<p>Bowdoin is definitely more selective, but the academic differences between Colgate and Bowdoin are probably miniscule. Many people say that a more select student body results in a more talented peer group for the students and enhances the college experience. That being said, I doubt the academics are very different between Colgate and Bowdoin, both of which are “top 20” liberal arts colleges. </p>
<p>Colgate’s a bit snarky when it comes to providing admissions data, but its admitted (as opposed to enrolled) students’ SAT ranges (25-75 percentiles) for this year’s freshman are published as 660-740 for verbal and 670-760 for math. Its acceptance rate was 23.9%.</p>
<p>Bowdoin’s SAT ranges for enrolled students (2007) were 650-740 verbal and 650-730 math. These are likely higher than Colgate’s by 20-30? points. Bowdoin’s acceptance rate was just a hair under 19%. As a comparison, Williams’ (ranked “#1” last year) rate was 18.4%. Bowdoin’s tough to get into.</p>
<p>I don’t know Bowdoin; I never been there. D is a senior at Colgate and is an English major. She has liked most of her professors, she works hard, and she knows a lot of smart kids. I think Colgate is a great school, especially for those who may not make it into - or be interested in applying to - the most selective schools in the country. That being said, it’s no cakewalk to be accepted or to get good grades. Our experience with Colgate’s financial aid has been very positive. D’s scores, etc., put her in the top of Colgate’s applicant pool. </p>
<p>It is true that in some sports (I’ll guess football and hockey), the athletes’ SAT scores are probably significantly lower than the school’s average. I don’t believe that negatively affects the college as a whole.</p>