I’m currently a senior deciding on an ED school, and my three contestants are listed. I would love some advice about which seems best for me, and how to go about choosing!
A little about me:
I have the GPA/course load/test scores/ECs to get into Carleton and Wellesley, but Bowdoin is definitely more of a reach.
(4.65W, 3.99UW, 35ACT, Great leadership and other strong ECs)
I currently do independent research, and I really want to continue it in college.
I would love to also participate in community service!
I’m also into political activism, but that’s less of a priority.
I’m relatively outdoorsy, and so having some access to nature is ideal!
Likes/Dislikes:
Carleton:
-environment/vibe (cookie house, people, general culture)
-campus is totally my style (outdoorsy and such)
-strong academics
-science program/research opportunities
-I’ve heard the food is bad?
-May lose opportunities that I’d have at W or B?
-Too hippie of a culture?
-Too supportive?
Bowdoin:
-rigor of academics
-Maine is beautiful!!!
-amazing opportunity/alumni network
-Emphasis on community service
-Strong research opportunities
-FOOD/DORMS
-Too sporty/may be a little preppy compared to Carleton
-Drinking culture?
-Competitive rather than collaborative?
Wellesley:
-Mother-ducking powerful, independent women are constantly coming out of this place!
-Campus is gorgeous!!!
-Emphasis on academics
-Such a strong alum network
-amazing opportunity
-Social life…
-Grade deflation and grad schools
-always politically correct?
-May not be as quirky as others
Any opinion or addition is so amazingly helpful, even if it’s that my reasons are stupid!
I think you know these schools very well. For Carleton I might add quarter system and course requirements to your list - Bowdoin and Wellesley have more flexible requirements. For Wellesley you might add the cross registration with MIT and other area schools if that interests you its very easy to do. It sounds like you like Bowdoin best and you are a strong candidate. Sometimes you need to take a risk - you have a good shot.
All great schools so you honestly will love which ever one you end up at.
I personally think you have an great chance at Bowdoin if you go ED and still a good change RD – but despite what the schools claim there’s definitely an edge with ED.
I have a son at Bowdoin now (who entered RD so he really looked closely at a bunch of LAC’s). He’s the opposite of elite, preppy or jocky and was a little worried about those things going in but says it has been a non-issue. There’s been no social stigma or pressure at all. And he’s also seen no academic competitiveness at all – far less than he experienced in high school. The strong majority drink (which is true at every college in America other than perhaps a few religious ones) but there’s no pressure too – the chem-free housing are some of the most popular housing options on campus. He found people with common interests from the activities and clubs he tried out pretty quickly.
The food at Carleton is good, if not very good. S1 and I were both impressed. I wouldn’t say that there is “too hippie” of a culture…more of culture that allows for all types, “hippie” being one of them.
@57special I’ve heard from a couple grads that Carleton professors were so helpful and supportive, and when they got to grad school, they weren’t as independent nor prepared for the structure of grad school.
