Bowdoin College
Brunswick, United States
- Cost of Living$ 17,280
- Tuition Fee From$ 53,418
- Country Rank#378
- Batch Strength1,951
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine, United States. It was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States. After being chartered in 1794 by Massachusetts State Legislature. It was named after the Massachusetts governor, James Bowdoin. He Bowdoin started to grow in the 1820s, a decade in which U.S. President Franklin Pierce graduated and Maine gained independence as a result of the Missouri Compromise. The two writers Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne, both literary philosophers, also received degrees from the college.
The college has a strong emphasis on undergraduate education, with a small student body and a low student-to-faculty ratio. Bowdoin offers a wide range of academic programmes, including majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. There are 43 majors and 45 minors offered within 23 departments of the college. It also has several joint engineering programmes with other universities like Columbia, Caltech, Dartmouth College and the University of Maine.
The college was a founder partner of both the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium, an athletic conference with Bates College and Colby College, and its athletic conference, the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Over 30 varsity teams compete at Bowdoin.
The college is known for its strong commitment to diversity, sustainability, and community engagement. The campus is located in coastal Maine and its location provides many opportunities for students to engage in outdoor activities such as sailing, hiking, and skiing.
Ranking
US News and World Report of 2024 placed the university at #9 in National Liberal Arts College. The same publication ranked the university at #9 in Best Value Schools. We see the university being placed at the #19 in Most Innovative Colleges and lastly, #67 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. Find other rankings below:
- #56 - Best Colleges In Nation - College Factual 2024
- #1 - Best Colleges In Maine - College Factual 2024
- #4 - Best Liberal Arts Colleges In America - Niche 2024
- #29 - Best Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #28 - Best Value Colleges in America - Niche 2024
Course Wise Rankings given by Niche in 2024:
- #24 - Best Colleges for Political Science in America
- #34 - Best Colleges for Biology in America
- #33 - Best Colleges for Philosophy in America
- #50 - Best Colleges for Economics in America
- #28 - Best Colleges for Anthropology and Sociology in America
- #25 - Best Colleges for History in America
- #19 - Best Colleges for Environmental Science in America
- #14 - Best Colleges for Religious Studies in America
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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Facilities
Bowdoin College has a variety of facilities available to students, including academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and recreational spaces. Some notable facilities at the college include:
- The David Saul Smith Union, which serves as the centre of student life on campus and includes a variety of amenities such as a food court, bookstore, and student organisation offices.
- The Walker Art Building, which houses the college's art museum and art studios.
- The Studzinski Recital Hall, which is a state-of-the-art performance space for music and theatre events.
- The Farley Field House, which features an indoor track, swimming pool, and fitness centre.
- The Sidney J. Watson Arena, which serves as the home for the college's ice hockey and basketball teams.
- The Bowdoin College Coastal Studies Center, which is located on a nearby island and is used for research and educational programs related to coastal ecology and marine biology.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
Bowdoin College acceptance rate for international students is 9% only. It is among the top 2% of the most difficult universities to gain admission into. Nevertheless, students should not lose hope and apply with over-achieved grades and scores.
Bowdoin College maintained a consistently low acceptance rate of 11.99% over the past decade. It further decreased to 9.19% in 2023. This stringent acceptance policy makes it challenging for applicants to gain admission. Additionally, the average enrollment rate (yield) stands at 53.55%, with a notable increase to 58.93% in 2023. Despite a slight decline in the number of applicants by 0.55% (51 applicants) compared to the previous year, Bowdoin College remains highly competitive.
Entry Requirements
Whether you're a first-time applicant to Bowdoin College, an undergraduate student seeking advanced status, or a returning student re-enrolling after a break, the admissions standards are the same for all applicants. Students wishing to be admitted to Bowdoin College must make a mandatory application fee payment of $65 which is non-refundable. International students need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a minimum average scale of 4.0. Each applicant must provide the following:
- SAT Subject Tests (if applicable)
- Official transcripts from each college and high school attended (in English or with translations)
- 3 teacher recommendations
- Official test scores from TOEFL iBT (100) and IELTS (7.0) — all tests must be taken within 2 years of your application date
- Post Graduate students are asked to attach their work experience proof along with the rest of the details
- A valid Passport
- LOR
- Any other country-specific or course-specific requirements
Fees
- Bachelor Government and Legal Studies - $64,304 /Yr
- Bachelor Biology - $64,304 /Yr
- Bachelor Physics and Astronomy - $64,304 /Yr
- Bachelor Chemistry - $64,304 /Yr
- Bachelor German - $64,304 /Yr
- Bachelor History - $64,304 /Yr
Placements
The Bowdoin College offers its students career services, such as career counselling programmes. Even though the college lacks a placement cell of its own, career services assist students in developing their talents by forging positive connections with businesses.
Additionally, the college offers students on-campus part-time work in an effort to help them get better job chances. This enables people to adapt, develop, and earn a living while also enhancing skills like time management and communication.
Scholarship
Some of the scholarships offered at Bowdoin College are:
- Tom Cassidy Student Support Fund
- Charles Carroll Everett Scholarship
- Timothy and Lynn Hayes Scholarship
UniScholars serves as a vital resource for scholarships. By providing accessible and comprehensive support, UniScholars aims to empower aspiring scholars worldwide in their pursuit of educational success.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Bowdoin College. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Bowdoin College. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Brunswick, Maine is a town located in Cumberland County, in the southern part of the state. It is situated on the Androscoggin River and is approximately 25 miles north of Portland. Brunswick is also known for its historic downtown area, and for the nearby Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and Brunswick Golf Club. The town has a population of around 21,589 people and is home to Bowdoin College. The city has a rich history in shipbuilding and textiles and has more recently become a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and boating. When it comes to living here for students, it is important to consider the following factors:
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$649 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$851 |
|
Transportation |
$104 |
|
Food Cost |
$600 |
|
Utility Cost |
$88 |
|
Entertainment |
$72 |
|
Groceries |
$48 |
|
Clothes |
$81 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation |
$1,722 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation |
$1,924 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$23,088 |