I am a senior currently deciding between these schools! Oberlin gave me a great scholarship, and it sounds like a great school, but the vibe at Bowdoin seems perfect (but less aid). Any insights would be really appreciated!!!
Try this to start:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1981051-bowdoin-vs-oberlin.html
Both great schools but with somewhat different student vibes and location. Congrats!
Probably could not be more different in terms of campus culture. Both are excellent schools. Can you get to revisit days?
Thanks so much for the information. I have not actually visited Bowdoin yet but I’m planning to do so April 20-22 for the admitted students event. I’m very artistic but also athletic. Honestly I am definitely social, but I’m not a big drinker or partier so I’m not sure how that factors in.
Academically, the schools are similar with some notable differences like music where Oberlin has the edge. I agree with poster above that the culture at the schools is very different, so I would focus on that if the academic programs are peers and figure out where you fit best. Location is also an important factor, especially post grad. Bowdoin has an excellent reputation in the Northeast.
Bowdoin is a lot smaller and has more of a party culture from what I know but I know there are a lot of athletes there, maybe more of a focus on athletics than Oberlin though I can’t say for sure. Bowdoin is in a very cute little town and also not far from Portland, which has a nice section called Old Port with lots to do. It is very very cold there in the fall, winter and spring whereas Oberlin has a cold winter but milder spring/fall. Oberlin has a more creative vibe for sure. What are you planning to study? Maybe reach out to faculty while on campus or via email if you can’t visit Oberlin (you mention visiting Bowdoin). Are you a foodie? Bowdoin has the edge there in some ways but the coops at Oberlin seem to offer great possibilities to cook and be surrounded by people who care about sustainable food choices. Do you love music? If so, Oberlin has amazing opportunities to be surrounded by music even if you’re not in the conservatory.
In the end, both are good schools and it may come down to how much the scholarship savings mean to you and other intangibles from visit days.
@LMC9902 Thanks. Right now I am planning to major in math but am also very interested in political science and art. I am planning to go to Oberlin next weekend for an overnight with a student athlete. I think honestly my biggest hesitation about Oberlin is that people are scaring me about the “quirkiness” of the student body. Someone mentioned a lot of drug use. I realize that drugs are in all schools but isnit much more present there? I am definitely liberal minded but want to feel that I am going to a place where all views-- political and otherwise-- are discussed and accepted.
I hear you on the concerns. My sense is that Oberlin is much less like that than you fear but go and decide for yourself. My daughter did their fly in program in the fall and told me that what she loved about Oberlin is that everyone she met was “chill”. She’s left of center but has many views that aren’t extreme, and she’s not really political. She tells me the people she’s met on the Facebook chat for class of 2021 are really nice and open. She’s not one to drink or do drugs but knows that goes on and liked that Oberlin had a lot of things to do that weren’t drinking focused. I haven’t seen campus but we are going on the 21st for All Roads.
Good luck! Keep an open mind - you never know.
Spent the last few days at Oberlin and really enjoyed it! Sad the President is leaving. He seems really chill. I definitely thought everyone was super friendly, but not 100% sure whether I would fit in. Beautiful weather and enjoyed the class I sat in on for sure-- but also looking forward to seeing Bowdoin this week (but weather supposed to be bad!!!)
Thank you to everyone for your feedback! My visit to Bowdoin sold me. The class I visited, the student body, the campus, the town, the dorms, the food. All amazing! I will be a polar bear this fall!! 
Thanks for coming back to let us know.