<p>Help! I have put my deposit in at Wesleyan and was just accepted off the waitlist at Bowdoin. I only have 24 hours to decide…so any help you can give me would be great. I am planning to major in anthropology and environmental studies, I will row at whichever school I choose, I am really into high adventure/outdoors and sustainable agriculture. My top three choice schools were Williams (still waitlisted), Bowdoin and Wesleyan. I have visited all three…Wesleyan on a Friday night, and the party scene was a bit much for me, but I liked the diversity and the laid-back feel. I have read that Bowdoin is like a continuation of boarding school and very preppy, but I love Maine and the outdoor club is a big attraction. Any advice?</p>
<p>I’ve visited both Wesleyan and Bowdoin on weekends and the partying scene at Bowdoin was no less intense and widespread than it was at Wesleyan–my experience anyway. At Bowdoin it seemed even more necessary to party every friday and saturday night than it did at Wesleyan. Just sayin…</p>
<p>Although they are both one of the 3 little ivies (Williams is the other), Bowdoin has the better reputation of the two. It comes down to fit and personal preference, but I’d vote Bowdoin.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. I know that Bowdoin has a reputation for lots of beer drinking and parties, which is fine. And I felt no pressure to drink at Wesleyan which was also great. Wesleyan does have a reputation for drinking and drugs and it does have a few fraternities. I also feel that Bowdoin’s outing club will provide me with lots of options on the weekends.</p>
<p>this IS boarding school - I feel like Wesleyan would give you more of a college"y" experience. Honestly, they’re both good schools, anyone who says that Bowdoin is SOOOO MUCH better than Wesleyan banks way too much on USNews. Just do what feels right</p>
<p>Wesleyan and Williams are indeed two of the “Little Three,” but the third is Amherst, not Bowdoin. The term “little Ivies,” however, refers to a greater number of the small LAC’s in the New England area. Not that it matters.</p>
<p>I picked Bowdoin over Wesleyan…it wasn’t easy, but I had a lot of the same considerations as you. I’m planning on majoring in environmental studies, and I love Bowdoin’s location both because of that (coastal studies center!) and the Outdoor Club. I’m also planning on living in a chem-free dorm to give myself a little distance from the party scene.</p>
<p>My Sister is a sophomore Wesleyan and my Brother is a junior at Bowdoin. In all honesty they are both awesome schools, with great academic and social reputations. My brother does tell me that the partying atmosphere at Bowdoin is very “heavy” and present in the entire student body, but he seems to really live the campus and his close group of friends. My sister always boasts about Wesleyan’s great professors and amazing study opportunities she has had as a freshman and sophomore (she’s majoring in Biology).
I think in the end you should just choose what feels right for you, it’s a very personal decision. Go with your gut is my best advice.</p>
<p>I saw on the Wes board you decided on Bowdoin. Congratulations! I know it must have been a tough decision. Both are wonderful schools.</p>