The type of student who thrives at Conn College vs. Bowdoin

[Anonymous]

With respect to nature, Conn's arboretum has received national recognition:

www.collegerank.net https://www.collegerank.net/most-beautiful-college-arboretums/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My senior likes both from the limited visit time and extensive virtual exploration. As ED deadlines loom, is anyone able to weigh in with personal experience at one or the other? And yes, my senior and I know that selectivity-wise, they are drastically different schools, and Bowdoin is a significant reach. Still, would love to hear about the type of student who seems to fit at either. Thanks in advance.

Do not recommend an ED application to any “significant reach.” Should really be high Target/low reach. More than low reach nd you are wasting an application — and your ED card.

Honestly this is kind of a worthless post - the truth is the Bowdoin is a reach for everyone and not high target for anyone. It’s a tough admit. If your student loves it, why not apply ed and have the hope they’re selected. They have to choose some from the highly qualified pool of applicants they get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster but interested in this discussion since my student is interested in Conn. He may want to do botany and their campus and program can’t be beat for that, but he’s a little worried about social fit since it seems sporty, and he is not an athlete. He’s more nerdy, quirky, loves DnD, anime, singing, art and nature. Straight and would like the possibility of a dating life, so he doesn’t mind the high female-male ratio, but he also wants to be able to have guy friends. Are most of the men at Conn sporty types involved in their teams? Could it be a fit for a non-sporty guy who does want male friendships that center more around outdoor/nerdy pursuits?

Have a non-sporty student at Conn who sounds very much like your student and is thriving with lots of friends who are into art, nature, anime, etc. I think your student would fit in perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Connecticut College will have a much larger feel and with a national championship in basketball a lot of school spirit.

You’re thinking of UConn. Different school.

yup, why do clueless ppl even comment?

[Anonymous]

Have current student at Conn (Bio major). I'd recommend visiting both. My child much preferred area (and weather) of New London/Mystic and Groton vs. Brunswick, ME. Big difference for our family is that Conn offered merit money (not just a meets needs school) and Bowdoin and many other NESCAC's do not. FWIW, when we toured both campuses - they appeared to both have welcoming communities for all kiddos (sporty, artsy, nature loving, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have current student at Conn (Bio major). I'd recommend visiting both. My child much preferred area (and weather) of New London/Mystic and Groton vs. Brunswick, ME. Big difference for our family is that Conn offered merit money (not just a meets needs school) and Bowdoin and many other NESCAC's do not. FWIW, when we toured both campuses - they appeared to both have welcoming communities for all kiddos (sporty, artsy, nature loving, etc).

Np here. Dc who is being recruited there. Can you tell me about the culture? Does it have sporty kids? Mostly Kids from the northeast?

[Anonymous]

I don't think that Conn is as far left as Bowdoin is.

[Anonymous]

Np here. Dc who is being recruited there. Can you tell me about the culture? Does it have sporty kids? Mostly Kids from the northeast?

My child is actually a student-athlete at Conn and has teammates from all over the US. Although there are many from MA, NY, and CT, my child has made friends outside this region and has quite of few from mid-west/West Coast. Conn, like other NESCAC's, has its share of sporty kids, but child is also involved with many academic and non-sports related interests (bonus of Div 3) so has met a good share of friends outside of the team itself. My impression is that any of the NESCAC's are more similar than different having multiple family members attend other colleges in this conference. My child was particularly drawn to team, coach, and coastal vibe (meaning more beach than mountains and more moderate temps than Maine or Vermont).

[Anonymous]

I do not find Bowdoin students that impressive post covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have current student at Conn (Bio major). I'd recommend visiting both. My child much preferred area (and weather) of New London/Mystic and Groton vs. Brunswick, ME. Big difference for our family is that Conn offered merit money (not just a meets needs school) and Bowdoin and many other NESCAC's do not. FWIW, when we toured both campuses - they appeared to both have welcoming communities for all kiddos (sporty, artsy, nature loving, etc).

Np here. Dc who is being recruited there. Can you tell me about the culture? Does it have sporty kids? Mostly Kids from the northeast?

I’m another poster with an athlete at Conn. Definitely most kids are from the Northeast; I think Bowdoin has a higher percentage of kids from outside the region. The coastal setting of Conn is really nice. Beautiful view from the track, and the XC course is right on the beach. The schools are more alike than different, and while Bowdoin is more prestigious, the merit aid that Conn offers is appealing. If your kid is an athlete, team vibe and the coach also matter. Have them stay overnight with a team member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that Conn is as far left as Bowdoin is.

Our kid is at Bowdoin and most kids are left center, not far left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not find Bowdoin students that impressive post covid.

We've seen just the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My senior likes both from the limited visit time and extensive virtual exploration. As ED deadlines loom, is anyone able to weigh in with personal experience at one or the other? And yes, my senior and I know that selectivity-wise, they are drastically different schools, and Bowdoin is a significant reach. Still, would love to hear about the type of student who seems to fit at either. Thanks in advance.

No doubt your child would get a great education at either school. However, it is hard to compete with the quality of life at Bowdoin. Dorms are incredibly spacious and the food is exceptional. Our daughter graduated in '24 and loved the food. Grabbing a meal at Bowdoin was not just about eating, it was very social. Additionally, Bowdoin's endowment is $2.9 billion whereas Connecticut College is less than $500m.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academically, consider Connecticut College for fields such as botany, international studies, art, English and dance.

Thank you. Bio/enviro is the focus right now but it could change, so this is helpful.

I would include general biology as one of Conn's stronger programs.

[Anonymous]

Conn kids looked painfully preppy to me.