<p>How academically cut-throat is Bowdoin compared to Colby and Bates? I know Bowdoin is ranked slightly higher in academics than the other two, but if everyone there is completely oriented on doing better than their peers, I would much rather go to Colby or Bates.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any insight into this?</p>
<p>Parent here (not a student) but my S has led me to believe it’s pretty laid back.</p>
<p>Agreed. Students are motivated, not competitive. “Cutthroat” would not even have occurred to me. 
People I know don’t talk about grades much, except in the context of supporting friends.</p>
<p>Another parent here…From my son’s point of view it wasn’t ‘cut-throat’ at all. In fact, it was the opposite. Supportive, collaborative, and focused on learning, not grades.</p>
<p>That sounds perfect! Thanks to everyone who responded.</p>