Chances of getting into Bowdoin ED?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bowdoin College
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<p>I really love Bowdoin, and I feel as though it is a perfect fit for me. It’s a school very much like my own, in which they emphasize small community and the common good. I have very much caught my stride at a small school like this, and I feel like I can flourish at a school like Bowdoin. I would appreciate some comments on this, because I am seriously considering to apply ED. I would like to know if it is worth apply ED at all. </p>

<p>Freshman GPA: 2.8 (rough, rough year)
Sophomore GPA: 3.7 uw, 3.8 w (took bio honors)
Junior GPA: 3.81 uw, 4.41 w Honors (Chemistry, Modern U.S. History, Lit Genre & Style, Spanish 4)
I took all honors courses last year, with the exception of pre-calc. My school doesn’t offer AP’s.
I am taking all honors courses again this year (Stats, Adv. Bio, Human Rights, Contemporary Lit, Spanish Culture).
I’m dedicated (really I am) to getting all A’s again this year.
School doesn’t have rankings.
I would like to pursue a major in Neuroscience.
Elective Class: Advanced Topics in Science (Research Class)
Right now I am doing a research project on Exponential Memory Decay. I am taking two sample groups and using stats to find the rate of memory decay, as well as finding out if the brain is more adept to remembering textual information or pictorial information. Working on getting this study published.
ACT Score: 28 (32 reading, 28 science, 27 math, 22 english, 9/12 writing)
Working ALOT on my own to get that english score up. Working with a tutor once a week as well, goal is to get a 31.</p>

<p>EC’s:
Worked at UCLA Longevity Center for 85 hours this past summer. UCLA Longevity center deals with geriatric psychiatry and finding ways to delay Alzheimer’s/dementia as well as other aging ailments. </p>

<p>Worked Homeless Service Center
At the Homeless Service Center I logged in homeless peoples information, communicated with homeless people and passed out information. 45 hours</p>

<p>Westside Children Center:
Worked with underprivileged students as a teacher’s aide
Provided service for 15 weeks for 3 hours at a time
45 hours</p>

<p>Also volunteered at my school during the summer and worked for 55 hours as an aid to teachers</p>

<p>Interned at Ameriprise Financial advisers for 55 hours and learned about the stock market, and professionalism. </p>

<p>Mentoring 11th grade year:
Peer Mentor for 7th grade student
Student Mentor for 7th grade student
Year long process</p>

<p>Multicultural Seminar:
Partiticipated in 8 week multicultural seminar focusing on modern oppression, racial identity and ally behavior and skill building. This course prepared me to better understand my own multicultural identity, and how to communicate across difference. </p>

<p>Student Task Force:
12th grade</p>

<p>Student Ambassador:
10th,11th,12th - going to open houses, writing on my schools blog about the school, talking to parents who are interested in my school. </p>

<p>Student Council Rep:
11th, 12th</p>

<p>Advertising and Business in the School Paper:
11th and 12th</p>

<p>Working on another year long project on “food justice” which aims to raise a social awareness about the unsustainable way America currently cultivates its food. I will be doing workshops around LA to teach people about what is going on, and at amy school. Possibly getting sponsored by the SDLC (student diversity leadership conference) to go and present this project to kids nationwide. </p>

<p>Sports:
9th and 10th grade: Varsity Soccer
12th grade: Varsity Basketball
(took year off to focus on my academics)</p>

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<p>Go for it! You won’t know unless you try!</p>

3

<p>Might as well. Anyone else care to share their opinions on how I can improve my chance?</p>

4

<p>bump. Comment on chances please!</p>

5

<p>Your in. Trust me. You probably don’t even have to apply E.D. I have way lower credentials than you and at the Explore Bowdoin program I attended, they pretty much told me indirectly that I can get in. If I can, then you DEFINITELY can too :)</p>

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<p>Thanks, that’s reassuring. I hope I can, I have an interview with an alum soon. trying to raise my scores too. I hope it works out! Anyone else have any opinions or suggestions on what I can do to increase my chances?</p>

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<p>Ikcezag - you sound like a terrific person who will have a very positive impact on any college campus. Your list of activities is amazing.
But . . . I have to disagree that you are " in" at Bowdoin. Bowdoin’s acceptance rate last year was about 15% (see link below). Unfortunately, your cumulative GPA is less than 3.5 UW and ACT of 28 means this school is a big reach for you.
Applying to your dream school is the right thing to do, but make sure you also have a few match and safety schools too!</p>

<p>[Regular</a> decision yields 15.6% acceptance rate - The Bowdoin Orient](<a href=“http://orient.bowdoin.edu/orient/article.php?date=2011-04-01&section=1&id=2]Regular”>http://orient.bowdoin.edu/orient/article.php?date=2011-04-01&section=1&id=2)</p>

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<p>Daffymom: Thanks, I appreciate the compliment. Yeah, Bowdoin seems to be a reach for me at this point. I’m out of their range in GPA and just out of range for ACT. I feel that I will greatly increase my chances if I raise my ACT to at least a 30. But who knows, it’s a crapshoot these days. Hopefully I interview well. Thanks for the input.</p>

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<p>I’m in a similar situation with a relatively low freshman GPA dragging me down. While you’ve shown improvement in your grades, I would think that the only way you’d have a realistic chance is with impressive test scores. While Bowdoin doesn’t require them, 85% of students submit them, and the ones who don’t and are accepted usually have phenomenal transcripts and EC’s. While a 28 is good, I would aim for a 30 at the very least. Have you taken the SAT? Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Hey thanks Aligatorblood. I haven’t taken the SAT yet, but my last ACT test is november 5th and i’ve been studying like crazy. I’m going to visit the school in the next couple of weeks, so hopefully I can gain some leverage with the interview. 30 is the goal!
Any other opinions on Bates or Colby?</p>

11

<p>Spend a good amount of time on your essays…make them personal, show who you ARE and why Bowdoin fits you well. Definitely interview, and again, be yourself. Good luck; it’s an excellent place.</p>

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<p>Hey all,
Just took my first trip to Maine and checked out both Bowdoin and Bates. I really liked both schools to be honest. Both schools are quite similar in there academic approach I felt, but I still liked Bowdoin much more. Students were obviously passionate about their studies and I could tell how much they took out of their classes by talking with them. Besides that, Bowdoin’s facilities were nicer. Anyone know any other ways to get an upperhand in the admission process here? I seem to be a little out of the range for ACT scores and I’m looking to get that up. But besides that, any other suggestions?</p>