How did Bowdoin acceptance rate become so low?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a freshman at Bowdoin who grew up in a major city on the west coast. We researched every top 40 LAC focusing on academic offerings (majors, core curriculum requirements, research opportunities for STEM majors, class sizes, access to professors, ability to double or triple major), student life (residential life, dining halls, diversity of student body, access to clubs and organizations etc), career center/internship opportunities, local community and access to urban areas.

He applied to 20 LACs and was incredibly lucky (it’s all luck) to be accepted to 11 and chose Bowdoin.

Bowdoin has exceeded our expectations! Every LAC really offers amazing academics, but to us, this is what makes Bowdoin special:

- the kind, welcoming, and supportive student body (not competitive at all!) starts with numerous opportunities to meet new students at orientation and many social activities the first weeks of school
- the school spirit and pride (walk across campus and every other student is wearing a Bowdoin sweatshirt)
- amazing dining hall meals with incredible staff (food quality is extremely important for his overall happiness)
- access to outstanding classes (1st semester he got all 4 classes he wanted including the Intro to AI class that had only 32 students!
- resources unmatched to other LACs including every student receives their own computer and ipad as part of tuition (allows all students to begin with the same foundational resources)
- career center that is accessible, they have a require sophomore boot camp in January, plus there’s money available for students who chose an unpaid summer internship
- the residential halls are exceptional. He has a double that has a separate bedroom and living room. And then there’s also a lounge outside his room.
- the Schiller Coastal Studies institute on 2.5 miles of Maine coast and the base for college’s environmental studies program is unmatched
- Portland (35 mins) is an amazing small city with a foodie culture scene
- Boston (easy 2.5 hours by train) is available when Brunswick feels a little slow and he can go see a Bruins or Red Socks game.

Downsides? No college is “perfect”. The weather is not as bad as he thought it would be, but darkness at 4 pm is a tough. He misses ethnic food and the diversity of an urban area, but that’s the exchange to go to a LAC.

Lastly, our other DC is at one of the Claremont Colleges and very active academically and socially across the 5cs. Those are also amazing colleges too, but the exceedingly competitive nature of Pomona students was an unfortunate surprise.

Bowdoin College is an incredible place to spend four years. We feel so lucky our DS is a Polar Bear!

As a Pomona parent, this is news to me. In a nice way, did your child get rejected from a consulting club? Because, there’s very little at the 5Cs one could “compete” for in the first place. It is a very difficult school, and I think that gets downplayed, but students are always working together on problem sets, the school invests a ton into “mentor sessions” for STEM classes, and the culture is laid back. The first thing my daughter is doing when she lands at ONT is going to the beach with friends.

I didn’t notice competitive behavior during my tours at either college. Much more relaxed compared to Williams.

I’ve got a Bowdoin student and close friend’s kid is at Pomona. Both kids so happy.

[Anonymous]

I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowdoin's selectivity may have come on a bit in very recent years. In the 2021 U.S. News guidebook (published in 2020), for example, Bowdoin tied for 8th by Selectivity Rank. For context, this is how the top 22 schools appeared:

︎1. Pomona
2. Harvey Mudd
2. Haverford
4. Amherst
5. Hamilton
5. Swarthmore
5. Williams
8. Barnard
8. Bowdoin
10. Washington & Lee
11. Wellesley
12. Colorado College
12. Smith
12. Vassar
15. Carleton
16. Colby
17. Colgate
17. Davidson
19. Claremont McKenna
19. Grinnell
19. Middlebury
19. Wesleyan

Colorado College was doing nicely at that time in relation to its overall rank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

People were interested in your experience, not combatting it. What about it was competitive is the question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

This seems like you’re backing out. It’s the only other college you mentioned in those paragraphs of text on Bowdoin. People rightfully questioned why you believe Pomona to be competitive, because you didn’t describe anything. If you want to contribute productively to the form, qualify your statements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a freshman at Bowdoin who grew up in a major city on the west coast. We researched every top 40 LAC focusing on academic offerings (majors, core curriculum requirements, research opportunities for STEM majors, class sizes, access to professors, ability to double or triple major), student life (residential life, dining halls, diversity of student body, access to clubs and organizations etc), career center/internship opportunities, local community and access to urban areas.

He applied to 20 LACs and was incredibly lucky (it’s all luck) to be accepted to 11 and chose Bowdoin.

