<p>I absolutely 100% love everything about Bowdoin!!! Everything that I can without visiting, which I’m going to eventually.
I know it’s extraordinarily competitive and my only advantage is that I’m from Texas (“geographical diversity”), but other than that I have approximately a 0% chance of getting in. It’s depressing.
If anyone has ANY insight, ideas, suggestions, on what Bowdoin College admissions officers want to see, please let me know.
stats:
30 ACT (31M, 31R, 27S, 29E) I’m retaking it and hoping for a 31 or 32.
I’ve been told my essay is strong and shows my character/personality well.
I have good ECs, great volunteer/community service, I had an internship this past summer in my field of interest, started a fundraiser, etc.
3.8 UW 4.3 W gpa, 6 APs, the rest honors classes, upward trend from freshman-junior year. </p>
<p>It has every single thing I want in a college and I have yet to read a negative review or comment about it, and in the videos that I’ve seen the students all seem so happy. (no greek scene, happiest people, good profs, no impossible workload or grade deflation, small classes, great food, remarkable reputation, attractive guys, preppy but not too preppy, diverse, outdoorsy, beautiful location, I could go on and on=)</p>
<p>PLEASE please please help me if you have any knowledge on how to gain admission to Bowdoin College, I really feel like this is the only fit for me as I am an incredibly picky person (not proud of it) and have trouble finding things I truly love. Thanks.</p>
<p>I visited there in the spring and something that they mentioned was just demonstrating interest in some way, like visiting the campus (eventually, like you said) or reaching out to your regional admissions rep. Maybe introduce yourself and ask a few questions about your situation? Can’t guarantee on this getting you in, as I’m a rising senior too, but it couldn’t hurt to try. Just make sure you can spell pronounce the school’s name if you interview with them, apparently the admissions people find people butchering the name out west. </p>
<p>Also, everything that you said about the school seemed true to me when I visited. A buddy of mine from high school was my tour guide and honestly loved everything about the place. Btw, the food is just as good as advertised.</p>
<p>My daughter (from San Francisco) had an ACT Composite of 33, with perfect 36’s on the English and the Math (a 29 on the reading and a 30 on the Science pulled the composite down). Her GPA was a 3.9 unweighted, and a 4.03 weighted. She did a campus visit, did a local alumni interview locally here in San Francisco, and put forward a really strong essay. She wrote her essay on her own, and then we had a private guidance counselor review it and she said it was fabulous and recommended no changes. She was wait listed at Bowdoin and did not get in. She ended up at Colby and has been back to Bowdoin once or twice since and is glad she did not get into Bowdoin and is very happy at Colby and has no regrets. She feels the students at Colby are happier and the campus is much prettier than Bowdoin. Look around. If you don’t get into Bowdoin, there is a reason for it, and you will be just as happy elsewhere. Maybe apply to Colby? It will not be the end of the World if you are rejected or waitlisted at Bowdoin, but good luck anyway…</p>
<p>I get the impression from everything I read, and from the few grads I’ve spoken to, that Bowdoin likes quirk. If there’s anything about you that’s a little different, out of the ordinary…I’d play to that. They like athletes. They like athletes who like art. They like people who are interested/excited about Maine. Your stats are within range…but as GDMACK illustrates, with a 16% acceptance rate, you can be a stellar academic student and still not make the cut. And it’s true, there are two other ME schools that offer great opportunities with significantly less competitive admissions. But if you want Bowdoin, I think its well within your grasp if you handle your application with care. Good Luck! Go you Bears!</p>
<p>I hope you’re able to visit soon. A small college can look different on paper or the web from the actual experience. Bowdoin is a wonderful school and an ideal for many students, but you need to experience it in person to know if it’ll truly be a good fit for you. Our D (also from TX) expected to love it, but came away from a long campus visit not even wanting to apply. (more quirk and less happiness than she expected.) If you can visit before the ED deadline and then are still committed to the school, ED1 applicants have somewhat better admission chances. Also, choose your teacher recommenders well to get the best possible recs. Pay attention to all the details in your application and have someone proofread everything before you submit it. Keep your grades up this semester and keep looking for other schools. There are many wonderful and less selective LACs with qualities similar to the ones that appeal to you at Bowdoin.</p>
They like people who are interested/excited about Maine. Your stats are within range…but as GDMACK illustrates, with a 16% acceptance rate, you can be a stellar academic student and still not make the cut. And it’s true, there are two other ME schools that offer great opportunities with significantly less competitive admissions. But if you want Bowdoin, I think its well within your grasp if you handle your application with care. Good Luck! Go you Bears!</p>