I’m in the final stages of submitting my college applications, but I’m hung up on if I want to apply to Bowdoin College ED 2 or just regular decision.
If I get accepted, I plan to major in Biology. There are only 2 things that worry me: will the research opportunities be more limited because it’s a small school? Are there any research facilities to intern at nearby outside of the school?
I also worry that as a Washington resident, it may not be worth it to go across the country for this school, although I really do love this school from what I know of it.
The other schools I’ll be applying to are:
Western Washington University
Whitman College
University of Oregon
Bates College
University of Hawaii Manoa
Would any of these schools be better in terms of undergrad research and ROI? I don’t know a lot about these things so any advice would be really appreciated!
I would ed II if you really want to attend. It’s a tough ticket and the ed is an advantage. Very small school and rd spots are tough after filling through ed I and II spots. Super reach in rd round
Bowdoin has strong offerings in the natural sciences, and it prepares students well for PhD programs. I wouldn’t worry about research opportunities.
That said, the other colleges are your list are also very good options, and I’m hesitant to recommend ED II at Bowdoin unless you’re sure it’s the right school for you. How much will your family be expected to pay at Bowdoin? Run the EFC calculator.
If you’re interested in organismal biology - particularly marine biology or botany - there are very few places better than U Hawaii, which is on the smaller side for a public flagship (13,000 undergrads) and a great financial bargain for WA residents through the WUE program. Whitman and WWU are also quite strong in biology and the natural sciences.
Take a look at Lewis & Clark and U Puget Sound as well, especially if you decide to apply RD to Bowdoin.
@warblersrule thank you! I ended up applying ED 2 to Bowdoin, but it’s a reach school for me so there’s no telling if I’ll get in. I’ll consider what you said about U Hawaii! Perhaps I’ll go there if I don’t get accepted to bowdoin.