Biggest differences are size (Universities like Tufts, Emory, Wash U, Tulane, Rice, Vanderbilt and then the Ivys with more like 5000-9000 undergrads adn then some grad schools) feel different than a smaller place like the NESCAC SLACs with no graduate schools. Also being in cities (Gtown and Tufts). The larger schools mostly seem to have a big Greek or Greek equilvalent social scene to help make the places seem smaller and more personal perhaps.

I have one kid at Midd and I went to Tufts. Very different feel at Middlebury, more close-knit campus community and my kid knows her professors much better than I ever did. Academically she works far far harder and is around far smarter kids than I was, but suspect that is more to do with evolution of all these schools to being more compeitive and full of better prepared students now.

At least from her HS, getting into Midd/Bowdoin/Williams/Amherst overall seemed harder than Tufts (somewhat, based on the what types of classes kids were taking in HS and how many were NMSFs). Georgetown from DC is super hard to get into unless a faculty/employee kid, those have preference and seem to take up most of the spots for local kids, at least according to my DDs college guidance counselor.

How would one compare the experience of attending Bowdoin (or similar LAC like Williams) with a highly selective, non-ivy mid-sized university like Tufts (or Georgetown)? Most helpful if anyone has kids who attended one of each or similar close experience. Thanks.

DS visited and just felt the vibe on the campus--- incredible academics, good racial and international diversity, no Greek, great location, very engaging interview, campus-wide commitment to the local community, delicious food, spacious dorms, research and thesis opportunities, close relationships and mentoring with professors (DS is headed toward Ph.D in field of interest), loved Brunswick. It all came together.

DS visited many peer institutions. Ivies (including parent's alma mater) and many top SLAC.

Anonymous wrote:My DC is applying there early decision this year and loves this school!

What is is about the school that sold your DC? Location? Specific major? Great experiences from others who have attended?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That 1%, however, tends to be the well-connected, well-heeled part of the population. As in the 1%.

Yawn.

I'm not saying that it's admirable that Bowdoin is an outpost of the He-Man Capitalist Boys' Club. I'm just saying that if you're looking for a place that creates movers and shakers, Bowdoin is one of them. It educates the sort of people who talk about "Our sort of people," or at least think in those terms. Not exclusively, or even predominantly. The people I know who went there went to good grad and professional schools and now have do-goody careers and are lovely people. A lot of their fellow alums are bankers and lawyers who use "summer" as a verb.

Anonymous wrote:My DC is applying there early decision this year and loves this school!

It's a wonderful school, my DC's best friend is about to graduate. And is certainly not a member of the 1%. Bowdoin has diversity on all levels and is located on a beautiful campus. DC2 is planning to apply.

Good luck to your DC, PP.

How diverse is the campus? (Don't answer unless you have current first-hand information, not from years ago)

My DC is applying there early decision this year and loves this school!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With very few exceptions, schools become well known either because they have many very famous alumnae or prominent sports programs. Bowdoin, like many schools, has neither.

People interested in SLACS will surely come across Bowdoin, but it is probably known to less than 1% of the population

That 1%, however, tends to be the well-connected, well-heeled part of the population. As in the 1%.

Yup

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With very few exceptions, schools become well known either because they have many very famous alumnae or prominent sports programs. Bowdoin, like many schools, has neither.

People interested in SLACS will surely come across Bowdoin, but it is probably known to less than 1% of the population

That 1%, however, tends to be the well-connected, well-heeled part of the population. As in the 1%.

Yawn.

Anonymous wrote:With very few exceptions, schools become well known either because they have many very famous alumnae or prominent sports programs. Bowdoin, like many schools, has neither.

People interested in SLACS will surely come across Bowdoin, but it is probably known to less than 1% of the population

That 1%, however, tends to be the well-connected, well-heeled part of the population. As in the 1%.

With very few exceptions, schools become well known either because they have many very famous alumnae or prominent sports programs. Bowdoin, like many schools, has neither.

People interested in SLACS will surely come across Bowdoin, but it is probably known to less than 1% of the population

I thought it came across as neutral. Translation: Realistically, most people don't spend any time thinking about Bowdoin. So make your own choice based on your own criteria, secure in the knowledge that most people won't judge your kid one way or another simple because s/he attended (or didn't attend) Bowdoin.

It's not a nobody-ever-heard-of-it claim -- it's a not the kind of school that random people with no affiliation to it would be likely to have strong opinion of or reaction to.

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is less about the fact that a pp hasn't considered the school and more the way a pp makes that statement. When I reread the statement, I realize that its abruptness might just be a statement of fact (as in I never really thought about it before) but it initially came across as dismissive (as in I couldn't be bothered to think about that pathetic school).

+1

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is less about the fact that a pp hasn't considered the school and more the way a pp makes that statement. When I reread the statement, I realize that its abruptness might just be a statement of fact (as in I never really thought about it before) but it initially came across as dismissive (as in I couldn't be bothered to think about that pathetic school).

+1 -- it came across as both dismissive and rather self-absorbed (well, if I haven't heard of Bowdoin, then it certainly can't be all that)