Chances at Bowdoin pls;

penelopepitstop
Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:03:01 +0000

No reason why you shouldn’t apply. You have things in your favor and some weaknesses where you can improve. Your weighted GPA is good, not great. Your test scores are not indicative of your good GPA, so if they don’t dramatically improve on the next round, I’d simply not send them. Bowdoin is a test-optional school and failure to send SATs or ACTs won’t hurt your chances.

As was stated, being urban, male and of a minority background helps you at elite LACs. If you are also a 1st gen college student, that helps too. Finally, if Bowdoin is definitely your school, apply ED 1, which will help some more. Your family income shouldn’t matter. Bowdoin is need blind and the decision on your app is made before it ever gets to FA.

However, my recommendation would also be to apply for as many third-party scholarships as you are eligible for. The reason is this - most colleges’ endowments got hammered by the economic downturn. Bowdoin is serious about their commitment to meeting full demonstrated need, and they’re need-blind, but numbers are numbers. Being a finance kid, I’m sure you get it.