Bowdoin supplement??

College Essays
1

<p>I am applying to Bowdoin and looked at its supplement and have no clue what it is.<br>
It says:</p>

<p>In an effort to understand your interests and aspirations for college, we ask you to select one of the three topics below and provide a response of up to 250 words. Please include your name and birth date at the top of the page.</p>

<p>Bowdoin students and alumni often cite world-class faculty and opportunities for intellectual engagement, the College’s commitment to the Common Good, and the special quality of life on the coast of Maine as important aspects of the Bowdoin experience.
Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please comment on one of the following:
1. Intellectual engagement
2. The Common Good
3. Connection to place</p>

<p>What does this mean??</p>

2

<p>Well, think about it. These three are important aspects of the Bowdoin experience, or so the Bowdoin admissions office apparently believes.</p>

<p>If you think Bowdoin is the right place for you, you should be able to relate to at least one of these prompts.</p>

3

<p>Well for intellectual engagement, could I write about why I want to go to Bowdoin academically (like because of its strong environmental program)?
What does the Common Good mean?
and for connection to place, could I write about how Maine/Bowdoin attracts me and why I would want to go to school there?</p>

<p>(I know I only have to write one of these I’m just trying to figure out every topic)</p>

4

<p>Ok, no.</p>

<ol>
<li>I suspect that you are expected to explain how your interests extend <em>beyond</em> the curriculum. What are you passionate about? What do you want to learn more about and <em>why</em> do you want to learn anything at all? What is the root of curiosity? What is intelligence? Is curiosity a form of self-preservation, or do curious people invite trouble? Is disagreement more productive than agreement? Et cetera.</li>
</ol>

<p>If Bowdoin wanted you to write about the specific program you’re attracted to, they’d have asked you just that. ‘Intellectual engagement’ is a more abstract topic.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The Common Good refers to, I assume, Bowdoin’s efforts to support the local community in particular; however, the prompt doesn’t seem to invite boasting or sucking up. What is your definition of goodness? Can a small act of goodness impact many people? Is it more important to be happy while others suffer, or to do good at all costs? Should the needs of the few always be outweighed by the needs of the many? Is there ever a ‘lesser evil’? Google ‘common good’. It’s your job to become acquainted with the term.</p></li>
<li><p>You don’t have a connection to Maine yet. Therefore I’d advise against it.</p></li>
</ol>

5

<p>Ah that makes so much more sense. Thank you!</p>