<p>I am still contemplating applying to Bowdoin ED. I have all the required materials and essays, it is just a matter of turning it all in. I am a liberal girl who goes to a public school, and I have always thought I would want to go to a large public university. However, I have a cousin who attended Bowdoin and absolutely loved it there, and he is very similar to me (likes the outdoors, sporty, not preppy).</p>
<p>I was wondering if Bowdoin was like the stereotypical NESCAC schools? Is it really full of preppy kids who are always dressed up and partying? Would a liberal sporty and laid-back girl do well here? I’m the type who likes to wear sweatshirts if I can, but I can also dress up. I come from a pretty diverse public school, so I’m hoping Bowdoin is not too homogeneous.</p>
<p>I get a really good feeling when I think of Bowdoin, and I have visited a few times and love the campus. I’m just worried that if I’m not like the stereotypical Bowdoin student I will have a hard time finding my place at such a small school.</p>
<p>Why would you apply ED to a school you have even a slight doubt about? Do you really want to be locked into a school you think there’s a possibility you won’t fit in?</p>
<p>You either need to disspell your doubts, which no one on CC can really do for you, or you need to apply RD and go to Admitted Students Weekend, when you’ll be able to sample the incoming class and see if you like them.</p>
<p>To answer your question, Bowdoin is probably pretty similar to other NESCAC schools. Most kids that apply to Bowdoin also apply to a variety of the other 'cac schools. There is a sizable preppy population here; lots of wealthy northeastern prep schools kids. I’ve found that people do dress up for class, or, at least on the whole, look presentable. That being said, as with any school, there is going to be diversity and Bowdoin is no exception. We do have outdoorsy kids and almost everyone here is athletic in some way (varsity sports, club/intramural, outing club, etc.) I think Bowdoin sometimes seems real homogenous because it is such a small school that the diversity at times is hard to see.</p>
<p>Well said @MrMom62
If you have doubt, then why not apply RD? If you are a qualified student, you admission chance will be too much a difference no matter which admission option you choose. Be aware that ED is for student who is 100% sure that they will not regret if they are accepted. Think of the advantages of RD It gives more time to make your final decision and you will have the chance to compare the schools that have accepted you in the fall. </p>
<p>Just a reminder that don’t rush even if the deadline of ED is coming up.</p>
<p>Your post also begs a comparison. Where else are you applying? Bowdoin may be no different than those schools and, if you prefer it, you should boost your chances by applying ED. None of this is made against an objective measurement of “preppy”. I chose Bowdoin over UVa, in large part because it was decidedly less preppy than UVa. But Bowdoin is decidedly more preppy than Berkeley. Not that either school is a very common overlap.</p>
<p>gingerbadger, I’m also coming from a large, diverse, public high school, and was a little intimidated by the small size at Bowdoin and worried it might feel a little constrictive, especially if it’s not very diverse. I didn’t start my college search looking for small liberal arts colleges but those are all the ones that interested me academically and in terms of extracurriculars, and Bowdoin is at the top of my list! I get a pretty outdoorsy, not to uptight vibe from Bowdoin, and also know that the school puts a lot of emphasis on being engaged in the community around it, which I think is very cool!</p>
<p>“I was wondering if Bowdoin was like the stereotypical NESCAC schools?”</p>
<p>Yes – it is. And, no – it isn’t.</p>
<p>“Is it really full of preppy kids who are always dressed up and partying?”</p>
<p>Depends. On the event.</p>
<p>“Would a liberal sporty and laid-back girl do well here?”</p>
<p>Yup.</p>
<p>“I’m the type who likes to wear sweatshirts if I can, but I can also dress up.”</p>
<p>Oh wow! Me too!!</p>
<p>“I come from a pretty diverse public school, so I’m hoping Bowdoin is not too homogeneous.”</p>
<p>It’s homogeneously full of lack of sleep, and stress. I hope you enjoy the lack of sleep, and the many different flavors of stress. And expectations. High expectations.</p>
<p>“I’m just worried that if I’m not like the stereotypical Bowdoin student I will have a hard time finding my place at such a small school.”</p>
<p>No need to feel the need to be so obsequious, yo. Why don’t you read the school newspaper and twitter feeds and such. Bowdoin so fine, you wished you had two of you to enjoy it.</p>
<p>Monday - Oh boy here we go again. I wonder if I’ll see that cute hockey bro in my intro to Bio class today. I hope it’s not awkward since we hooked up at crackhouse on Sat but he didn’t make eye contact with me when we passed each other at Moulton during brunch yesterday.</p>
<p>Tuesday - There’s an A capella event happening at Smith Union tonight. Yay let’s go. I can do homework on Wed.</p>
<p>Wednesday - Oh oops it’s wasted Wed. Why did I pick such a big drinking school? Oh that’s right I love to have fun. Awesome. I guess I’ll do homework later.</p>
<p>Thursday - Oh wow there’s a pub night tonight. Better start pregaming at 7 PM because those Maine winters make it so hard to walk around without being drunk. Hey look it’s those Hyde kids who keep to themselves and don’t drink except that one hockey bro who thought he was cool living in a chem free dorm and goes out drinking a ton. Maybe I should get with him? But basketball is having a party in the tower. So many choices! (No, there’s really only 2 or 3). </p>
<p>Friday - Oh shoot, I forgot to do homework. Better tell the teacher that I’ll turn it in later! Lunch date with my roomies at Thorne, and then gotta get ready for the hockey game! Then a house party with only 3 kegs at Mac House but there’s a dude upstairs with secret stashes of Capt Morgan so no worries. I love you Cap’n!</p>
<p>Sat morning - Oh boy, I woke up with the worst headache ever. I hate you Cap’n. I guess we didn’t make it to supersnacks last night. Oh wait what’s this cheerio dispenser doing in my room? I guess we DID make it to supersnacks last night! COllege roolz! Eww my roommate puked somewhere in our living room. Let’s cover it up with the rug for now. I guess I’ll finally do that homework and just say the email wasn’t working. I love technology. </p>
<p>Sat evening - Time to go out again. Oh that guy texted me asking where I’ll be tonight! I love the hookup culture here! I have a 1/150 chance of starting a real relationship with this guy that will last for more than 1 semester but who cares, it’s college! </p>
<p>-This in no way reflects the experiences and observations of anyone other than the author. Take it with a small grain of salt.</p>