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 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 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 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.

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

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

You should visit BOTH!

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?

This is the OP, and if I changed a few of the details (sporty and DnD, but art and nature too), this would fit my student, so we might make one last visit to Conn before the 15th. Thanks.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Bowdoin: friendly, gets excited knowing Mr everyone and likes it very tight knit, outdoorsy and adventurous, athletic, and into the environment is probably the perfect fit.

Thanks so much.

Anonymous wrote:Athletes are drawn to Bowdin. Deep physicists are more the Conn type

While high school athletes who want to continue their sport are certainly present at Bowdoin College, deep physicists are not found on the campus of Connecticut College (unless this is a hidden joke that I'm missing).

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.

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?

They're not. I think he'd fit in really well and be happy with both friendships and dating prospects.

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?

I’d recommend not ED’ing unless you can visit this weekend. My s23 had a first choice school to go visit, and after being on campus for about 15 minutes it was crossed off the list. If you can go visit 1 of these and it’s wonderful (no what-ifs) and his essays are done, then go for it. Don’t worry about people posting about “stronger academically” stuff- just browse through the faculty website of the department your son is interested in and see if it looks like a good fit. At Conn, the faculty are great- plenty of faculty from U Penn, Notre Dame, etc, all strong programs. People outside of higher ed don’t realize how competitive tenure track faculty jobs are, and that they’ll get very highly qualified, smart professors even at small LACs outside the T100.

Athletes are drawn to Bowdin. Deep physicists are more the Conn type