Bowdoin College

Located in a quaint city in Southern Maine, Bowdoin has all of the features indicative of an incredible college experience. Here you will find a rigorous (but personalized and adaptable) curriculum, research opportunities, and plenty of options to study abroad - but, above all, you will find yourself immersed in a community of friends and colleagues that strive to make the world a better place with each and every breath they take. Bowdoin puts a strong emphasis on its leading principles, particularly that of the Common Good. This term often confuses prospective students: after all, what exactly does working toward the Common Good entail? Is it service? Research? Volunteering? Don't fret, the answer is fairly simple! Serving the Common Good is individualized. It means using your own talents, interests, and sense of purpose to benefit the world. It can be thinking up solutions to complex problems, or challenging ideals and morals. It's putting your all into doing what you love, no matter what outlet you use, and taking the time to thoughtfully make an impact wherever you go. Throughout their time here, Bowdoin students are geared toward using the time and skills that they have available to benefit their communities, and on a larger scope, society. Be sure to check out the Joseph McKeen Center for the Common Good for more information on the work that we do across the globe! But, our dedication to serving others isn't the only thing we're packing. Bowdoin has a wide variety of clubs available, and students are able to begin their own clubs if they feel the need to do so. One of our most popular clubs is the Outing Club, which allows students to become engaged with the Maine's beautiful scenery and nature through a variety of activities! We're also home of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and the Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum, which host unique events for students and allow them to become better engaged with art and history. Did I mention the food yet? Bowdoin understands that a healthy brain needs a healthy meal to fuel it! Our dining halls pride themselves on serving the best food in the nation (seriously, look it up! :)) Students also find themselves engaged in activities that take them off campus and into the surrounding city of Brunswick, which is just as welcoming and accepting a community as the college itself. You may have also noticed that we are test optional! This means that you may request that admissions counselors do not take your ACT or SAT scores into consideration when looking over your application. We care about your growth and potential throughout high school, and admissions understand that test scores are not always indicative of your own journey. They've been doing this for decades, and they know what they're looking for in a candidate - if you feel as though your growth cannot be measured through test scores, feel free to request that they are not used in your evaluation! Students are often wary when Bowdoin mentions this, but don't feel pressure to submit your test scores. Trust me, asked for mine not to be reviewed. It does not negatively impact your application in any way! At the end of the road, you will come to know that college is ALL about fit. At Bowdoin you'll find a greater emphasis on collaboration over competition than you will at nearly any other school. Here, learning is an individualized process that truly focuses on shaping and making you into the best version of yourself. Whether you're an aspiring artist, athlete, doctor, or lawyer, at Bowdoin you will find a unique community to challenge and support you through everything that you go through. I chose Bowdoin because of the school's unwavering dedication to serving others; because I knew that no matter what I chose to pursue later in life, I would have the presence of a dedicated and kind community to support me. We have all of the facilities and resources expected of one of the top schools in the nation, but it's the people that go here that matter the most. P.S. Bowdoin has a Fly-In event available in September and November for prospective students and I highly recommend submitting an application for it! I was lucky enough to be chosen for the event and it made me fall in love with the school even more. Plus, you'll get the chance to see the legendary Bowdoin smile! Good luck and I hope to see you here next year!