<p>How would you compare Bowdoin and Tufts especially in the Government/ pre law area? I know these two schools are very different as far as location and size but wondered what people thought about other differences. Thanks</p>
<p>I actually chose between Bowdoin and Tufts last year. Initially, I was leaning towards Tufts--I liked that it was a little bit bigger and it was near the city, but when I visited both schools, I ended up liking Bowdoin a lot better. I don't know very much about those specific departments really, but academically, both of the schools are top notch. The differences are really in other areas. Tufts, to me, still felt small, but Bowdoin felt a bit more like a community than Tufts did. I also really liked that Bowdoin doesn't have frats and sororities. Bowdoin seems more outdoorsy, which makes sense--it is very much a "Maine school" while Tufts is more urban/suburban. You really need to visit and I think it'll become pretty clear what you're looking for. Both really nice schools though.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Another trip to both schools will hopefully resolve the conflict. I still have to find out more information as to which school has the better political science/ government/ prelaw program. The Tufts campus didn't inspire me but I really don't remember all of the details of the Bowdoin campus. I generally liked it but was concerned about the dorm room they showed us in August. Three beds in the same room and the room was still quite dirty. Hopefully this has been resolved! I am excited about going this weekend.</p>
<p>Housing at Bowdoin is actually really nice. The room was dirty just because the kids were, haha. And freshman rooms are triples, but there are 2 rooms--1 bedroom and 1 common room, so it's a lot better than at a lot of other schools. I actually lucked out (as did a lot of people this year) and got a double so I have 2 rooms but only one roommate. Sweet deal. There is supposed to be a housing crunch next year, but it won't affect the first-year dorms--there are still 6 of them, so the class of 2010 will either be in triples, or if they get assigned Appleton or Hyde, 3-room quads. The housing crunch is really going to be worst on the sophomores who get the worst housing lottery numbers. boohoohooo :(</p>
<p>The room I saw should have been cleaned by mid August. Also the couch should have been thrown out IMHO. I really don't like a triple with three in a small bedroom. Yes there was another room with desks and a couch but stiil small. I guess that is college life!!! If the couch is gross in the room when we move into it are we allowed to replace it? I loved the Bowdoin campus but the image of the dorm stayed with me.</p>
<p>I visited in August and saw a freshman triple (most freshman dorms are triple, if not all). It was neat and clean. Put a decorative sheet over the couch and move on!</p>
<p>The couches are really not bad at all. I slept on one for two weeks when I came back early. The general cleanliness of the room is the students' responsibility, not the college's. For example, if you were to visit our room currently, it would probably leave just as bad (if not worse) impression.</p>
<p>honestly, SP135, you're really nitpicking here. despite the current housing crunch, the housing situation at bowdoin is great - far better than at any other college i looked at (including bryn mawr, which is known for great housing). dorm life DOES require some sacrifices as far as space and privacy go, regardless of what school you attend - bowdoin actually provides something of a luxury with its two-room set-up. imagine trying to sleep while your roommate is up studying all night in a one-room double! it wouldn't be much fun...</p>
<p>as to the messy room you saw, its cleanliness is its inhabitants' responsibility - so you had the unfortunate non-pleasure of seeing a room inhabited by messier students. if you're going to rule out a college based on one dorm room's condition, it may not end well for you... and if a mess bugs you this much, you may have roommate troubles wherever you end up.</p>
<p>best of luck to you in your decision, but i think you're placing too much importance on the condition of a single room that you saw, especially in light of the testimony from various current students at bowdoin (all of whom seem quite happy with their housing).</p>
<p>ps - no, you can't replace a couch (unless you want to be charged...), but you could just move it out of the room and bring in your own furniture, if you really wanted to spend money and effort on that... cat076's suggestion is a far better one, though. most college dorm rooms' couches (regardless of where you go to school...) have had things on them that you don't even want to imagine - cover yours with something and be done with it.</p>
<p>Speaking of housing at Bowdoin... We visited recently with DD and understand that housing is not guaranteed for junior and seniors. Can anyone confirm this? Is it also the case that, perhaps as a result, only 90 percent of students live on campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>That is confirmed, but I don't know of anyone who has been denied housing. Some kids choose to live off campus for a variety of reasons.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>you can have a house on the water</p></li>
<li><p>you can skirt the 'no hard alcohol on campus' policy (not that I know anyone who had this be the reason for them to live off campus)</p></li>
<li><p>some sports teams have a traditional house which they rent and pass down.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>That's actually why there's a housing crunch. Housing isn't guaranteed, but no one is denied and now, more and more seniors are choosing to live on campus and that is actually good for the campus community (having everyone live together awwww). Sooo, because so many seniors want to live on campus, they're trying to squeeze everyone into on campus housing--it's still working--no one is denied housing and there really aren't very many people that choose to live off campus. I think 90 something percent of students live on campus. But housing really isn't a problem at Bowdoin--it's here, everyone likes it (that's why even the seniors want to live on campus) and it might be a little tight next year but once all the first year dorms are renovated everything should be cool again.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies especially Geniusriki. I think people don't really understand my question. I wasn't talking about a room with students in it but a room in mid August that was dirty. Doesn't Bowdoin clean the rooms at the end of the year? I'm just surprised they chose to show this room. It was the only room in that condition when we did the college tours during the summer. Maybe just a slip up by the tour guide but I think it is a fair question to ask. Happy to hear someone else was shown a clean room. I have been to dorm rooms at other colleges when students were in the room so I know what that is like and have seen different room setups. I certainly said nothing about Bowdoin being ruled out based on the room conditon LOL! Actually this thread was really asking for a comparision between two college government programs and the room comments were incidental but I appreciate the room information anyway. Hopefully the couch will be OK but it is nice to know you can move it out and bring in a new one if needed. Maybe a couch cover will do. Can't wait to see Bowdoin again next week!</p>
<p>Anyone with information about the two schools government program? Thanks again!</p>
<p>I don't know about Tufts, but I know that Bowdoin has a strong gov/legal studies program. It was ranked the best LAC for gov a couple of years ago, and is usually very close to the top of the LAC pile in that ranking. It also has a very high law school admittance rate (one of the best in the country).</p>
<p>There is no "pre-law" at Bowdoin. Instead, you become a government major, then you must pick one of four concentrations (IR, American, comparative, and political thought). There are plenty of legal studies classes to take though, most of which fall under the aegis of American gov or political thought. The prof who teaches the Constitutional Law classes is my advisor, and he is the epitome of awesome.</p>