<p>Well, I visited Carleton and Bowdoin. I loved Bowdoin and I felt at home. I also visited Haverford, but it was too small. The big issue is that Carleton would cost about 9000 less per year…
Are Carleton and Bowdoin respected equally in the academic world? In the world of government?
I am a very traditional person, not extremely “preppy,” but definitely modest in dress and a bit conservative politically. I felt this was more normal at Bowdoin. I definitely felt the “quirky” atmosphere at Carleton and I am wondering how a non “quirky” person would fit in?</p>
<p>^It sounds like you really have your heart set on Bowdoin and have done the due diligence. That being said, are your parents in a position to pay the additional $9,000 a year or is the additional cost prohibitive? If the additional cost is not a factor, than go with your gut. You have clearly done your research and visited both schools so you can never be accused of making a rash decision. Congratulations on having 2 outstanding selections available to you.</p>
<p>I agree with BobbyCT. Both schools are great choices, well-known and respected in academia and government.</p>
<p>I think both schools are equally well regarded in academia. Both are in nice small towns, although Bowdoin has the advantage of being a 10 minute drive to the coast (if that appeals to you). Portland and Minneapolis are both about 45 minutes away, so no difference there except in terms of what these cities offer. The biggest difference (apart from the pros and cons of the quarter vs. the semester system) is one of culture: Bowdoin is decidedly preppier, and the social house system is a replacement for the old frat system. Make sure that fits for you.</p>
<p>It might help you to decide if you check the course catalogue at both schools to see what courses are offered and read the student newspapers to see what’s on the student bodies’ minds these days.</p>
<p>9K is too big a difference - i would choose carleton - same education 36K over 4 yrs cheaper.</p>
<p>I also have the option of a full ride to my state university, where I would not be happy but I would have lots of opportunities.</p>
<p>Mufasa – I had to laugh at your description of Bowdoin being 30 mins from a “big city.” Portland ME is not a big city. On the other hand, Minneapolis is a major city. I think you’re giving erroneous advice based on some perception you have of the Midwest being nothing but farms. In terms of access to “civilization,” there’s no question that Carleton wins.</p>
<p>Are your parents comfortable and supportive of you going to the college where you will feel happiest? If so, then pick Bowdoin. Don’t feel guilty about turning down a full-ride or saving some money, if you don’t have to do that. Feel fortunate, and pay your good fortune forward someday by using your education to do something good for someone else some day!</p>
<p>My parents are completely supportive of me going where I am happiest. They do not want me to have to repeat my years of social and academic loneliness in high school. I think I am going to Bowdoin…</p>
<p>What is your state U? You won’t feel lonely at Carleton it’s very supportive/social/open. I would say even a little less elitist in terms of the attitudes of some of the students than Bowdoin (not all of Bowdoin, but its does have that element a la Trinity)</p>
<p>sara12</p>
<p>You have two great choices and it appears that you strongly prefer Bowdoin, so you should choose Bowdoin (buy the way, I have a cousin there now who is having an amazing time, both academically and socially). </p>
<p>I agree with SDonCC–if your parents are supportive of your decision, then make your choice irrespective of any price differential.</p>
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<p>If your parents are supportive, then go wherever you feel you will fit in the best. If you feel the most “at home” at Bowdoin, and your parents will support you, then go to Bowdoin. “Normal students” at Carleton fare fine - they are definitely the majority of students. If you went to Accepted Students Days, the “quirky” thing was probably played up, to be honest. However, both are great schools and I have nothing but respect for Bowdoin. Go wherever you think you will belong.</p>
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<p>Several posters have already set the record straight on this anecdotally, but just to back them up with some hard facts: it is NOT the case that most Carleton students are Midwesterners. A lot of Minnesota kids and Chicago-area kids attend, but after that the largest sources of Carleton’s student body are the East and West Coasts and internationals. The latest figures I could find are for the Class of 2013, but the composition of that class looks like this, listed in rank order of representation in the class:</p>
<p>Minnesota 110
Illinois 52
International 52 (China 19, Korea 8, Singapore 5, Canada 5, Japan 4, India 4)
California 38
Massachusetts 29
New York 28
Washington State 28
Wisconsin 19
Colorado 15
Maryland 13
New Jersey 12
Texas 12
Pennsylvania 8
Oregon 8
Michigan 7
Missouri 7
Florida 6
Connecticut 6
DC 5
Vermont 5
Ohio 5</p>
<p>Nearby Midwestern states like North Dakota (2), South Dakota (4), Iowa (4), Nebraska (1), and Indiana (0) are actually underrepresented in Carleton’s student body. Altogether, Midwesterners comprise 40.6% of Carleton’s Class of 2013, making the Midwest the best-represented region, but leaving Midwesterners a definite minority on campus. Similarly, Bowdoin’s Class of 2013 was about 40% New Englanders. The difference, of course, is that New England is a much smaller region, with a 6-state total population of about 14.5 million. In contrast, the 12-state Midwest region has a combined population of approximately 67 million.</p>