Bowdoin

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Ok...heres another one. Ready?</p>

<p>Past year has obviously been about college selection. However Bowdoin seems to be my favorite. I believe it is a very nice college. It is not to big...not to small. It is not that illustrious...but than it is not that unknown. It also host students who seem to be very enthusiastic about there future (unlike what I have read about other top tier schools). So I feel really confident about applying early decision there. Bowdoin is the only school I visited (I also visited Amherst...but briefly) Do you think this school is as good as I think it is? . I want to make sure I go to a school were my education and my future (Grad School) are first priority (and not prestige!)</p>

<p>So...heres me (well, as far as me on paper is concerned!)</p>

<p>High School: Lawrence Woodmere Academy (Woodmere NY, Class Size is 40)
Junior year 3.7 GPA
SAT 1 (not submitting) 1700
Most important classes of my Junior Year
(teachers who will give me great recomendations) </p>

<p>Political Science - Completed 1st in this class - awarded by Principal
Art - Won a $500 scholorship in Photography - One student a year
(award was made 30 years ago when tuition was cheaper!)
My photographs are now displayed throughout the school building - including the admission office.</p>

<p>Philosophy - Another Class Award/Acknoledgement</p>

<p>Clubs?
Class President Junior Year
School VP Senior Year</p>

<p>Computer Science
This "club" was mainly...just me. I was able to build many computers throughout the year to support our schools growing network. I was available on demand for teachers (and the schools computer administrator) in case of Hardware or Software failures (viruses and the occasional computer that was kicked to death by a pre-schooler! :-)
I must of put in...At least 40 hours, I never really keep track of this...I just "do it"
However, sometimes a teacher will call me to help them fix a problem with there home computer, I dont charge them...but they pay me anyways.</p>

<p>Extra Cirrricular?
I work/community service on a National Historic Vessel named Christeen. She is 140 years old now, and I help around with her annual maintenence and up keeping. She is of wooden construction. I also work aboard many other wooden boats in the area, restoring and refurbishing many of the components of the vessel. Hours? 200+ </p>

<p>In general I have spent all together....maybee 14 weeks of total on board experiance on sea going vessels(50ft, french built fiberglass sloops usually with 11-14 people on board). Once for 7 weeks at a time. I have visited many island in the carribean...Tahiti, Austrailia, Fiji and more. From sailing, I developed a strong interest in books, Non Fiction in particular. If you ask, I can give you the extended history of yacting. (I am a cruiser not a racer :-).
I still have a pretty strong taste in Non Fiction books</p>

<p>Bowdoin is one of the few schools in the Nation that has a sailing team</p>

<p>All in all, I have good relations with all my teachers from all my fields of studies, I trust that any of them would write me a great recomendation. </p>

<h2>I dont like mentioning it...I think some people exploit to an absurb level in there essays. I am a minority student, and I believe Bowdoin is looking for minority students.</h2>

<p>Well, this is all I can think of at the moment
(I am definitly going to try an interview)</p>

<p>I just hope that this school is the right fit for me. I prefere small schools were class discusions are prevelent and professors are approachable and friendly. </p>

<p>I know you get this "can I get in" thing alot but still,
Thank you</p>

2

<p>Hard to tell without your overall GPA, but I would say you have a decent shot. Have you visited Bowdoin?</p>

<p>By the way, my daughter volunteers/crews on a 130-year old tall ship berthed in Galveston. She doesn't mind the sanding and varnishing, hates the tarring and bleaching, loves climbing the masts.</p>

3

<p>Wow! we just put off the anual tarring b/c of the abnormal weather here in long Island. It has been extremly humid. However, taring is not as bad since Christeen hauls a 60 ft...I may be mistaken, without the gaff I think it is 40 foot mast. Some of my friends and Co Workers know Bowdoin solely on the fact that Bowdoin used to be a Artic research vessel. The owner named the vessel after his college!</p>

<p>What is an overall GPA? is that of all four years?
My end of year report card listed my GPA as off all the quaters. Than at the end of it, I think it said...overall 3.7 (we celebrated when we got it. Apparently there was a computer error...My card initially came back with a 3.2!)</p>

4

<p>Bowdoin is a great school, and also extremely selective despite the fact that it doesn't require SAT</p>

5

<p>I think that you'd have a decent shot if you applied ED. I don't know how advisable it is to apply to a college ED without visiting any others for comparison, but sometimes things just click I guess.</p>

6

<p>yes, I understand it is actually extremly un-advisable.
I have visited Georgetown, UMASS (staid there 3 weeks for classes) Amherst and University of Arizona (brother attends)</p>

