Bowdoin College Admissions Profile, Graphs and Analysis

Overview

Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine and is spread over 200 acres near the shores of Casco Bay and the Androscoggin River (about 30 miles from Portland). The school has about 1,800 undergraduate students, and was recently voted one of the “Most Desirable Small Schools in America” by Newsweek. Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its reputation for academic excellence.

Bowdoin campus The school currently offers 33 majors and four minors. The most popular areas of study include political science and government, economics, biology/biological sciences, history, and English language and literature. Class sizes remain small, with a student to faculty ratio of nine to one. Approximately 66% of classes have less than 20 students. Freshmen are required to take a First Year Seminar which focuses on writing skills. There are other core classes with one course in each of the following disciplines: Natural Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, Visual and Performing Arts, International Perspectives, and Exploring Social Differences. Bowdoin is known for its challenging academics and it was also one of the first schools (in 1969 to be exact) to make SAT scores mostly optional for admissions.

Bowdoin Bowdoin College has earned a reputation for having one of the best college campuses in the country. The dining services have been ranked number one for many years. Incoming students are designated a “college house.” There are eight residences, and students remain loyal to their house throughout their four years. Although Greek organizations were banned in the 1990s, Bowdoin students report feeling a similar affiliation to their residences.

The college has also created a lively social atmosphere. There are more than 100 student organizations on campus. Bowdoin has an impressive legacy for literary pursuits. The student newspaper, “The Bowdoin Orient,” is the longest running college weekly in the country. Likewise, the literary magazine, “The Quill,” has been around since 1897. Another literary group, called the Peucinian Society, was founded in 1805. One of the most popular organizations among students is the Outing Club, which conducts more than 100 outdoor adventures every year in Maine. Although small in size, Bowdoin does offer a strong athletic presence. With more than 30 varsity teams, Bowdoin participates in the NCAA Division III and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

Bowdoin buildings Students looking for a small, intimate campus will enjoy Bowdoin’s environment. With strong academic courses and opportunities for internships and study-abroad programs, Bowdoin’s many advantages are hard to pass up. The high rankings the school receives also demonstrate how fond students are of the campus, dorms, and dining services. With devoted professors and small class sizes, Bowdoin helps to create a collaborative atmosphere where students can succeed during their undergraduate years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

Bowdoin acceptance rate

Class Standing

Bowdoin top 10% in high school

SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)

Bowdoin College SAT score range

ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)

Bowdoin College ACT test score

Application Deadlines

Early Decision (Round 1): Nov. 15

Early Decision (Round 2): Jan.1

Regular Decision: Jan. 1

Transfer admissions: Mar. 1

Admissions Information

Freshmen Admissions
Number of 2018 (Class of 2022) applicants: 9,081
Enrolled: 501
Yield: 51%
Acceptance rate: 10.3%

Early Decision Admissions
Number of 2018 (Class of 2022) ED applicants: 743
Admitted ED applicants: 246
Acceptance rate: 28%

Transfer Admissions
Number of transfer applicants: 201
Admitted transfer applicants: 5
Transfer acceptance rate: 2.5%

Grades
Average GPA: N/A
Top 10% of High School: 86%

Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 650-750
SAT Math: 640-760

Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 30-34
ACT English: 30-35
ACT Math: 28-33

Standardized Test Requirements

Bowdoin College is test optional for almost all applicants. (For all standardized tests!)

*Only home-schooled applicants and applicants from schools that provide written evaluations instead of grades are required to submit ACT test scores or SAT test scores and two or more SAT Subject Tests. (Bowdoin encourages such applicants to submit SAT Subject Tests for either Math Level 1 or Math Level 2 as well as a science.)

Score Card