Bowdoin has exceeded our expectations! Every LAC really offers amazing academics, but to us, this is what makes Bowdoin special:

- the kind, welcoming, and supportive student body (not competitive at all!) starts with numerous opportunities to meet new students at orientation and many social activities the first weeks of school
- the school spirit and pride (walk across campus and every other student is wearing a Bowdoin sweatshirt)
- amazing dining hall meals with incredible staff (food quality is extremely important for his overall happiness)
- access to outstanding classes (1st semester he got all 4 classes he wanted including the Intro to AI class that had only 32 students!
- resources unmatched to other LACs including every student receives their own computer and ipad as part of tuition (allows all students to begin with the same foundational resources)
- career center that is accessible, they have a require sophomore boot camp in January, plus there’s money available for students who chose an unpaid summer internship
- the residential halls are exceptional. He has a double that has a separate bedroom and living room. And then there’s also a lounge outside his room.
- the Schiller Coastal Studies institute on 2.5 miles of Maine coast and the base for college’s environmental studies program is unmatched
- Portland (35 mins) is an amazing small city with a foodie culture scene
- Boston (easy 2.5 hours by train) is available when Brunswick feels a little slow and he can go see a Bruins or Red Socks game.

Downsides? No college is “perfect”. The weather is not as bad as he thought it would be, but darkness at 4 pm is a tough. He misses ethnic food and the diversity of an urban area, but that’s the exchange to go to a LAC.

Lastly, our other DC is at one of the Claremont Colleges and very active academically and socially across the 5cs. Those are also amazing colleges too, but the exceedingly competitive nature of Pomona students was an unfortunate surprise.

Bowdoin College is an incredible place to spend four years. We feel so lucky our DS is a Polar Bear!

As a Pomona parent, this is news to me. In a nice way, did your child get rejected from a consulting club? Because, there’s very little at the 5Cs one could “compete” for in the first place. It is a very difficult school, and I think that gets downplayed, but students are always working together on problem sets, the school invests a ton into “mentor sessions” for STEM classes, and the culture is laid back. The first thing my daughter is doing when she lands at ONT is going to the beach with friends.

You’re biased. It’s an insanely competitive school. Everyone wants a Stanford or Harvard PhD offer or to get a consulting gig. 50% of the college majors in Computer Science, Economics, Neuroscience, or Politics and it’s disgustingly lacking in academic diversity. The kids all want fellowships to Cambridge or a Fulbright. It’s a literal hell college. Don’t go!

+1, news on the street is that apps are down 50% while Bowdoin is soaring! It’s obvious Pomona can’t compete.

Glad you have so much free time to write a useless post like this. FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

Ignore the haters, Bowdoin parent! Have a great weekend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

Ignore the haters, Bowdoin parent! Have a great weekend!

No one gave them hate. Such a sensitive group.

[Anonymous]

Why can’t we all just go along and agree that neither Bowdoin or Pomona are competitive? Steer this ship correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the parent who stated their son experienced competitive behavior at Pomona. I was not the one to replied with the comments above.

My comment wasn’t meant to raise any negativity. Pomona is a fantastic college. There are numerous fantastic LACs!

My son’s experience is just one student’s experience and it might have been in just the classes he took at Pomona. I’m sure many classes and students are talented and kind. But he just didn’t like what he experienced. And that’s just him.

Just as my other son’s Bowdoin’s experience is his own too.

These comments are not a “universal fact”. It’s just one opinion.

Please respect everyone’s opinions. Do your own research. What matters to your student and your family is your own. And please be kind on this board. I think we are all hoping every student and every family has a great college experience.

Thank you

This seems like you’re backing out. It’s the only other college you mentioned in those paragraphs of text on Bowdoin. People rightfully questioned why you believe Pomona to be competitive, because you didn’t describe anything. If you want to contribute productively to the form, qualify your statements.

Students at Pomona all want to be a Pomona scholar which requires a 3.9+ gpa every semester. There’s constant conversation about who does and doesn’t have a 4.0 and you can’t apply to certain clubs (Model UN and Mock Trial) without a 4.0. The school awards a prize to the students who have a 4.0 every semester and students are ALL working to the bone for it. Conventional advice is a
<3.85 gpa and you cannot apply for fellowships/professors won’t recommend you to graduate schools. Econ courses are curved to a B-, and students work alone, because they cannot risk a student doing better than them. Women math students are all competing with each other in order to get approval to apply for the Schafer Prize. Career center won’t offer graduate school advice if GPA isn’t at least 3.7. The list goes on and on!

