Bowdoin Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission 

Are you looking to know Bowdoin’s acceptance rate and some other requirements to secure admission into the school?

The acceptance rate for Bowdoin College is only 9%, making admission extremely competitive due to its acceptance rate. For half of the applicants, an ACT score of between 30 and 34 or an SAT score between 1330 and 1510 is required for admission to Bowdoin College. 

But out of the applicants who were accepted, one-fourth had scores above these ranges, and one-fourth had scores below them. 

Approximately 95% of students graduate, and 93% find employment within two years of graduation, earning an average of $65,500 per year.

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What to know about Bowdoin

Bowdoin University stands out for a common good that is best characterized as a commitment to think and act for the good of society. 

This common good goes beyond the traditional characteristics of traditional liberal arts colleges—intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration between students and faculty. 

This doesn’t imply that the ideal student must be able to enrol in the course of study concentrating on serving others; instead, it just means that they have a broader understanding of the world and understand that, regardless of the career path they choose, they can become more approachable and ethical by making room for empathy, understanding, context, and history.

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What is Bowdoin Acceptance Rate?

The acceptance rate at Bowdoin College is 9%. Due to its “most selective” admissions rating, the school. Only 861 out of 9,402 applicants for the Bowdoin Class of 2024 were accepted, according to the profile of that class. 

Four hundred sixty-three of the accepted candidates were enrolled. In the National Liberal Arts College Rankings published by US News and World Report, Bowdoin is ranked No. 6, No. 11 for undergraduates, and No. 12 for best colleges. 

Test scores are not required for admission to Bowdoin, so applicants need not submit their SAT or ACT scores. Half of the applicants to Bowdoin who disclosed their standardized test results had SAT or ACT scores in the 1330 to 1520 range or between 31 and 34 on the ACT. 

According to Bowdoin, in addition to overall academic performance, the high school GPA played a significant role in determining acceptance counsellor and teacher recommendations, writing samples, school and community involvement, and character and personality.

To find intelligent students engaged in and out of the classroom, who exhibit curiosity and a willingness to take intellectual risks, Bowdoin Admissions examines each applicant holistically. 

More than half of those offered a spot in the incoming class—about 9% of applicants—decide to enrol. The Bowdoin admissions procedure does not require standardizing the submission of test results. 

Although a student’s overall performance is the most crucial evidence, recommendations from professors, writing samples, academic potential, involvement in the community, and personal character are also considered.

• Political science and government 12.6%
• Econometrics and quantitative economics 9.5%
• mathematics 6.8%
• Environmental studies 5.6%
• Neuroscience 5.6%
• History 4.8%
• Education 4.5%
• English language and literature 4.5%
• Biology/biological sciences 4.4%
• Computer science3.9%

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What is Bowdoin Transfer Acceptance Rate?

Bowdoin’s admission process is highly competitive, and the school only accepts a small proportion of transfer applicants. 

They typically accept five to twenty candidates out of their 150 to 200 transfer applications.

 A fall transfer program and, on rare occasions, mid-year admission are available at Bowdoin.

 The mid-year transfer program at Bowdoin will not be available for the 2022–2023 academic years. 

Bowdoin does not have a cutoff, but qualified candidates typically submit honours college work, which is defined as work with a grade of “B” or higher or a GPA of at least 3.0.

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Is Bowdoin Hard to get into?

Despite Bowdoin’s extremely low acceptance rate, your individual chances of admission may be higher or lower depending on the strength of your application. 

According to admissions data, most students who submit their ACT scores to Bowdoin College rank in the top 5% nationally. 

50% of those accepted to Bowdoin had an average ACT composite score between 31 and 34, 25% had a score above 34, and 25% had a score below 31. 

ACT scores are not necessary for admission to Bowdoin. 

The admissions office will consider your highest score from each section across all ACT dates if you submit your scores. 

Bowdoin participates in the score choice program. Bowdoin doesn’t demand.

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Does Bowdoin Require Test Scores?

Standardized testing requirements vary from school to school. 

The SAT or ACT are typically required, and many schools also demand SAT subject tests.

If you want to apply to Bowdoin, you must take the SAT or ACT. 

More importantly, a strong application requires achievement.

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Bowdoin’s SAT Requirements 

It would be best if you aimed for the 75th percentile with a 1510 SAT or 34 ACT to have the best chance of getting in. 

Additionally, you need a GPA of 3.93 or higher. You must compensate for a lower GPA with a higher SAT/ACT score. 

You’ll also need to make an impression on a selective school like Bowdoin with another component of your application. 

However, if you applied with a score lower than a 1510 SAT or 34 ACT, your chances of admission are, unavoidably, extremely slim. 

You have to compete with many students with strong applications and high SAT/ACT scores.

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Bowdoin’s ACT Requirements 

The typical ACT score at Bowdoin is 32. Bowdoin is very competitive on the ACT with this score.

 30 is the ACT 25th percentile, and 34 is the ACT 75th percentile.

 It will be very difficult for you to get in if you apply with an ACT score of 30 or lower, even though Bowdoin probably claims they don’t have a minimum requirement unless you have something else very impressive on your application. 

Since so many applicants received scores of 32 or higher, 30 will appear to be an academically weak score.

