<p>I can't decide between Bowdoin or Bard College. Bard gave me a large scholarship, Bowdoin did not. I don't have to pay for my year abroad at either. What do I do and why? I am worried about social life/having fun. Help!</p>
<p>How large is large? Give the COA for each school.
Sounds like a tough decision…</p>
<p>Go to Bard. If you have more money, you’ll have more fun.</p>
<p>The schools are similar in terms of academic rigor, size and type of setting (i.e. both are rural). Both have small classes, a huge selection of courses, and you’d receive lots of individual attention at both. Both have diverse student bodies, although I believe it’s possible that Bard taps into the international pool a bit more…I could be wrong, though.</p>
<p>If you enjoy hiking and outdoor activities, you will enjoy both schools. Bard is probably a bit more “artsy”, and Bowdoin is probably a bit more “traditional”. Bard does not have frats; not sure about Bowdoin.</p>
<p>You really can’t go wrong with either, so I’d have to agree with Hunt. To paraphrase the Six Flags guy, “more money, more fun.”</p>
<p>Congratulations. ;)</p>
<p>Have a look at the English & Literature column at [PHD</a> PRODUCTIVITY](<a href=“http://web.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]PHD”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College) and consider if this is important to you.</p>
<p>Another fact about Bowdoin is that it (I’m pretty sure) has better alumni and is more well connected, at least in comparison to Bard. Is this a factor I should consider? Will my undergraduate degree really make a difference in the big picture? Does anyone have experience in the liberal arts colleges, did you like it? Thanks for all the responses so far, keep me posted, I have to make a decision by Friday.</p>
<p>Greennblue: the scholarship is 23,000 a year.</p>
<p>Do Bowdoin and Bard get many cross-applicants?
Do their student bodies much resemble each other, in attitudes and inclinations?
Because I wouldn’t have thought so.</p>
<p>I would have thought someone who really is cut out for Bard may not hit it off socially nearly so perfectly at Bowdoin. And vica versa.</p>
<p>I think of Bard as more in the Oberlin- Vassar-Wesleyan orbit. With a higher proportion of artistic/ creative/ less conventional types, and a far smaller proportion of future investment bankers and corporate lawyers than would be attracted to Bowdoin.</p>
<p>But what do I know.</p>
<p>If you think you can thrive at Bard, go there, that’s a lot of money.</p>
<p>I have a son who is currently a junior at Bard and a daughter who will be matriculating at Bowdoin this fall. Both are excellent small LACs. My son has been very happy at Bard, and we have been impressed with the quality of the academics there. With that said, I’ll try to elucidate some of the differences between the two:</p>
<p>Bard definitely has more of a hipster feel to it.
I think that Bard is probably stronger in the fine arts.
Bowdoin is probably stronger in the sciences.
Bowdoin definitely has a student body that cares more about athletics.
Neither has a Greek scene.
Food at Bowdoin is definitely better, by a lot.
I think the campuses do have a different feel to them.
Have you had a chance to visit? I would suggest sitting in on some classes, if possible.
Good luck with your decision, and congrats! You can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>Both are “in the middle of nowhere”, but I’m ok with that. Bard is 2 hrs from NYC (where I live), Bowdoin is 7hrs from NYC (car), but 2 hrs from Boston. I wouldn’t mind being closer to home, I’m not one of those “get-as-far-away-as-I-can” types. I visited both schools, Bowdoin does indeed have much better food. That being said, this weekend the weather at Bowdoin was AWFUL, while the sun was shining and the campus at Bard was just beautiful. I know the weather changes, and it will be cold at Bard in the winter, but at least summer comes sooner than it does in Maine. How important is a school’s reputation? I feel Bowdoin has a better reputation, but I don’t think Bard is considered a “bad” school, and I have heard from people who know colleges well that both are academically rigorous. Any insight or comment is greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Bard is a GREAT school (both the NY and the MA Bard’s) I would go to Bard easily, esp for the money factor. Bowdoin is great but its not worth paying over Bard for no way.</p>
<p>Agree with monydad</p>
<p>Did you visit? Which did you like better? Where’s the fit? Personally, FWIW, I would choose Bowdoin in a heartbeat. I think of Bowdoin as one of a handful of the very best LACs (or university, for that matter) in the world. </p>
<p>Post #8 noted that Bard has more of a hipster feel, and I think that’s right.</p>
<p>“Bowdoin as one of a handful of the very best LACs”</p>
<p>Yes, but the issue is always best for whom? Bard certainly impresses in English Literature.</p>
<p>Did your son know he would fit in at Bard right away? Is he “hipster”? I am a little concerned I won’t fit in at Bard.</p>
<p>What attracted you to Bard in the first place? Or Bowdoin? Why did you apply to them? And I haven’t read previous posts by you - what do you think you’ll want to focus on for studies?</p>
<p>Do you mean going to Bowdoin would cost you or your parents almost $100,000 extra?
Not worth it.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is more Yang? Bard is more Yin?
I’d go where there are less “hipsters” they are so cliche.</p>
<p>Bard is not just for hipsters! It does attract a lot of creative kids. OP should post this on the Bard and Bowdoin forums as well.</p>
<p>I think for the price, Bowdoin is not that much better.
You can get where you want to go either place,</p>
<p>Yes my parents would have to pay $100,000 more. When I think about all the flexibility Bard is offering me, for example also that they give me credits for IB courses, then I feel like Bard is the right place. But all of that aside, I would prefer Bowdoin: what to do? I think Bowdoin has more people like me, but I could probably find people I like at Bard too, right?</p>