<p>what were your stats or maybe your “hook” that got you into bowdoin?</p>
<p>My son had 800 on verbal, 750 on math, 720 on writing, 10 AP courses through senior year, incredible GPA, extras include Model UN, extensive involvement in the theater program, community service and superb recommendations.</p>
<p>My S had 680 V, 760 M, 720 WR, 5-6 AP courses, top 10 student in
class of 400, state level music recognition.</p>
<p>1600 SAT, straight 800 SAT 2s, straight 5s on 6 APs. National Science Olympiad Medals, Math Competitions, lots of work experience.</p>
<p>i had an 800 verbal (and a 740 math), all sat2s over/equal to 730, national merit, quite a few academic, musical, and athletic awards, and what i think must have been an amazing recommendation*** from my guidance counselor. also all the usual stuff - leadership positions, AP classes, good essay, etc. and i applied EDII.</p>
<p>what i didn't have was an awesome GPA (3.6) - i don't know how reassuring this is, but it might make someone somewhere feel better, so i figured i'd make note of that.</p>
<p>***i don't know this for sure, but when our district did the award ceremony for nat'l merit, the counselors read little "blurbs" about their students. all the other counselors' "blurbs" were really vague and general ("really intelligent," "a great leader," blah blah blah), but my counselor had some specific and awesome things to say about me (and the one other kid he advised). so yeah.</p>
<p>What happened to SAT optional? You guys all have awesome stats and I only have a 2040. Do I still have a decent chance if I don't submit the SAT I? It seems like the people who do would get an advantage.</p>
<p>2040 is fine. I got a 2050 and didn't submit. You have a decent chance if the rest of your record is really strong. I felt my SAT scores really weakened my application.</p>
<p>it's still optional, and i have a lot of friends here at bowdoin (somewhere between 7-10 in my closer circle) who did not submit their SATs when they applied.</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that people actually take advantage of the SAT optional. That is definitely what I will be doing, because the rest of my record is pretty strong, but I'm annoyed that I can't submit my 800 writing! I really don't want my 560 math to show, so I'll learn to deal.</p>