<p>I’m trying to decide between Bowdoin and Tufts (yeah, huge difference, I know), so I have some questions about the college. </p>
<p>Kind of obvious, but are students generally happy there?</p>
<p>How is the music program? I play clarinet and I’d like to continue playing.</p>
<p>Do a lot of people ski? How far away is decent skiiing? I ski, but the skiing in Maryland is kind of awful and I’m hoping I can go more if I go to Bowdoin</p>
<p>Just how bad are the winters? Like, unbearable to be outside? Or nice enough to enjoy?</p>
<p>Do most people have cars? I’m a horrible driver, and with the amount of tickets I’ve gotten lately, I don’t think my parents are going to be willing to pay the insurance anymore…so are cars necessary?</p>
<p>What’s the social scene like? Is it completely centered around drinking? Not that that’s a bad thing, I’m just curious to how it all works.</p>
<p>AND LAST! I know the school is tiny, so is it clique-ish? My graduating class has 22 people in it, so it can’t be worse than high school, but I’m just curious to how it all works.</p>
<p>I’m going to be up there on the 22nd I think, but I’d just like some basic info before I go. Thanks!</p>
<p>Happinness> Bowdoin scores well with quality of life. No one seems really stressed or unhappy, we have a grand old time.</p>
<p>Music>I'm not really qualififed here</p>
<p>Ski> Yes, I know some people who go every weekend</p>
<p>Winters> Everyone goes through it together, it's deal-withable.</p>
<p>Cars> no, not at all. few freshmen have cars.</p>
<p>Social>there is a lot of drinking, but there are also other alternatives.</p>
<p>Clique> There are cliques, but I don't think its overriding. Largely there are big groups of people who can all mesh and intermingle and have a good time.</p>
<p>as to music: i'd love to promote bowdoin without any negativity whatsoever, but you're not going to find a lot, musically. their vocal groups, while not amazing, are certainly far better than the instrumental ones. if you are a music major (and even if you're not, but i am pretty sure that it's a lot more difficult), you can arrange for private lessons, which is something - but most of the ensembles are not very good, and your playing probably will not advance much.</p>
<p>freeeport has tons of outlets if shopping is your thing. Brunswick's main street is a 5 minute walk to grocery stores etc. I've been to freeport a handful of times and brunswick maybe 30 times? They aren't really night life type places from what I've seen.</p>
<p>Some people visit Portland to shop, but not many people I know.</p>