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What are the Admission Requirements for Bowdoin 

With a few exceptions, the application process for international students is similar to that for domestic freshmen: 

• The official scores from the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo Test of English (DET) must be submitted by the application deadline if English is not the student’s first language. To be considered for admission, candidates must have a minimum TOEFL score of 100, an IELTS score of 7, or a DET score of 75. 
• The TOEFL, IELTS, or DET requirement will not be required for applicants who have completed four years of middle or high school where only English has been taught. 
• Based on the SAT Critical Reading or SAT Subject Test results, the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET requirement is not waived.
• Official transcripts of academic work in the language in which they were written, along with a certified translation of the transcript into English, are required by Bowdoin. 
• Official results are required from students from nations with national university entrance exams (such as WASSCE, EGSE, KCSE, CAPE, IGCSE, ISC, and SLC). A-Level applicants must submit O-Level/IGCSE results and anticipated A-Level results. IB program participants are expected to achieve their predicted exam results. 
• International students are anticipated to apply for an F1 student visa by Bowdoin.

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Transfer Requirements for Bowdoin 

• College Report: A form that must be filled out and submitted by a representative of the applicant’s current college or university. 
• An official transcript of all completed college work is known as a college transcript. A transcript must be sent by a representative from the school to be taken as official.
• Final High School Transcript: A transcript from grades 9 through 12, sent by a school representative, also includes the graduation date. 
• Academic standing in college (2) – letters of support from a candidate’s current institution’s professors, instructors, teachers, or teaching assistants. The letter’s recommender is required to send it directly. 
• Results of tests for English language proficiency (for international applicants only) 
• Results of the English proficiency test must be submitted by international applicants who are not enrolled in an English-language college or university (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge English Assessment). We accept score copies.

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Bowdoin GPA Requirements in 2024

Bowdoin expects you to be at the top of your class with a 3.93 GPA. To compete with other applicants, you’ll need to earn close to As in all of your classes. 

To demonstrate that college-level academics are simple, you must also enrol in challenging classes like AP or IB courses. 

Changing your GPA in time for college can be challenging if you are currently junior or senior. 

You will need a higher SAT or ACT score to make up for a GPA that is at or below the 3.93 required for graduation from high school. 

Thanks to this, you will be better able to compete with applicants with higher GPAs than yours.

See also: UCLA Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions

How to Apply to Bowdoin

The Common Application and the Coalition Application are the two application options that Bowdoin provides to most applicants. 

Although these two application formats ask for nearly the same basic information, they do so in different ways and offer various standard essay options. 

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Early Decision I (ED I), Early Decision II (ED II), and Regular Decision for the Coalition Application (RD). 

Both ED schedules allow students to commit to Bowdoin and get their admissions results earlier than those who use the more widely used RD schedule.

One of the ED rounds might be a good option for you if you’re positive that Bowdoin is your top choice and would be delighted to enrol if admitted—as we’ve mentioned, the college fills a sizable portion of its entering class through ED. 

By November 15, ED I applicants must submit their applications, and by mid-December, they will learn whether they have been admitted. 

To be notified by mid-February, ED II applicants must submit their applications by January 1. 

Applicants for RD programs must also submit their applications by January 1, but admissions decisions won’t be made until early April.

See also: UVA Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions

Alternative to Bowdoin 

• Boston college, chestnut hills 
• Drexel University, Pennsylvania
• Lafayette College, Easton
• Buckner University, Lewisburg
• Haverford College, Pennsylvania 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Bowdoin College an Ivy League School?

No, Bowdoin won’t be listed among the Ivy League institutions. University names in this list include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Pennsylvania, and Columbia. 

“Ivy League” is a defining term for a sports conference. Because “Ivy League” evokes a particular image in the context of higher education, many people now use it as a catch-all term for excellence.

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What are Bowdoin college majors?

A wide range of courses is available at Bowdoin College. The school offers a wide range of courses, making it a nearly all-encompassing institution. They even provide the opportunity to apply for graduate school scholarships. 

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The following majors and eight interdisciplinary majors are available for students to major or minor in:

• African Studies
• Anthropology
• Biochemistry
• History of art
• Asian Studies
• Earth Science and Oceanography
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Classics
• German
• Computer science
• Economy
• English
• French Studies
• Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
• Government and legal studies
• Latin studies
• History
• Italian studies
• Latin American Studies
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Music
• Neuroscience
• Performing arts
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Russian
• Religion
• Romance languages ​​and literature
• Sociology
• Art

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What Are The Decision Dates?

Early decision is available at Bowdoin College, but not early Action. 

Early Action allows you to apply early without committing, whereas Early Decision makes attendance mandatory if you are accepted. 

Applications for Early Decision 2 are due on January 5. 

The early decision rate at Bowdoin College is 22%, while the overall acceptance rate is 9%.

 Of the 1,123 applicants who submitted Early Decision applications to Bowdoin College last year, 242 were accepted.

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What Are The Bowdoin College Deadlines?

Candidates for Bowdoin’s Early Decision (ED) program may apply to one of two programs: 

• Early Choice I (application deadline: November 15) 
• Early Choice II (application deadline: January 5)

The deadline is the only distinction between EDI and EDII. The applicant is expected to enrol in both programs if accepted because both are mandatory and use the same selection criteria.

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Conclusions

Due to its low acceptance rate—less than one-tenth of applicants—Bowdoin College is a highly selective liberal arts institution. 

However, the admissions process at Bowdoin is holistic and test-optional, and the school does not only consider numerical data when making decisions about admissions. 

A strong application essay can strengthen your application, strong letters of recommendation, involvement in significant extracurricular activities, and a demanding course load that includes AP, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes. 

Bowdoin strongly encourages interviews for interested candidates, even though they are not required. 

Even if a student’s grades and test scores are below Bowdoin’s average range, they may still be given serious consideration if they have particularly impressive stories or accomplishments.

See also: Full Sail University STEM Scholarship for All Students

References 

• bestschoolnews.com – Bowdoin College 2022: Acceptance Rate, Admission, Tuition

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