Hi! My D25 is deciding between Wesleyan and Bowdoin. She’s bright, bookish, loves the outdoors and theater - her tribe in high school. We are trying to get a sense of the vibe for student involvement and support for the arts there… can you speak to that given your sons experience?
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The thing about Bowdoin that you don’t really know until your child attends is what it means that the admission office prioritizes “nice” students. My son’s experience with theater at Bowdoin is not an unique or necessary specific to theater.
He met a friend 1st week of school (either on his O trip or a friend of a friend from his O trip) who was very involved in theater - something my son was never involved in. By Parent’s Weekend the only thing he insisted we do was attend the theater performance (which was amazing) - a ticket that was hard to get because so many people wanted to attend. Bowdoin students are involved in so many different activties which means even at a small school they are meeting lots of new people. Son has gone on to be part of the pit for a performance, is taking improv this semester (as an Econ/Philosophy Major), some of his friends are trying to teach him how to sing so he can try out for an acappella group and he goes to almost all the shows. Unlike HS or other universities/colleges my other 3 sons attend or graduated there is more support between “tribes” and more variety in “tribes”.
Wesleyan obviously has the advantage in theater and Bowdoin has the advantage for outdoors. If she chooses Bowdoin your daughter will likely end up owning more flannel than ever before, challenge her self academically like never before and if like my son’s experience will expand her tribe like never before.
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Congratulations to your daughter on such great acceptances! I’ve never been to Wesleyan so can’t compare the vibes of the two schools, but I would say that Bowdoin’s theater scene is probably smaller than that at Wes. You’ll see the same faces in various productions, etc, but from what I can tell all the theater students are generally close to and supportive of each other. It seems like a very welcoming community. People definitely show up to productions- sometimes getting a ticket can be difficult (but not to the degree of, say, the Bowdoin/Colby hockey game). I think it really depends on if your daughter would be comfortable being part of a subculture or what I’m assuming would be a more dominant culture at Wesleyan.
Good luck to her! She can’t make a bad choice between the two. (Also- I’m a humanities major if she has any questions regarding academics)
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My friend’s son is at Bowdoin. He could not love it more. He is super into board games, and is a d&d, theater type of kid and is thriving. Has had parts in several plays. He loves it so much he was hesitant to study abroad and miss anything. My friend said all of all his close friends he is the only cis male.
He has also managed to have a single every single year! And loves the food.
My D’s close friend had a similar choice a few years ago between Wesleyan and a more highly-ranked SLAC. She’s a theater kid who wanted to stay involved but didn’t plan on majoring in theater. After much thoughtful consideration, she ultimately chose Wesleyan because of the thriving theater scene and the social fit. She had a fantastic experience academically, socially, and in theater. She was able to direct, write, and act in student and department productions without being a theater major. While I’m sure that Bowdoin has a tight-knit theater scene, I don’t think it can compete with Wesleyan. It sounds like your D found her people at Wes; she should follow her instincts.
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Thanks, everyone–I’ve shared your comments with my S25 & he’s feeling better about Bowdoin (he also reached out to the admissions office & they put him in touch with a current student who shares his interests).
No luck with more aid from Vassar, and we decided not to appeal aid at Oberlin since he’d rather not be in Ohio (and anyway they would have had to come down by $15k, which seems unlikely). He hasn’t made his final choice yet, but obviously will have to soon. Appreciate your help!
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He chose Bowdoin! Thanks again for all your help.
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Congrats!!
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Congrats!! I’m counting the days until I can go back to Wild Oats, oh and also pick up me son.
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Hooray!! Oh do alums love their school. Guessing your kid will too!
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