<p>collegeask, only your parents can answer the question about the importance of the money. To some families this is the critical determinant. To others it is not. You need to have a direct converstion with your parents about this if you haven’t already done so.
As I mentioned, I have a son at Bard. He is not artsy, creative or particularly hipster, but he still loves it there. He is very outspoken and loves a good debate. He loves his classes and professors, and his friends. He did not have a problem finding people that he likes at all.
If you have more questions about Bard or Bowdoin you can PM me.</p>
<p>You kids don’t realize, when you go out in the world you will get it, that this is such a huge amount of money, and how hard it is to attain it.</p>
<p>My opinion is if there’s a chance you can make Bard work you should really give it a try.
It’s a good school, and the money is just an enormous factor, to me.</p>
<p>But this is a point on which people may differ.</p>
<p>collegeask, if you could describe yourself, we could probably help you more! Have you visited both schools? My S may also choose Bard, and he sounds like Tuftsalum’s son, except that he is not at all hipster (assuming that “not particularly hipster” means maybe slightly hipster?). What you will not find at Bard, I don’t think, is anyone overtly preppy. I am pretty sure there are plenty of kids who are unassuming in their dress and down-to-earth in their approach to life at Bard. (not meaning to insult anyone, but I know that the concern / stereotype about Bard is that all the kids are “out there.”)</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that there are benefits to going to a school where everyone is NOT just like you are. At Bard my son has been exposed to art, music and film in a way that he might not have been at another school. I feel strongly that this has enriched his college experience.
I definitely would not say that all of the kids at Bard are “out there”. Some are and some aren’t. They seem to blend pretty well. I see Bard as a very accepting community. People like to do their own thing and speak their mind.</p>
<p>Tuftsalum12: I am not too familiar with the website, I sent you a message though, hope you get it – if not let me know. </p>
<p>Others: My parents have said they will give me the money to pay for Bowdoin – however, it is MY money now, and if I chose to go to Bard I can keep the difference. In addition, if I do well enough on my IB exams, I could potentially skip a year at Bard. I do like Bowdoin’s prestige, but really the only thing that worries me now is connecting with the student body. I like art, debating, history, business, english – and I want to be successful later in life. I am hard-working, an honors student and international. I have been both preppy and the opposite…I would say I am quite adaptable.
Any insight (decision day tomorrow!!!)?</p>
<p>Nobody can make this decision for you.
If it were me, if I thought there was a decent chance I could like it well enough there I would keep the money and try my very best to love it at Bard . But that’s me.</p>
<p>Whichever one you choose, if it ends up feeling wrong, you could apply for a transfer to the other for your sophomore year.</p>
<p>collegeask, I got your PM and responded. Let me know if it didn’t come through.</p>
<p>My son was also agonizing about the same thing, but for him it was between Whitman and Bard. He just late last night decided on Bard, even though he is more the Whitman type of kid. He doesn’t smoke, NOT a hipster, and loves outdoor activities, but so loved the extra creative aspect of Bard, and felt the academics was similar at both. he works very hard in school, and is excited about the academic challenge…Bowdoin and Bard are both great schools, you can’t go wrong. </p>
<p>you need to follow your heart, but boy it sure would be nice to graduate with the $100K in your pocket to buy a home or start a business with…</p>
<p>Tuftsalum: I have responded to you, but this website never saves the sent messages, I keep forgetting to tick that box. Once again, if it doesn’t get through, let me know. </p>
<p>I’m getting nervous, I have to decide by tomorrow. I told basically all my classmates that I’ve decided Bard – most people say I’ve made the right decision. My gut though, fees a bit down, I would be more proud to say I’m going to Bowdoin. Maybe it’s just the nerves.</p>
<p>If it weren’t for the money I would choose Bowdoin. I know 3 kids who went to Bard and 2 of them left for social reasons. The 3rd is an artist who does love it there. Bowdoin has a reassuringly high retention rate. But then again, that is a huge amount of money.</p>
<p>I forgot to add that being done with college in 3 years is not necessarily a good thing. Most kids I know at liberal art schools have a hard time leaving even in 4 years. College is a fantastic time in your life, and you shouldn’t feel as though you want to race through. It will go by fast enough.</p>
<p>I’d be proud to go to either. It isn’t like Bowdoin versus Cayuga County Community College(now the CCCers will slam me…)</p>
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<p>LOL, not exactly a broad statistical sampling of the student body over the course of X years!</p>
<p>OP, if you’d feel more proud to go to Bowdoin, and happier to go to Bowdoin, and if money isn’t an issue, go for it. It’s your money, you should spend it however your wish, and all these strangers on the internet have given you three pages of opinions, none of which matter as much as your opinion.</p>
<p>The overriding majority gave reasons for thinking it would be a waste of money to pick Bowdoin over Bard, and the overriding majority gave reasons for thinking you’d fit in just fine at Bard. But you have to make the final decision.</p>
<p>Make your final decision, and march forth.</p>