<p>I have selected Bowdoin as one of my top choices for applying to next year.
Part of this was because for several years I have attending a camp where I go on canoe expeditions. What kept me returning to that camp was part the awesome trips and physical journey, but also the camaraderie with the people on my trips, and the chance to form a genuine connection with people and to interact with level-headed, compassionate, and interesting people.
I feel that the people who go on outdoor trips often have these attributes. Therefore, when I saw how active the outing club at Bowdoin was, and how integral a part of the college it was I was hooked. What I want to know is what the sense of community is like and what the general feel of the student body is.
The second part of my question pertains to the academics. I know that Bowdoin is rigorous academically, but am slightly drawn to a few schools that have a higher prestige factor and more resources such as dartmouth, or brown. However, I keep finding myself thinking, that if the attitude is as warm, and enthusiastic as everyone describes it, then Bowdoin will be a better fit for me than anywhere else. Pretty much, I am just looking for input on what life at Bowdoin is like, because I much as I can get from tours and research, it is hard to really know what the people are like and what it would be like to live up there. </p>
<p>I am not a member of the outing club, but I have many friends in the outing club. It certainly is a very strong, welcoming community! Many of my good friends love the friendly atmosphere during the trips. </p>
<p>Although I am not in the Outing Club myself, I do feel a great sense of community other places. My major department is very welcoming, and I’ve had remarkable classes, friendly professors, fun events, and intelligent classmates. I feel supported in my academic endeavors by my two major departments and one department in particular seems to have great outreach in order to have professors know students personally. The community at Bowdoin is hard to compare to - I have spent significant time at another LAC similar to Bowdoin recently and it made me realize how much I love Brunswick as well as Bowdoin. I’m involved in the community and I love Maine. It’s physically beautiful and I love the pace of life as well. </p>
<p>As to prestige… please ignore prestige. If you pick a college based on prestige rather than happiness, you might not even be able to take advantage of the greater resources that the “more prestigious” college has. The prestige difference between Bowdoin and Dartmouth or Brown is minimal. You’ll get a great education at any of those three schools. The biggest difference is University/College. At Bowdoin, and at Dartmouth (for the most part), you won’t be able to take graduate level courses, but you’ll likely have closer relationships with your professors and smaller classes. This might not matter to you depending on your major interests, but I realize now that I would like to take graduate level courses in one of my majors. But I would choose Bowdoin again and again and again if given the chance. </p>
<p>I am so glad I chose Bowdoin. I remember flying over Maine to visit in April of my senior year. I felt then that it was home. I knew when I stayed on campus, saw people say hello to each other all the time. I knew when I talked to many professors. And I know now that I have met lifelong friends and am receiving a tremendous education.</p>
<p>Good luck in your decision. If you have any more questions, I will answer them.</p>
<p>It is difficult to compete with the New England Ivy League schools on the basis of absolute prestige, but Bowdoin’s place in history is quite impressive and unique. It is one of a kind in many respects.</p>
<p>Re: Outing Clubs</p>
<p>Dartmouth has a pretty good outing club organization as well.</p>