<p>I realize there may be some bias on this board, but which one is better? (your opinion)</p>
<p>Better for what? What are you looking for in college?</p>
<p>Swarthmore all the way, but it depends on what you mean by "better." Swarthmore is more academically intense and rigorous, has a somewhat better reputation, has better grad school placement, etc. Bowdoin is more pre-professional, more athletic, more preppy, etc. In terms of general academic quality, I'd say Swarthmore is slightly better, but they are comparable schools. It's probably more important to focus on issues of personal fit, culture, etc.</p>
<p>Well, by "better" I guess I meant both in terms of academics and the social scene. Also, is it true that Bowdoin has a significantly better outdoor program than Swarthmore.</p>
<p>"Also, is it true that Bowdoin has a significantly better outdoor program than Swarthmore."</p>
<p>Probably so. Swarthmore had some club called "Outsiders", but I don't think it's very active.</p>
<p>this is not as difficult a choice as it usually is between top LACs because swarthmore tends to be a polarizing place. i think you either love it or you hate it, so visiting and speaking with the students is very important. i had a few friends at bowdoin who chose bowdoin over swarthmore, although swarthmore tends to carry with it a bit more prestige among those who make it a point to distinguish these things. generally, though, the prestige difference does not tend to bear itself out; those who know swarthmore tend to know bowdoin and those who aren't familiar with one, usually aren't familiar with either. </p>
<p>differences may exist at the margin in grad school placement, although this may also be explained by self-selection. indeed, for phd programs, the experiences with your professors that you'll get from swarthmore are identical at bowdoin. your acceptance to grad school will likely turn on your preparedness and talent than which among the top 10 LACs you attended. any disparity that does exist, then, may suggest that swarthmore's students are, on average, stronger than bowdoin's, not that the educational opportunities are distinct. i had many friends at bowdoin who did well there, however, and our collective drive, discussions, and relationships with the faculty made my experience as rigorous as it would have been anywhere. my friends' current experience indicates that bowdoin's grad school placement in top programs is unassailable. </p>
<p>i loved my experience at bowdoin, although i tend to think i would have liked swarthmore as well. i will say, however, that bowdoin tends to have a broader political sweep in its student body than swarthmore, and tends to be a bit more relaxed a school. i say visit swarthmore to get a feel for it. i think your choice will be clear after visiting.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is also very very cold in the winter. If you love winter sports, that's a huge plus. I have the impression that many students who attend are hearty outdoors persons.</p>
<p>Bowdoin actually has more in common with Williams than with Swarthmore. Very remote. Very harsh winters. Leans a bit more preppy and outdoorsy. Fairly signficant drinking culture. More jocks than Swarthmore, although probably not as extreme as Williams.</p>
<p>Swarthmore is suburban, 20 minutes by train from a major city. Leans a bit more geeky and academically focused. More of a culture of social responsibility. Below average drinking scene.</p>
<p>By the numbers, the two big difference would be diversity (Swarthmore 62% white US versus 74% at Bowdoin) and more than double the per student endowment at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Both good schools. Visit both if you can and see which feels right to you.</p>
<p>I had the same choices last year, but pretty much made up my mind to go to Swarthmore on April 1. Though Swarthmore and Bowdoin are both amazing schools, I feel Swarthmore can boast greater diversity and more renown academics. You won't completely be missing out on the outdoors at Swarthmore either. I just reorganized the Outsiders (<a href="http://www.swatoutsiders.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.swatoutsiders.org</a>) with a group of my friends. We should have some great trips next year.</p>