<p>if you had to choose between:
-University of Vermont
-University of Colorado at Boulder
-Bowdoin</p>
<p>which would you choose based on best overall experience, not just soley based on academics? and why. Thanks</p>
<p>BOWDOIN are u kidding if u choose UVM u be crazy</p>
<p>I agree that I would choose Bowdoin, but I favor LACs pretty strongly. Also, I don't know too much about those schools aside from academics (at least not enough to differentiate--I think they're all fairly cold and sporty), and while I would put Bowdoin on top for that, you specifically asked not to use that asmy only criteria, which is basically what I've done. So this is basically just IMO, but maybe you'll find it remotely helpful.</p>
<p>UVM is a major pot school-- major-- but my friends who are there like it because it's relatively laid-back and friendly. I guess it depends what you're looking for.</p>
<p>Uhh.............Bowdoin by a mile.</p>
<p>I would go to UC-Boulder. Colorado has the best social life and athletics. Also who would go to Vermont? And Bowdoin.....small lac's suck!</p>
<p>anyone else? i know that Bowdoin has the better academics but does it give you the real college experience that bigger schools would or is it just like highschool all over again... that is what i mean by best overall experience.</p>
<p>Being that I'm from California, there's no way in hell I'd survive in Maine. Out of those 3, I'd probably pick CU @ Boulder.</p>
<p>anyone else have any opinions im really stuck on this.</p>
<p>Okay do you want a small liberal arts school or a large university?</p>
<p>I'd say Bowdoin, just because the academics are so superior to the other to. But then again, the dean of my school went to graduate school at U of Colorado at Boulder, and said the experience was amazing.</p>
<p>Overall experience? How can we advise you if you tell us not what you like? If you want a huge party scene, fan-filled football stadia and lots of variety, UC-Boulder is hard to beat. But if you prefer a small, close-knit environment, a gifted and intellectually driven student body and challenging academics, you would probably be better off going to Bowdoin.</p>
<p>Personally, I would chose Bowdoin without much of a thought. It is clearly the best academic institution of the bunch you are considering, and lest we forget, college is, for the most part anyway, about academics.</p>
<p>UC boulder hands down</p>
<p>Hey, you mentioned Bowdoin would be "like highschool" b/c it's small. Doubtful...</p>
<p>In fact, it is usually at bigger unis people feel like they're in 13th grade, because people quickly group into cliques due to the size, football games are still one of the biggest events around, and there are a ton of lazy, unmotivated students. </p>
<p>The truth is, though, Big State U is only highschool if you make it. </p>
<p>For me, small campuses in small towns feel stifling. I also feel like I've been sheltered all my life and need to learn how to make it in a bigger world, take responsibility for myself, etc. I like the excitement of a big campus, and know that should I look, it will be easy to find a group of intellectual kids in honors programs, intellectual clubs, etc. All of my life I've been surrounded by nerds, and college is a time to meet new people, broaden my horizon, taste the real world in a controlled situation. So I would choose Colorado for those reasons.</p>
<p>On the same token, a person might choose Bowdoin because it is easier to challenge yourself academically, easier to find that intellectual peer group...they might like the small, close-knit feeling, the cozy campus, the opportunities to feel like you have your hand in every pot/are involved with everything. You don't feel like a number, your professors will be more willing to chat with you, etc. </p>
<p>But neither would be like highschool, trust me, haha.</p>
<p>I attended a large state university and cliques did not exist in any significant abundance, nor were students lazy or unotivated. I don't think any "type of university or college" can be so easily categorized. I am sure some state schools have cliques and unmotivated students and I am sure some LACs do too.</p>
<p>to answer the question of what i like is confusing because i think i could pretty much adapt to any of these situations. i could enjoy both a big or a small school they each have their strengths. but is the academics at Bowdoin really worth not going to a school like UC Boulder(big parties, good town, football games, and etc) and having a completely new location(im from MA). After all, i think you can pretty much find a good education anywhere it doesn't need to be a small LAC. Also what are some ways i could decide in figuring this out?</p>
<p>Boulder!Especially if you can get into the Honors Program.Bowdoin is,IMO,overrated.Very small,very bitterly cold,isolated and confining. Little else to do but drink and gain weight. Not as selective as portrayed due to optional SATs.</p>
<p>I happen to know a bit about CU Boulder, and very little about Bowdoin or Vermont. I was a visiting professor at Boulder.</p>
<p>You simply must decide what you want. It's that simple. The town of Boulder is spectacular. I may retire there if I can convince my wife. There's lots of sun, lots of good restaurants, more cultural activities per square inch than anywhere else I've ever been, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, mild winters (for the most part), a stunning number of bike and hiking trails, festivals, great shopping, nice people, and the list goes on. </p>
<p>The CU physical campus is very nice, with Italianate architecture featuring red tile roofs. There are plenty of trees and plenty of grass. Budget cuts mean that the insides of the buildings are often badly in need of repair, so there's a bit of a seedy feel to the place. The libary is small for a school that size. I found it inadequate, but perhaps an undergrad wouldn't notice as much.</p>
<p>Obviously, CU is a Big 12 school, so it has all the usual athletic teams, a band, cheerleaders, poms, and the like. There's a good-but-not-great activities center. The exercise facilities are a bit overbooked except for the very early morning hours.</p>
<p>Above all, CU is a party school. Thursday through Sunday nights on the Hill, which is where most of the students live, and a roughly ten block square area from Arapahoe to Baseline and from 9th street to Folsom, is jammed with stumbling, puking, fighting, screaming, slurring, urinating humanity. The Hill area is packed with police call boxes, and for good reason. There have been a number of riots, couch burnings, etc. in the past. The neighbors on the Hill hate the students and it seems to go both ways. </p>
<p>Academically, there were a few bright and alert students in my classes, but the vast majority of students there define the word "mediocre." I'd say that's probably no different from most flagship state universities.</p>
<p>Hope this was helpful.</p>
<p>Garrity:</p>
<p>My understanding about the Honors Programs (there is more than one) is that they are fairly anemic and have relatively few benefits. I could be wrong. Perhaps you are in one. If so, I'll defer to your experience.</p>
<p>Tarhunt: No,I am a parent and I am familiar with many honors programs and colleges,but not with Boulder's other than the fact that the minimum SAT required is 1350 out of 1600. Typical honors programs offer special housing,courses,advising and socials. If Boulder does offer these amenities to honors students it is far superior than to Bowdoin,IMO.</p>