<p>Hey guys,
Bowdoin states that (in collegeboard) essays and GPA are very important factors.
So, if a person who has an awful essay but not a high GPA, will he be accepted by Bowdoin admission? and vice versa
From your experiences, do you think which is the most important factors in Admission decision?
<p>I would say GPA and SATs (if you send them), followed by the essays. The thing about GPA and SATs is that, though they maybe evil and not show the "true you", they are the only quantitative measure of you as a student, so they nevertheless are used as the foundation of any application. The essays and the other stuff only work to shore up any perceived deficiencies in those numbers(or negate any percieved strengths in the off chance you can't write and have done nothing worthwhile with your life).</p>
<p>I disagree. I had a very strong GPA and was deferred- but then again I did not submit test scores which isn't supposed to affect you but probably hurt. I think that to get into Bowdoin not only do you need to have a high gpa, but but you also have to do something that is very unique and impressing. So many students have high gpas who apply and it is often not enough. I think the major reason I didn't get accepted was because I did not do anything too out of the ordinary. I did a lot and was well-rounded, but the people I've heard of who got in did something that really made them stand out. One person, for example, focused on learning Japanese for many years, while another excelled nationally in some type of science activity. Bowdoin admissions is unlike most colleges and even unlike many selective colleges. It is extremeley competitive and I believe that very good grades coupled with something very special is a must since the competition has become so fierce. Getting great grades and being well rounded and not having any extra advantage will not necessarily get you in. I fit this description and it certainly didn't work out for me. It seems that doing something really impressive or being involved in many leadership positions is what is going to do it. But, no one can truly know for sure.</p>
<p>Eric, I don't know specifically about your case, but I do know that Bowdoin has to turn away a ton of people who are more than qualified for the school simply because we don't have the space. The admissions officers would love to accept more people per every slot, but being over-enrolled really sucks for the college. I also know that Bowdoin's admissions staff, as well as most places I visited, said that the quantitative stats (GPA/SAT/ACT/etc.) were more important than the qualitative portions of the application like the essay or the recommendation. That said, Bowdoin does value the essays highly, especially the supplement they choose.</p>
<p>i probably won't be able to have an interview, because I live in the midwest, and the online request form isn't working for me. How much do you think this will hurt me in the admissions process? Are interviews a big factor? I know that they usually are at such small schools. Any opinions about this? Thanks.
by the way... i'm not trying to hi-jack the thread or anything, but this seemed relevant to the OP's question.</p>