<p>I know Bowdoin is famed for its subjectivity in the admissions process, but exactly how subjective are they? I understand test scores aren’t required, but what about GPA?</p>
<p>Do they prefer well-rounded individuals, or singularly passionate individuals?</p>
<p>lol, subjective? i've never that characterization. </p>
<p>where'd you hear that?</p>
<p>As in they put a lot to store by extracurriculars and enthusiasm in Bowdoin itself.</p>
<p>i don't think bowdoin is any more subjective than its peer schools. the one exception is that it doesn't require the SAT. if that makes it subjective, so be it. but for all students, academic record is the most important criterion the admissions office considers.</p>
<p>I think subjectivity is a good thing when it comes to college admissions. Then you don't get a student body made up of exactly the same type of person.</p>
<p>Interesting. I believe I am academically qualified, but there were two boys who graduated from my school last year who had 3.3 and 3.4 (out of 4.0) GPAs. Seems to me that they look a little beyond academic record. I agree, I really don't want to go to school with a bunch of kids who only went to Bowdoin because they had a good GPA. I want to go with people who are interesting, regardless of GPA, and evidently, Bowdoin seems to admit students with reasonable, but not necessarily stellar, GPAs who have something unique to offer. I'm very excited for the fall.</p>
<p>The word Bowdoin generally uses in describing its approach to admissions is "holistic," which is to say that the admissions staff will go beyond the hard numbers in assessing applicants and will look at things like EC's, character, the applicant's interests, and other characteristics that are not necessarily captured by GPA's and SAT scores or number of AP courses . .</p>
<p>Holistic. That was the word. I remember now - thanks. :)</p>
<p>Holistic is a much better word to describe Bowdoin admissions (imo) because subjective implies that the admissions criteria can vary widely based on a few variables. In talking to friends that work in admissions, and my personal experience, I don't think that's the case at all...
The first day of school the admissions director gave his annual speech, in which he explained that the top 400 applicants (academically) would have looked very different from the class that was ultimately admitted. Basically, the school gives off the vibe that grades are of primary importance but that concern is tempered with the desire to see students with a passion for a particular area of study or exceptional skill/talent.</p>