Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 07:12     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:ED helps for sure. If you know you want a slac, it would be stupid to only apply RD.


You can delve into the data, but even after you subtract athletes, the admissions rate is still higher. Secondly, applying ED signals that it’s your first choice and if you are deferred, gives you a slightly better shot within the regular RD pool.


THIS. Bowdoin is known to deger and then accept in RD.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 06:43     Subject: Re:advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s interesting. Traditionally, Bowdoin accepted 20-30% of ED applicants, accepting 26.46% just 3 years ago. Something changed in the last two years, with the number dropping significantly. It’ll be interesting to see if the trend continues.

https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/early-decision-early-action/bowdoin-college-early-decision-admission-statistics/


Here’s the most logical answer. Bowdoin went need blind for international students in 2027, coinciding with the drop in the ED acceptance rate. Their huge increase in ED applicants is from needy international students. It’s already been pointed out here that their acceptance rate for internationals is around 1.4%. There’s your answer.


*obviously not in 2027, but for the class of 2027 (the class entering in 2023).
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 06:19     Subject: Re:advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:It’s interesting. Traditionally, Bowdoin accepted 20-30% of ED applicants, accepting 26.46% just 3 years ago. Something changed in the last two years, with the number dropping significantly. It’ll be interesting to see if the trend continues.

https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/early-decision-early-action/bowdoin-college-early-decision-admission-statistics/


Here’s the most logical answer. Bowdoin went need blind for international students in 2027, coinciding with the drop in the ED acceptance rate. Their huge increase in ED applicants is from needy international students. It’s already been pointed out here that their acceptance rate for internationals is around 1.4%. There’s your answer.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 06:07     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
My kid was advised that EDing to Swarthmore was a disadvantage as a non athlete needing FA but not Questbridge and not URM. Thing is, SOME kids who don’t fit these metrics do get in ED, so if school is really your kid’s fav and is a good fit, seems worth taking the chance. Fortunately worked for us (but DC is def a good fit for Swat).
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 05:07     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!


I have an unhooked Midd kid starting in the fall too. Definite ED bump vs Bowdoin. Our DS preferred Mid over Bowdoin; preferred mountains over the Maine coast.


Last year, Middlebury admitted 519 early, and Bowdoin admitted 296. Statistically, a lot more spots at Middlebury if you go ED.


And Bowdoin has more ED applicants: 2000 vs. 1341.


Are you trying to add to the conversation? If you are you are failing.



Is the simple math beyond you? Bowdoin: 296 out of 2000, Midd 519 out of 1341. 14% vs. 38% ED acceptance rate.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 04:42     Subject: Re:advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
It’s interesting. Traditionally, Bowdoin accepted 20-30% of ED applicants, accepting 26.46% just 3 years ago. Something changed in the last two years, with the number dropping significantly. It’ll be interesting to see if the trend continues.

https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/early-decision-early-action/bowdoin-college-early-decision-admission-statistics/
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 20:55     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!


I have an unhooked Midd kid starting in the fall too. Definite ED bump vs Bowdoin. Our DS preferred Mid over Bowdoin; preferred mountains over the Maine coast.


Last year, Middlebury admitted 519 early, and Bowdoin admitted 296. Statistically, a lot more spots at Middlebury if you go ED.


And Bowdoin has more ED applicants: 2000 vs. 1341.


Are you trying to add to the conversation? If you are you are failing.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 20:47     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!


I have an unhooked Midd kid starting in the fall too. Definite ED bump vs Bowdoin. Our DS preferred Mid over Bowdoin; preferred mountains over the Maine coast.


Last year, Middlebury admitted 519 early, and Bowdoin admitted 296. Statistically, a lot more spots at Middlebury if you go ED.


And Bowdoin has more ED applicants: 2000 vs. 1341.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:41     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:ED helps for sure. If you know you want a slac, it would be stupid to only apply RD.


You can delve into the data, but even after you subtract athletes, the admissions rate is still higher. Secondly, applying ED signals that it’s your first choice and if you are deferred, gives you a slightly better shot within the regular RD pool.


Where is your data source where you can take out athletes?


You can use the EADA database to find the number of athletes at a school. Gives you a decent starting point.
https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:24     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!


I have an unhooked Midd kid starting in the fall too. Definite ED bump vs Bowdoin. Our DS preferred Mid over Bowdoin; preferred mountains over the Maine coast.


Last year, Middlebury admitted 519 early, and Bowdoin admitted 296. Statistically, a lot more spots at Middlebury if you go ED.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:13     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!


I have an unhooked Midd kid starting in the fall too. Definite ED bump vs Bowdoin. Our DS preferred Mid over Bowdoin; preferred mountains over the Maine coast.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:09     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


Out of curiosity, what were stats?

dd 28 was around 3.98/4.3 public, highest rigor, 33 act, 12 APs mostly 5s, school level leadership and awards

ds 30 was 3.7/3.9 private, highest rigor with no APs and test optional, school level leadership

difference in gpa was just public vs private way of grading and weighting, both had 2 Bs and the rest As, multi sport but not recruited, team captains, camp counselor jobs and lots of volunteering
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:08     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:ED helps for sure. If you know you want a slac, it would be stupid to only apply RD.


You can delve into the data, but even after you subtract athletes, the admissions rate is still higher. Secondly, applying ED signals that it’s your first choice and if you are deferred, gives you a slightly better shot within the regular RD pool.


Where is your data source where you can take out athletes?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:06     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:My kids a junior and, so far, really likes the LACs we've seen including Bowdoin and Middlebury. Prefers them over the medium and large schools we've seen. Touring Williams, Colgate, Hamilton, etc this February break.

Kid is not an athlete and only hook is coming from a good private.

Wondering if there's any use in trying to discern a favorite for ED purposes. Or doing the opposite - reminding kid that there's no advantage to EDing if not an athlete so let's keep our hearts open.

But truth is, I dont know if there is or is not an advantage to EDing to these schools as a non-athlete. Not concerned with getting into the Hamilton-tier schools. Naviance makes those look pretty safe. Student has stats, grades, pointing interest with national awards .. the application will be strong in time for an ED. I just don't know if it's worth it for the most competitive places like Williams and Bowdoin.



Not what you asked but we just looked at some of these schools in case this is helpful:
Bowdoin - We had toured for older kid who was not interested because too remote. Younger kid wanted remote so that would have been a plus, but it is so hard to get into that we didn't prioritize visiting again
Williams - never visited for same reason
Middlebury - LOVED LOVED LOVED it
Colgate - ruled it out on paper because too fratty, so never visited. The Hamilton admission office asked us if we were going to visit Colgate (!), so apparently we were in the minority not to.
Hamilton - liked it but not in love with it

Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 19:00     Subject: advice from 2029 to 2030 regarding LAC
Anonymous wrote:As the parent of two non-recruited kids who got into Midd ED for class of 28 and 30, I believe there is an ED bump. Bowdoin is very hard to get into ED due to its size, popularity, and athletic recruiting, I wonder if RD is easier there.


I also have an incoming unhooked Midd kid admitted ED1 in December. I agree with you. How awesome for you to have two kids at the same school!