Admission Chances and Advice for Bowdoin College [MBio Focus, 3.7 GPA, 1490 SAT]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US domestic, citizen
  • State/Location of residency: NY
  • Type of high school: Public
  • Gender/Race/Ethnicity: Transgender/Genderqueer, Caucasian
  • Other special factors: First generation

Intended Major(s)
Biology major (concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology) with an Environmental Studies coordinate, Biochem or Chem minor if allowed, planning on participating in the Coastal Studies program

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.7
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.7 (?) (my school hasn’t released them yet) - 100pt system
  • Class Rank: N/A
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1490 SAT (800 RW, 690 M)

Coursework - Grades + Scores not released yet

  • Chem Honors
  • APUSH
  • APES
  • AP Bio (next year)
  • Various science electives (Earth Sci, Sci of Food, Bioethics, Animal Behavior)

Awards

  • Honor Roll (9)
  • High Honor Roll (10)

Extracurriculars
See copy of my resume below:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Self-Employed, Artist & Craftsman, Virtual 2018 - Present

  • Etsy shop est. 2018, social media presence est. 2020
  • Digital art commissions, paintings, handmade jewelry sales

Technical Theater Work, Sound Board Operator, —, NY 2021 - Present

  • Operation of multiple microphones and music sources for local dance studios in the MLM Theater (Fox Lane High School)

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

— Players Theater Club, Member & Officer, —, —, NY 2021 - Present
Tech Crew (9, 10, 11, 12), Treasurer (10), Technical Director (11, 12)

  • Managed the club budget, signed approval documents, ran budget votes, and helped collect profit from shows
  • Led team building activities and improvisational games
  • Primarily ran the sound board for school shows, took up other positions as needed; appointed position of Technical Director for strong work ethic and leadership skills

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, ECHO Teen Volunteer, Norwalk, CT 2022 - Present

  • Educated guests of all ages on environmental conservation, marine life, and the aquarium itself; assisted in beach cleanups and local ecological studies; appointed a leadership position to help new volunteers acclimate, work with adult volunteers at touch pools, and suggest ideas for new projects and areas of teaching

Marine Biology and Conservation Club, Member & Officer, —, —, NY 2024 - Present
President (12)

  • Founded the Marine Biology and Conservation Club (MBCC) at — High School
  • Club encourages student marine science interests, promotes advocacy and awareness for marine conservation, and participates in local community science efforts

ACADEMIC EVENTS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED

  • Student Conference on Gender Equality, UNIS-UN, NY, NY 2024
  • Young Authors Conference, PNW BOCES, Yorktown, NY 2024
  • Washington Youth Summit on the Environment, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 2024

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH

Sail Caribbean, Marine Biology Research Student, Tortola & British Virgin Islands 2022

  • Collected data for a health survey on Caribbean long-spined sea urchins
  • Assisted in sea turtle tagging for wellness check-ups and local disease surveillance

OTHER

  • Interests: Marine biology, environmental conservation, science, arts and crafts, character design, theater tech, activism, LGBTQ+ community, disability, advocacy
  • Certifications: Red Cross AED, CPR, and First Aid (including pediatric equivalents)

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Looking for feedback specifically for Bowdoin College!
I’ve also toured in person and done a virtual interview. Do you guys have any advice for my application? I’m a little concerned about my GPA but my admissions counselor said that explaining my struggles with mental and physical health and how they’ve impacted my grades would be nice and maybe alleviate some of that worry. I’ve also been in contact with the accessibility office there as I’m disabled, so they have me on their radar.

Any chancing explanations, critique, etc. would be super helpful!! This is my top school and I want to do anything/everything I can to raise my chances.

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Apply ED and hope for the best? Bowdoin is one of those schools that’s a long shot for just about anyone, and it’s impossible to give an accurate estimate. Have you read this blog? How to Get Into Bowdoin: Acceptance Rate & Strategies - College Transitions

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I have not, but I’ll do that now - thank you!! I may apply ED but I dunno bc my second choice is Stony Brook and I’m hoping to get into their STEM Honors program which you need to apply EA for and if I get into that it’s a full ride, so I’m not 100% confident that I’d choose Bowdoin over that. I’m not really sure honestly.

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Please be careful with this. Schools can sometimes be reluctant accepting a student that mentions mental health issues, regardless of whether you agree with this please be careful.

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I will, don’t worry. I’m not going to go into specifics, and I will be very picky about which colleges I make aware of this. Highlights will mainly be on my physical issues and being in and out of the doctor so often and less on my mental issues. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t include it at all if two separate counselors hadn’t said that Bowdoin would like to hear my side of that story and that they would appreciate it. :slight_smile:

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Run the net price calculator and be sure Bowdoin appears affordable before considering ED.

Agree that discussing mental health struggles is not always the best way to go.

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It is! My parents are decently wealthy and told me it would be fine.

And yeah, I’m aware of the pros and cons, but to be honest I think that discussing my health’s impact on my schooling is better than just leaving the drops in my grades unexplained.

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Bowdoin & SUNY Stoneybrook are both great options.

UMAINE Orono has an excellent Marine Science Program (run by a Bowdoin Grad) and you would likely qualify for honors college/merit and/or flagship match.

Just if you need another option!

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Thank you!! Stony Brook is #2 on my list ATM :smiley:

I would look into UMaine more but I visited the campus and it was really awfully kept, super inaccessible, and in the middle of nowhere. Not sure if Machias is any better, but Orono was just not what I was looking for, unfortunately. It’s a bummer because I honestly really wanted to go there about a year ago.

Thank you, though!!

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If you can, consider a second look. UMAINE Orono is a remote location, but it is a top school for marine science. We went to the admitted students day and heard the presentation by the Program Director. We were blown away and all the other people (Res.Life, etc) were really nice. You can spend a semester at the Darling Marine Center residing with faculty and doing research/classes.

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Ehh I’m not sure if I want to after my experience there - thank you, though! I appreciate the recommendation!!

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UNH also has a strong marine science program. It’s been ages since I’ve seen the campus but it was very pretty and well maintained when I was there, and it’s in a nice location, not isolated. Just to consider if the other 2 don’t work out. I hope one of your top 2 choices work out but there are other great options!

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Ooh I hadn’t looked into UNH, thanks for the recommendation!

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Bowdoin is a very special experience with an amazing marine bio program. My kid came down to Penn or Bowdoin for their final pick of where to attend. It was a tough choice. With your scores and GPA I personally would ED Bowdoin. I would take time on the short answer questions. I would interview and I would do the optional video. The head of admissions said they admit kids they can see as part of the class and making a contribution to the college. Good Luck!!!

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