<p>So Bowdoin is one of the three schools that I’m strongly considering applying early decision to this fall. I absolutely love the school itself, but the only thing hindering my confidence in applying ED is the apparent lack of name recognition. I live on the west coast, where I would be surprised if 10 out of the 1000 students in my high school have heard of Bowdoin. I understand that in the right circles, Bowdoin is highly regarded and prestigious, especially to employers and grad schools. However, I must confess that prestige and name recognition with the public is shallowly important to me. </p>
<p>So I guess my question is, is Bowdoin more well known on the east coast/new england area, or is it scarcely heard of no matter where you are?</p>
<p>The other schools I’m considering for ED are Brown and Vassar. How does Bowdoin compare to these schools in the areas of classroom experience, student body, campus vibe, prestige, and med school/grad school acceptance?</p>
<p>Don’t feel bad. Name is important to me too. People may think we’re shallow, but in this superficial world, name is important. Now I know that Bowdoin is considered one of the top 5 LAC in the nation. I do believe in the right circles and to employers and grad schools, Bowdoin is looked at as prestigious. Name-wise, it isn’t as popular as the Ivies (obviously lol) and some schools on the west coast (i.e. the UC schools) but it is prestigious. </p>
<p>I got into Vassar as well and was choosing between Vassar and Bowdoin. I didn’t pick Bowdoin because it was ranked higher than Vassar, but when I applied last year I think Bowodin was ranked 4 and Vassar was 12 (according to the USNWR so take that with a grain of salt).</p>
<p>It’s a great school and those who matter know this in terms of graduate/professional school admissions. There are people who are also clueless about Williams, Swarthmore and Pomona (and some who don’t even know that Dartmouth is an ivy). Such people are frankly not knowledgeable about higher education and certainly incurious. I wonder what percentage of west coasters even know that Pomona is a top tier college…Brown is not academically in the same league as these top LAC’s in the eyes of peer institution deans etc., but it is better known to the masses, which makes it easier to break the ice at cocktail parties.</p>
<p>To answer the OP’s first question, yes, I suspect Bowdoin is more well known in the east coast/new england region but is known and respected in pockets all across the country. When S1 graduated this year I casually asked some of his housemates/friends what they were up to this next year…Off to grad school at M.I.T., Cal Tech, Dartmouth, Fullbright Fellowship…not bad!! Like many top LAC’s, it provides an excellent experience both in and outside the classroom. Good luck and here’s to enjoying whatever campus and opportunities to which you migrate.</p>
<p>I respect that you factor in prestige even when you acknowledge it’s shallow. you have to make the choice that will make you the most comfortable. williams, amherst, swarthmore, pomona, middlebury, bowdoin, wesleyan, haverford etc, though intense academically and quite, quite difficult to get into- as well as superb for grad school admission if you do well- will more often than not elicit a blank stare when you tell people you go/went there. </p>
<p>i dont know if a northwestern, vanderbilt, usc, or ucla would serve you better in the long run or in the short run in spite of the cache of their sweatshirts though.</p>
<p>an interesting choice no doubt. best of luck</p>
<p>Bowdoin is very highly regarded among those that matter. Around the world, most people only know Oxford, Caimbridge and Harvard. If you can get into Bowdoin, go to Bowdoin.</p>
<p>As is true of all LACs, it’s probably not worth attending if you want to impress EVERYONE. I’ve actually been surprised how many people around the East Coast are familiar with Bowdoin, but again, it’s not going to impress every average Joe.</p>
<p>Referring to the OP, Bowdoin probably has approximately the same name recognition as Vassar. Brown would definitely have more recognition in California.</p>
<p>Lots of kids at my high school (even those who wouldn’t even be able to consider Bowdoin as a high reach) know about it, but that’s probably because we are nearby another NESCAC LAC.</p>
<p>Name recognition isn’t about knowing the school’s name; it’s about knowing that a good school is good.</p>