<p>My last D is trying to decide where to submit her early app. She did overnight programs at Swarthmore and Bowdoin and loved them both, could see herself at either college, and is having a terrible time deciding between them. I know they have such different reputations and different student cultures, but her experience being on campus over multiple days was that she feels equally at home and sees value in both colleges. She needs to choose carefully, in my opinion, because she will probably get in wherever she applies. Her academic strengths and interests are in foreign languages, creative writing, and international studies, with a specific interest in language revitalization particularly indigenous NA languages. I’m sure both schools are strong in most departments but would there be anything to recommend one of these two colleges over the other in terms of these fields of study?</p>
<p>Personally I think she might be better served by Yale or Brown (also on her college list) for in depth language study and related resources but she is absolutely committed to the LAC experience, and loves these particular colleges so any experience or knowledge of the above mentioned departments at Swat or Bowdoin would be so helpful.</p>
<p>Since your daughter’s areas of focus range to the esoteric, I think she would benefit more than most from Swarthmore’s consortium. Between her home at Swarthmore and select courses at Bryn Mawr, Haverford or Penn, she could have a very interesting and rewarding college experience. </p>
<p>@CHD2013, she is just your average high achieving student with some special goodies and some areas of deeper investigation. But she had the advantage of attending the diversity fly-in programs at both Bowdoin and Swat. The colleges tell them that their admission, while not guaranteed, is a pretty sure thing based on the fly-in attendance. They use the same admissions criteria for Disco Swat and Explore Bowdoin and regular admissions. The kids have interviews, dinner with professors and are on campus for 3 days; they have to really do something pretty wonky while there to throw shade on their admissions chances. I think DiscoSwat this year was more selective than their regular cycle - less than 10%.</p>
<p>^ we missed Explore Bowdoin this year due to illness but it has been an extraordinary program and opportunity for my kids in the past. I feel for you when there is an abundance of great options and it feels so important to make the ‘right’ choice. No matter how much time spent on campus or how much research or input, it seems as though there must be a key to unlock that right answer. </p>
<p>The truth is there are a bunch of different options with different outcomes, and they will all/both be good – and different! It’s very hard when an indecisive student wants an early decision but is not equipped to even choose the school - we’ve been there in our family. It really does seem that an EA choice would be better for you, if you can steer your D in that direction. </p>
<p>If there is a wrong choice, I would think it would come from your daughter’s regret of having made the wrong choice, not the wrong choice per se. Since your daughter seems invulnerable in this regard, then, for her, there can be no wrong choice.</p>
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