Bowdoin College
Non-profit
Public
Private
Regional
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin College is the oldest institution of higher education in Maine and one of the best colleges in the state. Bowdoin was also the first college in the country to adopt a test-optional admission policy, which means prospective students are evaluated by their academic performance and community service activities instead of ACT or SAT scores. The college exclusively offers bachelor's degrees, with programs of study available in fields such as anthropology, digital and computational studies, neuroscience, and theater and dance. Bowdoin's curriculum emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts education, and all students take foundational courses in math, statistics, and exploring social difference. Currently, Bowdoin does not offer any online programs. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Bowdoin waives its application fee for first-generation college students. In addition, the college has replaced all student loans in its financial aid packages with grants, making it easier for low- and middle-income families to afford a college education.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
9% of students
were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools
with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but
are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
86% of full-time
students stayed to continue their studies the following academic
year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall
2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
95% of students
graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their
studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are
not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners.
Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
| Test scores: | Not required or recommended | High school transcript: | Required |
| High school rank: | Recommended | Letter of recommendation: | Required |
| High school GPA: | Recommended | Open admission: | No |
| Completion of college prep program: | Required | Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL): |
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Implied no
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*:
ⓘ
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials,
or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a
portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
8:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 2 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 3 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 4 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 5 | Education | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 6 | English Language And Literature/Letters | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 7 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 8 | History | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 9 | History | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 10 | Mathematics And Statistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 11 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 12 | Natural Resources And Conservation | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 13 | Philosophy And Religious Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 14 | Physical Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 15 | Psychology | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 16 | Social Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 17 | Visual And Performing Arts | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |