The time has come for me to choose which LAC I want to attend, and Wesleyan and Bowdoin are my two top choices. As I am an athlete, the coaches have already verified that they can support me and get me in to both schools. Being gay, I want a school that is accepting. Academic excellence is another huge factor for me, and possibly a dating scene as well.
Everything about Bowdoin was great, the dorms, food etc. I’m not sure how much I should take rankings into effect, but their ranking is extremely strong as well.
I was amazed at the openness of the Wesleyan student body and how diverse it was. It seems in general, however, the sports teams at both schools was more conservative than the student body.
Over all, would I be making a better choice to go to Wesleyan, where I feel I might be happier (easier to fit in), or would I still feel the same, supportive environment at Bowdoin? Does Wesleyan’s lower rank have any impact on the decision?
For the last year for which I can see the full data, Bowdoin had an overall score in U.S. News of 92 compared to 84 for Wesleyan. Considered in context, this seems like a pretty minor difference.
Based on your criteria, including academics, I’d think that Wesleyan might be a better fit for you.
Yes, ignore the rankings. Both are amazing academically.
Another thing to consider - which coach and teammates did you click with better? Is one school better than the other in your academic areas of interest?
Drilling down a bit more into the USNews metrics reveal a virtual tie in the academics (in at least, the publicly accessible portions - I don’t usually buy College Compass.) I’m going to go out on limb and predict that this will be generally true of all the NESCAC colleges.
Exact same two schools my son was deciding between after acceptances 16 months ago. After various tours and re-visits and a lot of self-torture, he settled on Bowdoin but I think both would have been great choices. So, bottom line, this is a decision with no bad answer. I don’t think it works that you pick “the wrong one” you ruin your life – I think you will love both and whichever one you pick you will in hindsight think it was the right call.
Speaking from my S’s stories and experiences, I think Bowdoin is very open and inclusive as well. One of the reasons he instinctually leaned toward Bowdoin and away from Wesleyan is he is non-confrontational by nature and didn’t like what her perceived as more aggressive student activism at Wes (trying to defund the paper after they printed a student editorial, when he visited he was getting pressed to sign petitions, etc.). For another student, that might make Wes a draw. To each their own. I agree with others that they are close enough in the rankings as to make it a non-factor.
Go with your gut. Seriously, that’s a cliche but it’s true. Don’t talk yourself in or out of something.