+1, I’ve heard similar from parents. We took it off our list really early, because our tour guide was smiling but the students nearly ran into us they were so serious.

[Anonymous]

What is this thread even about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is this thread even about?

Bowdoin. School in Maine. Near lobster. Mamdani's alma mater. Otherwise rich waspy kids and/or athletes. Good food. Cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a freshman at Bowdoin who grew up in a major city on the west coast. We researched every top 40 LAC focusing on academic offerings (majors, core curriculum requirements, research opportunities for STEM majors, class sizes, access to professors, ability to double or triple major), student life (residential life, dining halls, diversity of student body, access to clubs and organizations etc), career center/internship opportunities, local community and access to urban areas.

He applied to 20 LACs and was incredibly lucky (it’s all luck) to be accepted to 11 and chose Bowdoin.

Bowdoin has exceeded our expectations! Every LAC really offers amazing academics, but to us, this is what makes Bowdoin special:

- the kind, welcoming, and supportive student body (not competitive at all!) starts with numerous opportunities to meet new students at orientation and many social activities the first weeks of school
- the school spirit and pride (walk across campus and every other student is wearing a Bowdoin sweatshirt)
- amazing dining hall meals with incredible staff (food quality is extremely important for his overall happiness)
- access to outstanding classes (1st semester he got all 4 classes he wanted including the Intro to AI class that had only 32 students!
- resources unmatched to other LACs including every student receives their own computer and ipad as part of tuition (allows all students to begin with the same foundational resources)
- career center that is accessible, they have a require sophomore boot camp in January, plus there’s money available for students who chose an unpaid summer internship
- the residential halls are exceptional. He has a double that has a separate bedroom and living room. And then there’s also a lounge outside his room.
- the Schiller Coastal Studies institute on 2.5 miles of Maine coast and the base for college’s environmental studies program is unmatched
- Portland (35 mins) is an amazing small city with a foodie culture scene
- Boston (easy 2.5 hours by train) is available when Brunswick feels a little slow and he can go see a Bruins or Red Socks game.

Downsides? No college is “perfect”. The weather is not as bad as he thought it would be, but darkness at 4 pm is a tough. He misses ethnic food and the diversity of an urban area, but that’s the exchange to go to a LAC.

Lastly, our other DC is at one of the Claremont Colleges and very active academically and socially across the 5cs. Those are also amazing colleges too, but the exceedingly competitive nature of Pomona students was an unfortunate surprise.

Bowdoin College is an incredible place to spend four years. We feel so lucky our DS is a Polar Bear!

As a Pomona parent, this is news to me. In a nice way, did your child get rejected from a consulting club? Because, there’s very little at the 5Cs one could “compete” for in the first place. It is a very difficult school, and I think that gets downplayed, but students are always working together on problem sets, the school invests a ton into “mentor sessions” for STEM classes, and the culture is laid back. The first thing my daughter is doing when she lands at ONT is going to the beach with friends.

what beach? there's not coast anywhere near pomona or the other c's. claremont is in the inland empire and it's at least an hour or more to DTLA much less malibu or santa monica.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a freshman at Bowdoin who grew up in a major city on the west coast. We researched every top 40 LAC focusing on academic offerings (majors, core curriculum requirements, research opportunities for STEM majors, class sizes, access to professors, ability to double or triple major), student life (residential life, dining halls, diversity of student body, access to clubs and organizations etc), career center/internship opportunities, local community and access to urban areas.

He applied to 20 LACs and was incredibly lucky (it’s all luck) to be accepted to 11 and chose Bowdoin.

Bowdoin has exceeded our expectations! Every LAC really offers amazing academics, but to us, this is what makes Bowdoin special:

- the kind, welcoming, and supportive student body (not competitive at all!) starts with numerous opportunities to meet new students at orientation and many social activities the first weeks of school
- the school spirit and pride (walk across campus and every other student is wearing a Bowdoin sweatshirt)
- amazing dining hall meals with incredible staff (food quality is extremely important for his overall happiness)
- access to outstanding classes (1st semester he got all 4 classes he wanted including the Intro to AI class that had only 32 students!
- resources unmatched to other LACs including every student receives their own computer and ipad as part of tuition (allows all students to begin with the same foundational resources)
- career center that is accessible, they have a require sophomore boot camp in January, plus there’s money available for students who chose an unpaid summer internship
- the residential halls are exceptional. He has a double that has a separate bedroom and living room. And then there’s also a lounge outside his room.
- the Schiller Coastal Studies institute on 2.5 miles of Maine coast and the base for college’s environmental studies program is unmatched
- Portland (35 mins) is an amazing small city with a foodie culture scene
- Boston (easy 2.5 hours by train) is available when Brunswick feels a little slow and he can go see a Bruins or Red Socks game.

