Bowdoin vs WashU

reindeercoffee
Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:57:37 +0000

Hi all, I was admitted to both schools (among others such as UCLA, Wesleyan, BC, YaleNUS) and they’re my top picks right now. I’m having a really hard time deciding because I’m not sure how I’ll fit in at both schools.

I’m an international student and I want to study political science/philosophy (something in the humanities, would be govt and legal studies at Bowdoin). I’m quiet in a bigger crowd but really can’t stop talking when I’m with my friends. I chose to apply to WashU and Bowdoin as the academics are stellar and the vibe seems to be super friendly (really important to me because as a transitioning international student I don’t want to be homesick… But then again the international community at bowdoin isn’t huge especially as it’s a LAC). What I’m looking for in a school is a tight knit community where everyone’s really friendly to each other, and a place where people have passions and are genuinely interested in intellectual conversations, etc. I want to form relationships with friends and classmates that are deep and meaningful, instead of forming them just for the sake of doing so.

One thing is I’m afraid Bowdoin would be ‘too small’ and a bit rural. I’m not certain about how many opportunities I’ll get at Bowdoin versus a bigger university like WashU (and because WashU is in an actual city). And, I’ve read things about the hookup culture that I’m just not really down with? I go to a high school where our whole grade doesn’t have relationships for some reason and I don’t want a continuation of that.

I guess I’m looking for personal experiences/insights into how my situation would determine a leaning towards a certain school.

Also, I was made a faculty scholar at Bowdoin but I’m not sure what that entails besides the $3000 stipend.