Bowdoin vs. Wesleyan (and a few others)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm deciding on which college to go to right now, and I'm basically picking between Wesleyan and Bowdoin, though I got into Wash U and Vanderbilt which might be enticing.</p>

<p>I don't have an idea as to what my major would be, so that isn't playing a role. Essentially, and I know this is a difficult question, but I want to know which school is "better". Also, if you think I should go somewhere other than Bowdoin or Wesleyan, here's the complete list of my acceptances:</p>

<p>Bowdoin
Wesleyan
Wash U
Vanderbilt
Carelton
BC Honors Program
Hamilton
Colgate
Bates
Lafayette</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Congratulations, that’s an awesome list! You could pick any of them out of a hat and have an excellent choice.</p>

3

<p>Here is the order I would chooose:</p>

<p>Bowdoin
Carleton
Wes
Colgate
Vanderbilt
Wash U
the others</p>

4

<p>I would go with Wesleyan. I simply love that school.</p>

5

<p>Why have you narrowed down that list of acceptances to those two schools (this will help give us an idea of what’s most important to you)? What’s the situation financially?</p>

6

<p>I got essentially the same financial package from all of those schools. And the reason I narrowed it down to wesleyan or bowdoin is because I think (but am not positive) that I would enjoy a smaller college as opposed to a slightly larger one like wash u or vanderbilt.</p>

7

<p>From that list, I personally would choose Wesleyan or Carleton, for the small LAC feel and the notably liberal, intellectual, passionate student bodies. Both regarded among the top LACs in the country, too. (I’m starting at Wes in the fall, but Carleton was always high on my list as well. Maybe I’ll see you next year?)</p>

<p>They’re definitely a far cry from Vanderbilt or Wash U, though. You have a ton of variety to choose from!</p>

8

<p>I would probably go Bowdoin or Colgate out of that list. I think Bowdoin is probably nominally the “best” school out of those but it would be too small for me. Colgate and Wesleyan are both a better size to me.</p>

9

<p>Is there any way you can visit a few of the smaller schools? I’d say you can narrow it down to Wes, Carleton, Bowdoin, and Bates (at least, that’s what I’d do, though if you really like Hamilton or Colgate I’d put them on the list as well) and visit as many as you can. You’ll get a very different feel from, say, Colgate, than you will from Wes.</p>

10

<p>Have you visited any of these schools (or others)? Tell us what you think, what you like, etc. so that we can provde helpful guidance between some of the very different schools on the list.</p>