<p>I’m thinking of transferring…trying to figure out if “the grass would be greener…” ya know. Cons to Bowdoin? lots of drinking? overemphasized athletics? lemme know! thanks so much.</p>
<p>what are your stats?</p>
<p>Are those cons to you? If you tell me what kind of college you like, I may be able to help describe Bowdoin. As far as drinking goes, yes, there is a lot of it, but plenty of people don't drink or don't drink very much. i think it's unfortunate when people cross Bowdoin off of their list just because of the drinking scene, because honestly, it isn't that hard to get around if you look. On the other hand, I think it does indicate that the social life at Bowdoin is pretty fun..I mean, I like it, but I've never attended another college, so I don't really have anything to compare it to.
As far as athletics are concerned, they're important, but I'm definitely not an athlete and I don't feel left out of anything. I would, however, say that people here tend to be very active--people run and hike and ski and play intramurals, and I think it's pretty rare to find somone who doesn't at least hit up the gym every once in a while.</p>
<p>I'm a first-year, and the only con that I have really found is that Maine often has some pretty sucky weather. And I feel kinda ripped off that it hasn't really snowed yet, but I expect that will change pretty soon.</p>
<p>oh yes Geniusriki - if you were outside tonight you experienced the 3 degree windchill temperatures... It does get cold here, sara!</p>
<p>But it's not that bad, everyone suffers through it together.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, no I'm not crossing it off my list for those things. I actually want a school that emphasizes athletics a little more than where I am now, I want a place with school spirit. I'm at an all womens school right now...ouch. And the drinking isnt a HUGe concern I just dont want that to be all there is I guess. I party at Amherst and its awful up there in terms of social scene and friendliness of the students.
I'm definitely applying to Bates as a transfer so I thought I'd consider Bowdoin as well...
If you want to procrastinate some more (dont we all?), ya'll could try to convince me as to why bowdoin is better than bates ;)</p>
<p>I've never actually been to bates, but i've head that lewiston is a pretty sketchy place. and if rankings influence your decision at all, bowdoin is always ranked higher. but other than that, i guess it's all really a matter of fit. personally, i love bowdoin; i really couldn't imagine being anywhere else. the campus is pretty, the dorms are nice, the food is good, brunswick is kinda cute and close enough to portland, the professors are great, and we have a pretty cool mascot. i don't really know how to describe why i like bowdoin, because, really, i dont have anything to compare it to.<br>
oh, and as far as the social scene goes, i've never found anything or anyone really unfriendly. it's actually nice, for freshmen in any case, that there are social houses. it makes it so that everyone in your dorm has at least one place to always go and hang out, and the campus wide parties that they have can be fun.</p>
<p>my roommate's brother goes to bates, and she liked bates almost as much as she liked bowdoin, but chose bowdoin because she decided it was a better school. hated colby though. anyways, bowdoin's a pretty cool place and i like it very much. if you have any specific questions, i can try to answer them</p>
<p>Sara306, If you haven't already, you might want to check out a recent thread on the Colby board comparing Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby to see people's impressions of the schools. Those are only perceptions, though, and 'your mileage may vary.' I think most folks who know these schools would say that they are ultimately more similar than different. </p>
<p>That said, there are different emphases, and my sense is that Colby, for instance, is committed to extending its already-strong international programs both on and off campus and continuing to make international students a real presence. That helps connect Waterville, which otherwise might feel a bit remote, to the world. Bates has egalitarian roots (Bates was coed from the start, African-Americans an early part of the mix, never had frats/sororites, all organizations wide open, etc.) and a tradition of service, and is committed to becoming a leader in service-learning and community partnership. That helps make opportunities out of what might otherwise seem to be drawbacks of Lewiston's socioeconomic status. Bowdoin has the advantage of its exceptional financial resources (compared with the other two, anyway), a long and distinguished history, many notable alumni, and a location in a postcard-pretty town on the coast. All three schools seem to draw bright, active, and committed students to where Maine can work its magic on them!</p>
<p>thanks all for the info!</p>