UNIVERSITY · CDS 2024-2025
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME 2,037 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
NESCACTop LACTest-Optional Pioneer
Accept
7.5%
Yield
53.8%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1440–1550
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
720–770
SAT Math (mid 50%)
720–780
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
33–34
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTE92% had a GPA of 3.75 or higher
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$66,350
Total COA
$84,540
Avg need-based aid
$66,151
Avg merit award
None
Net price after avg need aid
$18,389
Bowdoin meets 1% of demonstrated need on average.
ImportantBowdoin does not award non-need merit scholarships. All institutional aid is need-based. Use this honestly with families: a strong applicant here gets in, but the price is set by the FAFSA/CSS, not by stats.
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Bowdoin's AP Policy
Bowdoin awards credit for some AP exams with scores of 4 or 5, determined by individual departments. A maximum of four pre-matriculation credits (including AP, IB, and others) can be applied to the degree. Credit is primarily for placement, though in some cases it may replace a course.
Min score
4
Credit cap
4 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresConsidered
- Application EssayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
To engage students of uncommon promise in an intense full-time education of their minds, exploration of their creative faculties, and development of their social and leadership abilities.
Distilled Themes
Education for the common goodFormation of the complete individualSelection of students with exceptional qualities of mind and characterEnvironmental stewardshipEthical development and individual choice
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Bowdoin is looking for intellectually curious students who will contribute to the common good. They value students who are not just smart, but also kind and engaged in their communities.
- 02A passion for the outdoors and environmentalism is a big plus. Bowdoin’s location in Maine and its strong environmental studies program make this a key part of the school’s identity.
- 03They want to see genuine interest in a liberal arts education. Students who can connect their interests across different disciplines will stand out.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a commitment to service and community engagement through long-term involvement in a few key activities.
- 02Write a thoughtful and authentic essay that reflects on your personal growth and intellectual curiosity.
- 03If you have a passion for the outdoors, environmental science, or government, highlight that in your application.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of intellectual curiosity or a purely pre-professional focus. Bowdoin wants students who are excited about learning for its own sake
- Arrogance or a sense of entitlement. The ‘common good’ is a core value, and students who seem self-centered will not be a good fit
- A generic application that doesn’t show any real interest in Bowdoin’s specific programs or culture
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Government and Legal Studies; Economics; Environmental Studies; Earth and Oceanographic Science; Digital and Computational Studies; Arctic Studies
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Mid-December
Nov 15, 2025
→ Dec 15, 2025
Early Decision II
Binding
Early February
Jan 5, 2026
→ Feb 1, 2026
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Mid-March
Jan 5, 2026
→ Mar 15, 2026
Early Action
Not offered
—
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
TrackedWeight: Considered
Bowdoin considers demonstrated interest, with Early Decision and optional interviews being the primary channels.
What they watch
- Optional interview
- Applying ED
Coach action
If Bowdoin is a top choice, apply Early Decision and complete an optional interview.
Provenance