My S25 has been accepted to Bowdoin, with enough aid to make it affordable. He just got back from their admitted students program & liked it overall but isn’t sure about the social fit. He’s a kid often described as “quirky” (dyed hair, pierced ears, into board games/D&D/theater), and while he met some nice people this weekend, most of them presented as fairly mainstream. He’s a little worried about being the campus weirdo. He felt more immediately comfortable at Vassar & Wesleyan, but Vassar didn’t give him enough $$ & he didn’t get into Wesleyan.
I know that he can probably find some of his people anywhere, but Bowdoin is small & the winters are long, and he doesn’t want to spend his college years feeling pushed to the margins. Can anyone tell me about Bowdoin’s quirky side? Does it have one? Would love to hear any firsthand experience.
Have you tried appealing the Vassar award? My impression is they are not the easiest to negotiate with, but most schools will look at awards from what they consider peer schools. Bowdoin is certainly a peer (probably higher prestige) than Vassar, so if he said he’d commit for a better package I think they might be willing to take a look. My D22 will be a senior at Vassar next year, she’s overall been quite happy there. We’ve been lucky that they have met our (significant) need each year so far (still waiting on next year!).
Yes, he has several other choices we all feel good about (Skidmore, Clark). Bowdoin seems like a great academic fit & has resources & opportunities he’s hesitant to pass up, so trying to figure out if the social scene is workable.
We did appeal his financial aid at Vassar, but they wouldn’t move. Vassar is actually his most expensive acceptance.
When I read your original post I thought of Skidmore, as in “Skidmore might have fit this student.” I’m not suggesting that your son couldn’t find his place at Bowdoin, however.
I am sure there will be some quirky kids at Bowdoin, but I don’t think “quirky” is the top adjective anyone associates with Bowdoin.
I’d appeal Vassar’s FA. Bowdoin is absolutely a peer of Vassar, if not slightly above. Tell them it’s his first choice and if they can make it affordable, he will attend.
Heads up, Vassar is also small with long winters. Maybe not as much snow, but not as pleasant for that very reason. Choose your poison.
Just spoke with my Bowdoin Class of 2023 grad. They said a quirky, multi pierced, colored hair, d&d/theater lover can absolutely find their peeps at Bowdoin.
I am a few years away from recent Bowdoin grads, but my sense is that yes, there will be a tribe for him, and most other students will not be in that tribe or adjacent to it.
Over the decades, I have known students at any number of schools who were not part of the dominant culture and who loved their schools, found friends, and thrived. I have also known students at any number of schools who ended up transferring because they were uncomfortable not being part of the dominant culture.
I think this is probably the question/reconciliation your son needs to ask/make. He was smart to pick up on this during his visit. Perhaps Vassar can match. Or if not, perhaps he can start exploring how to connect with his peeps at Bowdoin when he arrives on campus in the fall.
I’m a first year at Bowdoin and love it here. Bearings (admitted students day) definitely isn’t representative of the actual Bowdoin social experience. When I went to Bearings last year I thought maybe I wouldn’t find my people here, but I’ve made friends that I have more in common with than any of my friends back home. Though we definitely have our mainstream preppy athlete types, I also know people here that sound just like your son. Please PM me if you/your son would like more info, have any specific questions, etc. No matter what school he ends up choosing, best of luck to him!
Edit- we definitely don’t have the same theatre scene as Vassar or Wesleyan but the play I saw last weekend and last semester’s musical were both legitimately incredible. The scene is smaller but very tight-knit. That being said- if his gut says Vassar then his gut says Vassar and I’ll restate other advice offered in this thread: go to them with the Bowdoin package and ask for a renegotiation!
Folks, OP said they already appealed Vassar’s FA package, to no avail. Going back a second time is not likely to result in a change. Vassar does not have the resources that Bowdoin does.
Paging @Mom24boys who has an S23 there in case she has helpful info.
My D23 is also more alternative/dyed hair etc. and was accepted to and considered Bowdoin. Though she didn’t end up there, her discussions with current students at the time (2 years ago) and recent alums made her comfortable that she would find her people there.
My son just spent part of his weekend at a D&D retreat and has close friends involved in the theater but I wouldn’t describe him as quirky. Several of his siblings are definitely more quirky. As others have said he will find his people at Bowdoin but it won’t be as visible as at Vassar.
What he will find at Bowdoin is an accepting and welcoming enviroment. Also, an amtrak station one block from campus for a $3 trip to Portland or a weekend in Boston. If he decides on Bowdoin, the McKeen Center for the Common Good has Orientation Trips that are not as outdoorthy/athletic and might be a way to find his people.
Lastly, the aid at Bowdoin has been incredible. The college does a lot of things to not make a student’s financial situation a barrier to involvement and a sense of belonging. Each club is given a $600 a semester budget to socialize off campus, first semester he sent me a picture of the biggest sushi boat I’ve ever seen from a club outing. Off campus club trips are coverred, every year MUN takes freshman to Montreal. My son is studying abroad next semester and Finacial Aid reached out to him as soon as he commited to his program to review his financial aid with him, provided a detailed summary and answered questions we didn’t know to ask months before returning financial aid packages are released.
Thanks, everyone–this is all very helpful and I will share it with my S25. I’ll reach out to Vassar fin aid one last time, but since they turned me down last time it seems unlikely (and their reluctance so far makes me nervous about negotiating his aid package for the next 4 years). I agree with gardenstategal that he needs to decide how important being part of the school’s dominant culture is to him.
I’ll be DMing a couple of you–thanks for sharing your thoughts!
The OP is down to considering a few top acceptances – there is no indication that they are looking to take a gap year and re-apply – especially given the student’s success in the application process with acceptances to Bowdoin, Skidmore, and Clark.
He is actually accepted to Oberlin, but didn’t get enough $$ (not even close). He’s pretty sure his best bets at this point are Clark/Skidmore/Bowdoin, given our financial need.
Your child has great choices. Bowdoin is obviously the most prestigious of the three if that matters. It is a beautiful school though subject Skidmore is a great artsy school in a wonderful small town. Saratoga Springs is beautiful and during the summers there is a lot going on in the area including many events at SPAC. Skidmore is “one that got away in my eyes” as my kiddo felt it a bit too artsy for her tastes but I loved it. Clark is a very solid school as well so if I was in your shoes I would be happy with my choices and look for the school that “just felt like the one”. Your child can have a great four years at any of them.
Hello! My D25 is deciding between Wesleyan and Bowdoin. She loves theater and wants to stay involved, but not necessarily study it (leaning history or philosophy). Socially, she connects most with theater students- her tribe from high school for sure.
I was intrigued by your post - could you tell me more about the vibe at Bowdoin?
She really loved Wesleyan (we went to an admitted students day last week) but has had Bowdoin at the top of her list for some time…