<p>I'm asking this question of parents who have sons/daughters who either attend or have visited Bowdoin or Amherst. Comparing the two colleges, which school do you believe to be the more "down-to earth friendly" school. I am a senior in high school and have visited both and quite frankly I love both schools. I plan to early decision at one of the two. Having a very friendly environment is really important to me. I would like to get the opinions of parents who are familiar with either or both schools. I appreciate any thoughts you could share with me. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Amherst, baby! </p>
<p>Signed, </p>
<p>Lord Jeff.</p>
<p>I have visited both and love both. Can't get much better in LAC land.</p>
<p>Observations on Bowdoin:</p>
<p>1) Lovely campus-no wonder people like to vacation there.</p>
<p>2) Very appealing environmental sciences program with excellent outdoor activities, which is what S was interested in at the time. (Artic studies and marine studies centers, reasonable breadth and depth of coursework in this area, etc..) Solid academics certainly.</p>
<p>3) BIG turnoff: A very preppy place-which is fine if you can fit in...not so fine if you don't. And the frats have been replaced by 'social houses' which function like frats in certain way. </p>
<p>An aside: We were waiting for his interview at the admissions office. Another guy was waiting too. My son leaned over and whispered to me, "Mom, Draco Malfoy is applying here too!!!" No kidding-the kid was a ringer except instead of robes, he was wearing the pop top polo, plaid shorts, loafers no socks, etc...</p>
<p>What curmudgeon said.</p>
<p>Have only heard good things about Bowdoin. </p>
<p>Have a son at Amherst, just a freshman, though, so FOB. So far he has certainly found it to be friendly. He's a small town, west coast guy and doesn't own a polo shirt, doesn't know what "pop top" means in relation to polo shirts (either do I really), would not be caught dead in grandpa shoes (loafers), always wears socks. Making lots of friends and having a swell time so far.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I appreciate your thoughts. Anyone else care to add anything?</p>
<p>Bowdoin is very open and friendly. Brunswick is a great town.</p>
<p>i never found bowdoin too preppy, and i'm hardly preppy. although if you're sensitive to that sort of thing, i suppose it might seem remarkable. in any case, i don't think the differences in prep levels of amherst and bowdoin are notable. </p>
<p>draco malfoy may be applying, but it's best not to assume he'll get in.</p>
<p>I don't have experience with Amherst -
S. is a current student at Bowdoin and loves it. He chose to live in a social house this year and the social houses are definately NOT frat houses. Each social house is partnered with a freshman dorm and provides social activities for the freshman . In the spirit of Bowdoin - all Freshman are welcome at any social house functions. </p>
<p>In addition to amazing academics, he has found the student body to be smart, athletic, studious, creative, humerous, helpful, and very friendly.</p>
<p>Although I am sure there are preppy students at Bowdoin, S. is not one of them. He had an office job this summer that required a collared shirt - he didn't own one!</p>
<p>haven't had the pleasure of seeing Amherst but our son was admitted to Bowdoin a few years back. We know no one in any US boarding schools and came from a bad public high school and felt completely welcomed. I thought Bowdoin was very refreshing, because the students seemed to have "self-selected" there as people with substance but less need for reassurance of their prestige. I didn't feel that many Bowdoin students were plagued with "I really wanted to be at Yale but this was the best I could do" either. On a simply atmospheric level, I opined that the great vast underpopulated land and forests further north and west in Maine and the big ocean not far off from little Brunswick lends a Proper Scale to big egos at Bowdoin. Students we met had perspective, and were straightforward and polite. Although a super prep in plaid shorts might have scared us a tiny bit, I also try not to stereotype those kids too too much either..after all he would not be in any majority at Bowdoin so he must be willing to try a new atmosphere. Who among us is really who we presented when we were 18 at age 25? College is all about change...tough call..two great colleges with loyal alum and great outcomes in grad schools and the work force.</p>
<p>I've known several grads from both schools. The Bowdoin kids seemed a little more laid-back. I say, 'seemed' because these were hot & accomplished students, nothing laid-back about their academics. </p>
<p>And of course, Amherst is world-class, with a bigger nationwide reputation. I have heard a couple of Ivy League students and professors say that overall, Amherst offers arguably the best undergraduate education in the US. It's like the Ivy League, but on a smaller (and friendlier) scale.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone who has replied. Your thoughts have been very helpful. </p>
<p>I should explain why I am interested in the "comfort" level at each school. I currently attend a high school that is as large as both Bowdoin and Amherst. While the student body is friendly, there is a definate distinction between social groups in our school. The jocks hang out with the jocks, theatre people in theatre groups and so on. There is very little cross over. I play sports and enjoy the kids in my group, but I also have friends in the academic groups, as well as some other groups. I am one of the few individuals who mixes into different groups. I was wondering if the students at both Bowdoin and Amherst were friendly, open, and inviting to the point where one would feel comfortable with everyone on campus.</p>
<p>Just dropped off my son at Bowdoin last week for his first year there. We're from a large, casual, diverse California high school, so pretty much the opposite of preppy. From the looks of the kids and interaction with their parents, the school seemed pretty much like anything goes. S did make two trips out there to make sure it was a good fit before applying ED. As parents, we loved the individuality of the students and parents. I'm not saying that prep schools aren't well represented, just that the kind of "prep" who chooses Bowdoin doesn't seem to be the type to identify himself as such. See Convocation</a> 2008 Welcome: President Barry Mills, Campus News (Bowdoin) President Mills's convocation speech to get a feel of what is stressed at the school.</p>
<p>If you want friendly and unpretentious, Bowdoin is it. We visited, considered and decided among many schools, and nowhere was as friendly and down-to-earth as Bowdoin. That said, Amherst is better known. You will get a wonderful education with diverse, engaged bright kids at both places. </p>
<p>Advantages to each:
Bowdoin has a great town, water/ outdoor activities, very friendly/ laid back
Amherst is better known, has an open curriculum and 5-college consortium</p>
<p>Go visit. If you decide for Amherst, remember that Bowdoin has ED2 so you could do Amherst EDI and, if that doesn't work out, do Bowdoin ED2. But, honestly, based on what you're looking for, I would say go for Bowdoin.</p>
<p>I appreciate everyone's comments. I did have an opportunity to visit both schools last month and enjoyed my visits. Because my visits took place during the summer, there weren't many students around, outside of admissions tour guides. I really do love both schools and know that I can't go wrong if I am accepted at either. Thanks!</p>