<p>I'm trying to choose a school to which to apply for ED2. I was rejected (just flat out rejected, which was concerning to me) from Swarthmore ED1 and my choice has come down to these two schools.</p>
<p>I think I'm a better "fit" at Carleton, though it has occurred to me that the location of Bowdoin (Northeast LAC) might be a benefit to the school. From what I've seen, the two schools are just about equal in terms of academic rigor. I will probably be majoring in the social sciences, if that is of any importance. I'm generally undecided, though.</p>
<p>Is one school decidedly better in terms of post-graduate jobs and grad school placement? I've seen the statistic about Carleton students getting PhDs, but that could just show a more pre-professional bent at Bowdoin. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for the insight.</p>
<p>PS - I'm at the 75th percentile for the SAT averages at both schools, but I think I have a better chance at Carleton because it seems like Bowdoin doesn't care much about SAT scores. Just an observation; I might be totally wrong.</p>
<p>If you have not visited both of these two, you cannot be applying ED2 to either one. Being in Maine is a terrific benefit? </p>
<p>“I think I have a better chance at Carleton because it seems like Bowdoin doesn’t care much about SAT”</p>
<p>This is not any reason for choosing one over the other. Are you just trying to game the system or do what’s in your best interest?</p>
<p>As you loved Swarthmore, Reed in Portland, Oregon is the next closest thing according to most people followed by Carleton. Bowdoin and all of the NESAC college are more preppy and jock.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is test-optional. They will use scores in the evaluation if you send them.
I think you should examine section C of the Common Data Set for each school to see which one you are more likely to get into.
On the other hand, since it is binding, you should apply to the one you like to most. If I were you, I would apply RD to see where I got in. You don’t seem committed to either one.</p>
<p>Yeah, I might do RD and see if the decision is made for me based on where I get in (maybe I’ll get into one and not the other). Of course, it also occurs to me that perhaps if I do early decision, I’d be increasing my chances at one of the two, which would be beneficial if I could figure out which one I like better.</p>
<p>I just had that one question to consider, beyond my own personal fit at these schools: Is one school decidedly better in terms of post-graduate jobs and grad school placement?</p>
<p>I think both would be equally strong for grad school placement. Both schools are very well respected academically. For jobs, location may be a factor, since Bowdoin will be better known in the northeast, and Carleton in the Midwest. </p>
<p>You haven’t said anything about money. Is financial aid an issue? A few years ago, my son received a much better FA offer from Carleton than from Bowdoin.</p>
<p>My son’s friend was rejected from Swarthmore some years ago for ED and then rejected from Bowdoin for ED2. He ended up at Pitzer. He was also an collegiate athlete with a proflie within the midrange of the two schools that rejected him but in the lower end of it.</p>
<p>It varies a lot whether ED gives you a true advantage in admissions. Some schools take the same percentage at ED and RD. In some cases a higher percentage at ED is due to the higher proportion of hooked applicants - legacy, recruited athletes etc. that are urged to apply ED. I don’t know what the case is for the schools you are considering.</p>
<p>I think ED is a bad idea unless you are totally sure it is your number 1. If I didn’t love a school head and shoulders above the rest I would want to compare ALL of my options from the RD round. Especially if FA or merit aid is involved!</p>