<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I just was wondering if anyone had any opinions on attending Haverford College vs. Bowdoin College as a transfer. I was admitted to both, and have to decide by next friday.</p>
<p>They were two of my top schools so I'm really excited about both.</p>
<p>My prospective major would be Government at Bowdoin w/ a Latin American Studies minor/concentration. At Haverford it would be Poli Sci w/ a Latin American Studies minor/concentration.</p>
<p>Also, at Haverford I have a really good / almost definite chance of playing soccer (have already talked w/ the coach and I am can go to pre-season training in Brazil w/ them). Bowdoin, is less of a sure thing. They finished second in the NESCAC last year and the few kids who I know of on the team are really really talented players, probably above my level. The coach said I could try to walk on, but he didn't seem as optimistic.</p>
<p>What to do???</p>
<p>haverford. the schools are almost exactly equal academically, but go to haverford if you have a shot to play soccer. plus maine is not as cool as pennyslvania.</p>
<p>Maine is plenty cool. But the soccer is a nice tie-breaker.</p>
<p>not harvard bball, haverford. if you were joking, weak joke.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the responses....anyone else have any thoughts?</p>
<p>I would also go with Haverford, but make sure you really know that you can play soccer there. I would also determine which one is better financially, but I'm guessing you might have a soccer scholarship waiting for you at Haverford.</p>
<p>unfortunately, because it's DIII no scholarship. I'm not getting any financial aid at either school b/c I'm a transfer and there is not much money available.</p>
<p>I have spoken with the coach and it is a "go" that i can play there.</p>
<p>anoyne else have any thoughts?</p>
<p>Haverford is just as good a school, and in a much better environment.</p>
<p>Unless you want to live in rural, boring, freezing Maine. Then, by all means, transfer.</p>
<p>bump.................</p>
<p>I would personally prefer Bowdoin and do think it is somewhat more well known and highly regarded. The chance to play soccer, especially as a transfer and have an instant group to be a part of could be worth the difference for you.</p>
<p>anyone else have any ideas? i need to decide by Friday...</p>
<p>So decide!</p>
<p>Both Bowdoin and Haverford are superb schools. I don't think there's any difference in terms of academic reputation.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is in rural Maine. Heaven on earth in summer. Brutal in the winter. It's Maine...so aside from skiing, you have to find your own stuff to do.</p>
<p>Haverford is in a hoity-toity close-in suburb of Philadelphia, an urban area of about 5 million. 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia by commuter train. Couple hours from NYC and Washington, DC by train.</p>
<p>Have you visited both schools?</p>
<p>they are pretty much equivalent on overall academic quality, strength of departments of interest, and prestige.
weather: point to haverford
soccer: point to haverford
school spirit: point to bowdoin (nescac)
bowdoin tends to be slightly preppier than haverford, which is slightly more liberal, if that matters to you.
location: bowdoin is much more isolated, if that matters, but has much better access to skiing and other outdoorsy stuff.
its a very close race! but if you are gung ho on playing soccer, and getting lots of playing time, i'd have to choose haverford (as you know, bowdoin/nescac has a more competitive team).</p>
<p>i have visited both schools. i actually went to school right near haverford for my first year. had a couple of good friends there so got to meet a lot of people there and had a really good experience as far as fitting in socially.</p>
<p>i know kids at bowdoin, but only 1 or 2 are good friends. my high school currently has i believe the 7th or 8th highest number of stuents at Bowdoin.</p>
<p>
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i have visited both schools. i actually went to school right near haverford for my first year. had a couple of good friends there so got to meet a lot of people there and had a really good experience as far as fitting in socially.
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<p>So, you have first hand experience and like Haverford socially. You can play soccer and go on a soccer trip to Brazil. It's a great school in a fabulous location. Sounds like a winner to me. I'm not sure I understand why there is even a decision to make. What would lead you to consider Bowdoin when Haverford sounds like a great fit? </p>
<p>I can't think of anything Bowdoin offers that Haverford doesn't, except a slightly more preppy student body and more drinking.</p>
<p>I would say go with Haverford.
It's in Pennsylvania which is closer to just about everywhere than Maine, and the soccer is definately a tie braker!
If your passion is soccer then go with that!
They're both about equal academically so it now just depends on the other things, which is soccer.</p>
<p>yah, right now i'm definitely leaning towards haverford. parents seem to be pushing bowdoin more though, for whatever reason.</p>