Bowdoin College Top Questions

In general, much of the student body is quite athletic. Recently, however, Bowdoin has been striving to admit more diverse classes, and this includes a greater number of those who may not be interested in sports. Bowdoin is also not overwhelmingly preppy - there is a good mix of different styles and personalities on campus. This diversity also extends into the wealth of the student body. Especially with Bowdoin's new no-loan policy, a number of students come with full grants, and a rather large portion of the student body attends the college with the help of financial aid.

I would say yes.

There is a certain preppy-ness due to the amount of kids from prep-schools but they are hardly ever snobby or flaunt their backgrounds. Bowdoin happens to be in Maine where there is amazing outdoor activity being offered. Before coming to Bowdoin I was not an "outdoors" person but i found myself trying new things and joining the BOC. P.s. the BOC is a GEM on campus. Also a diverse amount of students from all around the world are found in the Bowdoin student body I find myself constantly meeting new types interesting characters on campus. Girls at Bowdoin are surprisingly very good-looking, and not only that very smart, witty and opinionated, not going to find a typical housewife type of gal at Bowdoin! Guys are all-around decent looking but you tend to find girls dominating campus activities/clubs when guys stick to sprots and intramurals.

yes, but there are so many different kinds of people here. These stereotypes fit some students but not all. Also, just because there are stereotypes doesn't mean that "preppy" kids are only friends with other preppy kids. Everyone branches out.

yes

I can see how Bowdoin would appear that way- I'd heard the same stereotypes about Williams and Middlebury. The more you get to know the students, though, the more you realize the deep diversity that Bowdoin contains. There are students from all backgrounds, areas of the globe, types of schools, and with all interests and passions. At first, I was kind of overwhelmed by how amazing everyone was.

These groups do exist, but they by no means define the student body. Pretty much every social niche is represented.

Unfortunately, for the most part I have found these stereotypes entirely accurate.

Students at Bowdoin have a good sense of what it means to be healthy and therefore many are active in athletics or outdoor activities.

Not really. Everyone is really nice, laid back, and has balanced lifestyles. We work really hard, but we also know how to have fun.

For the most part

The stereotype that students at Bowdoin are intelligent is very true. Students here work hard and are very articulate. However, although there is a strong academic strive in the students, they are still down to earth and fun to hang out with. Also, although a fair amoung of people come from private schools, there is an extremely diverse group of students who come from all kinds of different backgrounds, and it's really nice to get to know all the different types of students.

The smart part is definitely true, but the preppy part couldn't be more wrong. The vast majority of Bowdoin students did not go to elite prep schools and wear North Face fleeces, not Abercrombie and Fitch.

For the most part I have found these stereotypes to be true. It is not uncommon for students to walk around in dress clothes and "preppy" attire. If I saw a guy walking around in a sports jacket I wouldnt ask any questions. As for the second stereotype, of course it is true, but Bowdoin students certainly know how to have fun on the weekends.

BOTH FALSE - mixture of everyone, we may be small but we are diverse

partially

Yes.

-Rich yes; smart yes; stuck up a very few; snobs a very few

Not really. Basically, you come to main if you like the outdoors, but most students have too much work to really go out and hike the trails.

By and large, I think yes. Bowdoin kids on the whole are smart, really active, and have some form of dirty hippie within them. Our Sustainable Bowdoin and Outing club are really active on campus. As for preppy, I've gone to prep school, and I definately can see a carry over into Bowdoin, but there are plenty of people who are not preppy, who are not from rich suburbs. You do have to like nature to go here, the harsh weather in the winter and the pretty bucolic surroundings have been known to drive some city kids a little crazy.