:
1970–2250
Average ACT Scores:
30–33

Best Things

  • The close-knit community
  • The dining hall food and service people
  • The huge Outing Club program
  • The awesome housing available to students
  • More best things . . .

Worst Things

  • The administration seems very bureaucratic at times.
  • Being towed without warning
  • Brunswick doesn't stay up all night.
  • Twenty-five percent of the campus claims to be from Boston.
  • More worst things . . .

Most Popular Majors

  • Social Sciences & Liberal Arts
  • Languages and Literature
  • International Studies and Government
  • Political Science and Government
  • More majors . . .

Overall ExperienceWhat's This?

College is a place where people from many different backgrounds come together, so it would be impossible to meet every desire of every student, and it's doubtful that any university or college could achieve a perfect environment with no area for improvement. However, at Bowdoin, a strong majority of the students say they are glad they made the decision to come here. Even those who initially didn't feel comfortable at Bowdoin admit to eventually developing a strong fondness for the school. And even when certain administrative procedures or requirements don't seem to make sense, the discourse that develops from these issues only adds to the vibrancy of Bowdoin's ongoing intellectual conversations. Bowdoin represents a place for students to experience a new way of seeing and interpreting life—students here come to realize that attending college is not just about going to classes, participating in sports, and partying on weekends, but it’s about doing everything with passion, determination, and the ability to give back.

Many select Bowdoin as their first-choice school because of the intimacy between the administrators, faculty, coaches, alumni, and students. Plus, the resources available are remarkable. The picture Admissions presents to high school students is not accurate in all aspects because there is so much more to Bowdoin that cannot be portrayed in brochures and on websites, but when most first-year students finally experience Bowdoin up close and personal, their love for the school grows. Students here are subject to constant busyness and often stress, yet the rewards of applying themselves passionately to life at college make that stress a beneficial one. Being a Polar Bear is more than hating the Panthers or Mules—it’s about honoring the faculty and coaches, as well as the entire experience, the past, the future, and interactions you are sharing with your peers. The best things about going to college here is the confidence you will gain in yourself to do anything you dream and the knowledge and skills you need to achieve those dreams.

Bowdoin Student Reviews

Overall Experience at Bowdoin College

tlp13

Art History '13

4.6
A

An Amazing Place

I absolutely love Bowdoin. It's a fantastic place. The people really are friendly, the professors are smart and are really here to teach, the food is great, and the facilities are beautiful. Yes, the weather 'spring' semester sucks. But you get used to it and it makes for a lot of common ground amongst students. It's a really challenging place, academically, and if you can't find the balance of working hard and playing hard, you'll have a rough time. Most students, though, figure that out and are able to learn a lot, while having tons of fun

Dec 05, 2011

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Overall Experience at Bowdoin College

mac89

Sociology '11

5.0
A+

Bowdoin is the real deal

If I could go it all over again, I choose Bowdoin again in a heartbeat. There is zero hesitation. Bowdoin is probably the best decision I made in my life. Honestly, colleges all get boring at some point, you go through tough stuff in college, there are ups and downs and it will not always be partying and fun, but Bowdoin is an amazingly well run school. It is so apparent. The administration here will take care of you and take care of you well, and you can tell, by the dining, housing, facilities, all of it is extremely well taken care of and done in the best interests of the students. I never doubt that the school administration is on our side trying to do things in students' interests... from the housekeepers to the extremely friendly health center nurses to the registrar to the financial aid office to Dining service and professors-- they are honestly trying their best to help you out. All of the staff I have met have been so pleasant and competent and seem to enjoy their jobs.

The location cannot be beat as well. I love how it is in a good sized town, right in the downtown location. It's a cute little New England town, not much to do I admit, but it is super easy to get to Boston (or Portland or Freeport-great outlet stores there) by bus or shuttle or Amtrak. (I have been to Boston so many times my Boston friends often get confused as to if I live there actually.) It's the best. It's hard to find a college (one not in the city) that is in such a great location.. so many good colleges are in "rural" settings... that would not work for me.

I have met and made some amazing friends here as well. College has been good to me here, and I will always have immense pride to say I went to Bowdoin.. it is generally the case that people here have strong loyalty to Bowdoin, and I think that really says something about our school.

Nov 30, 2010

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Overall Experience at Bowdoin College

mac89

Sociology '11

5.0
A+

Bowdoin is the real deal

If I could go it all over again, I choose Bowdoin again in a heartbeat. There is zero hesitation. Bowdoin is probably the best decision I made in my life. Honestly, colleges all get boring at some point, you go through tough stuff in college, there are ups and downs and it will not always be partying and fun, but Bowdoin is an amazingly well run school. It is so apparent. The administration here will take care of you and take care of you well, and you can tell, by the dining, housing, facilities, all of it is extremely well taken care of and done in the best interests of the students. I never doubt that the school administration is on our side trying to do things in students' interests... from the housekeepers to the extremely friendly health center nurses to the registrar to the financial aid office to Dining service and professors-- they are honestly trying their best to help you out. All of the staff I have met have been so pleasant and competent and seem to enjoy their jobs.

The location cannot be beat as well. I love how it is in a good sized town, right in the downtown location. It's a cute little New England town, not much to do I admit, but it is super easy to get to Boston (or Portland or Freeport-great outlet stores there) by bus or shuttle or Amtrak. (I have been to Boston so many times my Boston friends often get confused as to if I live there actually.) It's the best. It's hard to find a college (one not in the city) that is in such a great location.. so many good colleges are in "rural" settings... that would not work for me.

I have met and made some amazing friends here as well. College has been good to me here, and I will always have immense pride to say I went to Bowdoin.. it is generally the case that people here have strong loyalty to Bowdoin, and I think that really says something about our school.

Nov 30, 2010

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Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

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