Downsides? No college is “perfect”. The weather is not as bad as he thought it would be, but darkness at 4 pm is a tough. He misses ethnic food and the diversity of an urban area, but that’s the exchange to go to a LAC.

Lastly, our other DC is at one of the Claremont Colleges and very active academically and socially across the 5cs. Those are also amazing colleges too, but the exceedingly competitive nature of Pomona students was an unfortunate surprise.

Bowdoin College is an incredible place to spend four years. We feel so lucky our DS is a Polar Bear!

As a Pomona parent, this is news to me. In a nice way, did your child get rejected from a consulting club? Because, there’s very little at the 5Cs one could “compete” for in the first place. It is a very difficult school, and I think that gets downplayed, but students are always working together on problem sets, the school invests a ton into “mentor sessions” for STEM classes, and the culture is laid back. The first thing my daughter is doing when she lands at ONT is going to the beach with friends.

what beach? there's not coast anywhere near pomona or the other c's. claremont is in the inland empire and it's at least an hour or more to DTLA much less malibu or santa monica.

In 2026, we have motor vehicles. It’s actually how most of the region gets around. Some are even electric! Hour over to Huntington. They have the day off so they can hit up another OC beach if they want. She goes to concerts in LA, beaches in OC, short day trips in chino hills and Pasadena, and various other events. Her advisor lives in Hollywood. It’s far, but western US has everything spread out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a freshman at Bowdoin who grew up in a major city on the west coast. We researched every top 40 LAC focusing on academic offerings (majors, core curriculum requirements, research opportunities for STEM majors, class sizes, access to professors, ability to double or triple major), student life (residential life, dining halls, diversity of student body, access to clubs and organizations etc), career center/internship opportunities, local community and access to urban areas.

He applied to 20 LACs and was incredibly lucky (it’s all luck) to be accepted to 11 and chose Bowdoin.

Bowdoin has exceeded our expectations! Every LAC really offers amazing academics, but to us, this is what makes Bowdoin special:

- the kind, welcoming, and supportive student body (not competitive at all!) starts with numerous opportunities to meet new students at orientation and many social activities the first weeks of school
- the school spirit and pride (walk across campus and every other student is wearing a Bowdoin sweatshirt)
- amazing dining hall meals with incredible staff (food quality is extremely important for his overall happiness)
- access to outstanding classes (1st semester he got all 4 classes he wanted including the Intro to AI class that had only 32 students!
- resources unmatched to other LACs including every student receives their own computer and ipad as part of tuition (allows all students to begin with the same foundational resources)
- career center that is accessible, they have a require sophomore boot camp in January, plus there’s money available for students who chose an unpaid summer internship
- the residential halls are exceptional. He has a double that has a separate bedroom and living room. And then there’s also a lounge outside his room.
- the Schiller Coastal Studies institute on 2.5 miles of Maine coast and the base for college’s environmental studies program is unmatched
- Portland (35 mins) is an amazing small city with a foodie culture scene
- Boston (easy 2.5 hours by train) is available when Brunswick feels a little slow and he can go see a Bruins or Red Socks game.

Downsides? No college is “perfect”. The weather is not as bad as he thought it would be, but darkness at 4 pm is a tough. He misses ethnic food and the diversity of an urban area, but that’s the exchange to go to a LAC.

Lastly, our other DC is at one of the Claremont Colleges and very active academically and socially across the 5cs. Those are also amazing colleges too, but the exceedingly competitive nature of Pomona students was an unfortunate surprise.

Bowdoin College is an incredible place to spend four years. We feel so lucky our DS is a Polar Bear!

As a Pomona parent, this is news to me. In a nice way, did your child get rejected from a consulting club? Because, there’s very little at the 5Cs one could “compete” for in the first place. It is a very difficult school, and I think that gets downplayed, but students are always working together on problem sets, the school invests a ton into “mentor sessions” for STEM classes, and the culture is laid back. The first thing my daughter is doing when she lands at ONT is going to the beach with friends.

I didn’t notice competitive behavior during my tours at either college. Much more relaxed compared to Williams.

I’ve got a Bowdoin student and close friend’s kid is at Pomona. Both kids so happy.

Made up huckster