Which of these schools should I apply ED to?

College Search & Selection
1

I would like to apply early to one of the following schools, but I don’t know which one. I can picture myself at really any of the three.

The schools I’m considering:
Brown
Northwestern
Bowdoin

Here is a bit about me, copied from a previous thread I had:
3.78/4.78 unweighted/weighted GPA
My school doesn’t do class rank.
Nationally ranked suburban high school in the northeast
33 on the ACTs
APs: US History (5), English Language and Composition (4), Spanish Language (5), Psychology (this year), Chemistry (4), Biology (this year), and Calculus BC (this year).
I’ve taken the most rigorous classes at my school possible.
My ECs are very strong (editor in chief of school paper, leadership role in theatre company at school, soccer referee for five years, volunteered 250 hours at a highly-acclaimed museum, did a summer internship at that museum, member of school council).

I prefer schools to be small to medium-sized. (1800-9000 undergrads). I intend to study chemistry/biochemistry/neuroscience, so a strong science program is important to me. I have limited my search to the northeast (incl. NY, PA), mid-atlantic, and Chicago areas. I’m not a huge fan of Greek life, but as long as it doesn’t dominate social life, I don’t mind. I prefer the campus not to be overly rural. I do not like over-competitive and overly-academic social atmospheres. I hope to get my hands dirty in some research while I’m at college.

Here are my thoughts about the schools.

Brown
-Visited a few times as it’s not too far from me. I’m from MA. I like the concept of the open curriculum, and the area seems pretty nice. Not sure how I feel about Providence, as it’s been a bit empty/quiet when I visited. I’m from right outside Boston, so there’s definitely a different dynamic. Plenty to do on campus, and the student body is on the bigger side (at least for the schools I’m considering), but not too big. Classes seem amazing.

Northwestern
-Visited once. The campus is very beautiful, and I know that Northwestern has an amazing chemistry program and amazing chemistry facilities. What I loved when I visited is that everyone is involved in many things. I don’t know if you could tell from my ECs, but I really am all over the place. Lots of double-majors. Amazing theatre program with over 80 productions a year (I don’t act, but I enjoy stage managing/arts administration). The city Northwestern is in, Evanston, is very similar to the city I live in. Chicago would be a completely new experience for me.

Bowdoin
-Also visited once. Brunswick is a very cute and quaint town and I love all the shops and restaurants there. Very close-knit community from what I hear and a collaborative environment (as opposed to a cutthroat school like Yale, for example). Amazing programs and facilities in the sciences and I think I would like smaller classes. I participate a lot in my classes. I like that Portland and Freeport are close by, and Boston is connected via Amtrak. Food, dorms, campus amazing.

If you have any other suggestions for schools, let me know.

Thank you so much!

2

Looks like you like Bowdoin the best, small school in quaint town

3

If you have to ask you shouldn’t ED.

4

You probably have the best chance at getting in ED at Bowdoin

5

I agree, it appears that you really love Bowdoin. You probably have the best fit at Bowdoin.

6

How to decide? One is by which would cost you the least. Or would more research help? These schools are really quite different.

Compare the course catalogs and distribution requirements in the majors you are interested in. Check out the faculty research interests. Google the strategic plans for each school and see what their biggest issues/goals and objectives are at the moment and for the next 5 years. Check out the level of diversity racially and socio-economically. Read the student newspapers online and see what kind of vibe you get for each of the student bodies. Our sense was that that Bowdoin is quite a bit more preppy than Brown. RISD also lends Brown its more artsy alternative feel. Bowdoin abolished frats but has replaced it with a house system that has a lot of frat-like qualities. No judgement - you have to decide if that’s for you. I’d say Northwestern is more similar to Brown in that respect - but also much larger than either of the other two school so an entirely different experience. We didn’t find Providence to be any quieter than Bowdoin - but we were there on a summer weekend and learned that Bowdoin is vacation destination (lots of summer homes in the area), whereas Providence is a city and people leave for their holidays.

Good luck!

7

N’s Mom: Thank you so much for the suggestions. I’ve gotten to the point where each college website feels like it’s saying the same thing as all of the others, so hopefully that will inform my opinion a bit more.

8

Any other suggestions?

Thanks guys.

9

Bump.

10

I agree that if you have to ask, you shouldn’t do ED. However, you do seem most excited about Bowdoin from what you’ve written here, so perhaps you should go with that.

I find it interesting that Providence is too empty/quiet for you but Brunswick/Portland/Freeport is not. That said, I think that definitely comes from your overall excitement about Bowdoin, which is another point in its favor.

11

@julliet I can see myself going to any of the three schools, and I’m afraid I won’t get into any of them regular decision.

That being said, I think what was weird to me is that Providence, a city, was eerily empty when I went, while Brunswick felt like a cozy town. There were actually a good amount of people when I went.

12

Bump.

13

Bump.

14

I think that NU might be too big of a school for you (8,000) undergrad based on your original preferences.

15

Nobody on this board can presume to know what is best for you more than you do. They are all outstanding schools with slightly different attributes which you have isolated. IMO if no school stands out to you then don’t apply anywhere ED. This will give you an opportunity to re-visit all of the schools you get into during accepted students day before making a choice. You never want to apply early somewhere and have any regrets.

If you desperately want to apply somewhere ED, I suggest you re-visit the schools (quickly). My D was down to 2 top schools the fall of her senior year in HS and after she spent a day at both colleges it became clear in her mind which was her top pick.