I am down to Bowdoin and Wesleyan for my EDII choices in case I get rejected to my EDI. However, I really like the characteristics of LAC and both college are about the same price. I will be majoring in Computer Science and I would like to know which college is best fit for CS? Which has better CS department or faster growing department. Any students in Bowdoin or Wesleyan pursuing CS?
Thank you so much!
Although there’s no real clear evidence that ED improves your chances, I understand the motivation of some seniors with no real clear first choice school to apply to an ED school just in case/to assuage their anxiety, or whatever other reason. But beyond that, I see no reason to apply to more than one. If you clearly can’t decide between Bowdoin and Wesleyan because you like them equally, ED isn’t designed for you anyway, and since you already have an application in to an ED school what’s the point?
One thing to note is that despite being an undergraduate-focused institution, Wesleyan does have a PhD program in computer science. They generally have anywhere from 16 to 24 doctoral students in the department. At the very least this means there are some graduate courses offered in the department; this probably also means that Wesleyan faculty are a bit more invested in research, and there are doctoral students who can potentially serve as peer or slightly older mentors to a highly motivated undergraduate. Now, this information doesn’t necessarily mean that Wesleyan is a better choice than Bowdoin, because a lot of students thrive in an undergrad-only environment with lots of personal attention from professors who have no other commitments. But it’s a note.
Take a look at the course catalogs in the two departments, but also remember that you are going to college to get a BA. Particularly for a liberal arts college, you’ll spend the majority of your class time taking classes outside of the CS department. SO be sure to pick a college on the basis of its all-around education and not just the major.
“Although there’s no real clear evidence that ED improves your chances” (1)
The Harvard/Kennedy study provided evidence that it does to a great degree. Do you regard this study as being no longer relevant to the current environment?
That study is over 14 years old. As more and more students choose ED each year, the benefits diminish.
14 years ago there probably was a benefit
Bowdoin has a lower overall acceptance rate for both ED and RD than Wesleyan. So statistically, if you are trying to play the odds you should cast your ED2 vote there. Bowdoin accepts 30% of ED applicants vs. 47% for Wesleyan.
I was speaking with an admissions officer at Dartmouth, and she flat out told me that if I really loved Dartmouth, then I should apply ED, because chances of getting are much better that way. And that was this past July at Dartmouth Bound. Of course ED is different at every school, but for the most part your chances of getting in ED are better than getting in RD.
I agree the impact of ED is different school to school. My D’s LAC actually has a class profile that shows statistics for ED and RD and there is a definite benefit to applying ED there.
In terms of choosing between the two schools, did you have a preference? Did the “vibe” of one school feel more comfortable to you? Is one location better for you? Did you look through the CS class offerings in both schools and find any meaningful difference?
As for ED, I agree with @giraffeinatree and happy1, at many colleges (not all) ED provides a boost. Some colleges explicitly say this. Duke for one. And at many of the LACs this is also true. If you are a qualified applicant, ED can help. Schools want to manage yield and also want to enroll students who love them. They don’t want to be 2nd fiddle.
So, where are you applying ED1?
I applied Lafayette College for ED1
In terms of CS department, I think Wesleyan may be better. I once read a post about Bowdoin’s CS, which said it is great but rather small, with limited courses and professors. Although it seems easier to work with professors on research in Bowdoin, (due to the small size), the PhD program in Wesleyan does mean a lot as for CS resources and high-level courses. But you see Wesleyan and Bowdoin are different school, you may visit both and talk to professors and students there to find out which one is your favorite.
might at another good lac-Holy Cross.
If you are rejected from Lafayette ED I then I would say Bowdoin ED II would be highly unlikely.
Lafayette is not in the same league as Bowdoin or Wesleyan. If your ED1 choice turns you down then the odds are even worse at the other two schools. If you had liked all three equally then you should have probably reversed your ED I & II choices…
My D is a senior at Lafayette and absolutely loves it. She has a good friend there who is a CS major and is very happy with the program (he is an international student and spent last Thanksgiving break with us). Best of luck with your ED application there.
There is a definite advantage to applying ED at Lafayette so I’m afraid I must echo the sentiment of others that if you don’t get into Laf ED then Bowdin and Wes would be highly unlikely (my D had Union and F&M as her other choices). My nephew went to Wesleyan and my sense is that is has a very different vibe, much artsier, as compared to Lafayette. If you get into Laf and want any information (from a parents’ perspective) feel free to PM me.
Thank you so much for ur reply! I really appreciate it.