<p>I went from failing in a large public middle school, to ending a year with honors in a small private high school. It is from this experience that I concluded what type of school envirorment suites me best.</p>

<p>Yes...I guess it did just "click" but then again, I believe it is the only really nice school that I actually have a shot at. Convincing my...more traditional parents (and family) has been the most diffucut task. They would rather me attend Georgetown, or Amherst. They dont understand how diffucult the SAT is for me, they dont understand that Bowdoin is a very nice, if not better school since it fits me more securely. I am letting them hire ANOTHER college advisor. I want them to hear another professionals advice. (last advisor they ridiculed...she recomended Bowdoin, Middlebury, Muhlenburg and other very nice colleges my parents never HEARD of)</p>

<p>Convincing my parents is becoming more diffucult than the actual admission process.</p>

<p>BTW
I am really grateful to recieve advice from everyone here.
Its nice to hear some positive support</p>

7

<p>Hey im applying here to.</p>

<p>I know how you feel about parents understanding leberal art college. Same problem with people, actually its worse im asian and want to major in english. </p>

<p>I say you probally have a good shot there ed, your stats are similiar to mine, i have slightly higher sat. But I think your ecs will help you pull though, just write a killer essay and show yourself as an individual. </p>

<p>So good luck</p>

8

<p>Hey!</p>

<p>I submitted my entire package!
- Art Supp
- Common APP
- ED Supp
- 2 Recomendations
- 2 Essays</p>

<p>and I have had my interview</p>

<p>I am really nervous! this is the only college I am considering. mostly due to scarcity of college sailing teams paired with great schools and reasonable acceptance (for me, that is). I believe for me that this college fits like a glove. I achieved a 3.4 GPA for my high school career (3.7 GPA junior year) I am very happy to show that I am considering Political Science as a major because I finished with the highest marks in that class/ as well as a recognition. I am also happy to display an upward trend with my grades (I am also satisfied that I am not submitting my senior grades, since I have had problems in the family, and my grades reflect that). I am taking my first AP Class this year, and I have recieved great marks. </p>

<p>My parents are Asian as well. My father is quite conservative. The only schools he knows are yale, princeton, harvard, etc. It was VERY diffucult explaining not only to my father, but my whole family my college decision. There was once a momment where I was faced with 7 family members in one room for an hour. I argued my case well, however that did not cut the deal. It was only until I decided that I should get in touch with my fathers friends - who also had children who went to college - and have they speak to my father. Many of my fathers friends have children who attend "Ivy League" schools. They spoke about Bowdoin very enthusiastically. </p>

<p>Instead of taking my approach of argument, by careful reasearch, I took my fathers more conservative approach. I looked for people who could, by word of mouth, proove to father that Bowdoin was a good school. Simply by saying "Its a good school". Much like how my father knows that Yale is a "good school", only because he has heard it from friends (reputation), instead of actually researching it himself. </p>

<p>I believe my father is now more confident in my decision. Other facts such as Bowdoins large amount of Alumni Doctors, helps my father believe in my choice. </p>

<p>Good luck IM!</p>

<p>BTW
Why is Bowdoin so selective? What is it about the vast majority (about 75%!) that they do not believe are a good fit for the school?</p>

<p>Are they looking for Individuals...whether you stand out academically, stand out socially, or stand out artistically?
Or do they actually have a strict grading policy! I hope not! I would like to attend a school of many different individuals! I would not like a school that is comprised entirely of academically gifted students. My research prooves that Bowdoin is looking for Individuals. This is a very important aspect of college for me!</p>

<p>Than you!</p>

9

<p>Bowdoin is really pushing hard to increase its minority enrollment, but Asians are not considered URMs.</p>

10

<p>it is under represented minority. Did you honestly visit Georgetown? You are an extreme longshot there.</p>

11

<p>No, not really. I was in Georgetown when I was 12, and we walked by the campus. I liked the aesthetics of the campus, so I set out to look for schools with that similar design. I was surprised that many schools look like so. If I had a chance to get into Georgetown, I would not apply. I do not like the school in terms of academics at all. Amhearst was another "while I was in town" type of deal. Bowdoin was really the only campus I visited consciencley. </p>

<p>I am only applying to Bowdoin, I have Allegheny, Colby, and Bates as "safetys"</p>

12

<p>hey, im doing ED to bowdoin too...does anyone know when we get our letters? another question, how much do sports help you to get in if you've been in contact with the coach, done an overnight and all?</p>

13

<p>Well, I know they mail em out on December 15th.</p>

<p>I do not know much about the athletic aspect of admissions. I heard from an admissions officer (from bowdoin) that it is not much more than a consideration</p>