<p>So early decision time is rolling around soon, or at least I need to start thinking about where I would like to apply. I know I have a fairly good chance at either of these schools, I just want to decide where to apply. Each school has its advantages and disadvantages for me. Bowdoin is a very outdoorsy place, which is great for me, and there are several outing trips per week, where at Amherst, outdoor outing clubs aren’t very big. The location of Bowdoin is pretty cool, because Brunswick is a cool town, and Portland and Freeport are soooo close that visiting them is easy and convenient. After the train is built in Bowdoin, which should happen some time in November, it will be about a 90 minute train ride to Boston, which is the same amount of time it would take to drive to Boston from Amherst, meaning that Bowdoin isn’t any more isolated than Amherst. In addition, I love Maine, I don’t care about the cold. Bowdoin also has an awesome marine research center on its own island, which is something I’m very interested in. Amherst, on the other hand, is the best of the best for academics and is just a bit above Bowdoin, even though the gap isn’t terribly large. Amherst also has a slightly better party scene I feel, because there are no dorm RAs, and there’s UMass Amherst right down the street, which is where you’d go for parties. If any students of either of these schools would like to comment or help me out a bit, that’d be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>S just graduated from Bowdoin. All of your impressions of Bowdoin are correct. Students are very bright, cooperative, outdoorsy. The weather is NOT that cold since Bowdoin is on the coast. Freeport is 15 minutes away. Portand is fantastic and is an easy 30 minute drive. The food at Bowdoin is absolutely amazing. It truly deserves its number one rating from the Princeton Review. You ought to read student reviews of Amherst food - very different, I’m afraid.</p>
<p>I am a Bowdoin student and I agree with the majority of points made in your post, but I would like to comment on the party scene. Amherst does have UMass Amherst nearby, which is cool, as Bowdoin’s party scene is often strictly on campus or near off-campus. There are proctors/RAs at Bowdoin, but don’t let that throw you off, the party scene here is amazing. I wouldn’t have the minute difference in party scene affect your decision at all.</p>