@TheGreyKing Thanks for your other-side-of-the-wall opinion. Thanks to everyone else who responded too.
The other school offered me merit aid on top of my need-based aid, thus it became a full-ride. Bowdoin was need-based only (so I don’t think I’ll get more money, but I will try. If it’s a no, then I completely understand and respect the decision). I visit both schools in a few weeks and they are academically similar. I would argue the second school is a bit better in terms of extracurricular activities due to its location. I will see how I feel about the environment of both schools and where I “fit” once I visit.
I’ll update on my decision once I visit them, thanks everyone!