Bowdoin College Top Questions

professors are amazingly dedicated and accessible. classes are challenging. everyone works really hard. lots of studying. small classes and lots of discussion, especially in higher-level courses. students willing to help one another, not competitive with one another. professors have lunch with students, invite classes over for dinner. liberal arts education focuses on learning how to think creatively and present one's thoughts intelligently.

Most professors know your name and do take note of whether or not you come to class, even in classes of 35 or more and even if they don't take attendance. I've found that intellectual discussions outside of class and the library aren't very common; mostly it revolves around talking about your life, how much work you have, or other people. The minimal academic requirements are a definite plus about Bowdoin. As a freshman, make sure you get your 101 classes out of the way but DON'T only take 101's freshman year, especially during your first semester, because you will most likely become very disillusioned with the academic scene, and you don't want that to happen your first semester.

I address each professor in my major by their first name. Students really have the common good of the class in mind instead of competing for grades.

Academics here are phenomenal. Lots of classes to take with awesome professors. Class sizes are generally small, so lots of opportunity for student-professor interaction. Students aren't very competitive here. We all want to succeed, but we don't really worry about what grades other students are getting.

Classes are really small so professors know you by face and name. Classes are generally very hard in comparison to other schools but if you get in you'll be able to handle them. Students talk intellectually outside of classrooms - sometimes too much (hence the stereotype). Bowdoin requires you to talk certain general education courses which are definitely broaden your horizons but are sometimes a pain.

The academics at Bowdoin are great. You can chose from a wide variety of course topics and the classes are usually taught very well. The professors who I have had are very approachable and always willing to help you with any academic issue you may have. Classes range anywhere from 12 students to 35 students, but even in these larger classes the professors have made an effort to remember my name. The students are really engaged in class discussions, and it makes it really interesting to hear the opinions of your classmates. Although the classes are really interesting be prepared to do lots of reading, and writing, because most of the classes here are not easy.

The professor knows EVERYONE in the class! The downside of this is that they know when you are not there. My least favorite class I have had was psychology. In my opinion psychology is a "weed out" class to determine the people who really want to major in psychology or neuroscience. My roommate studies ALL the time! Studying is something you have to do and there is no such thing as an easy class. The amount of material and outside reading for each individual class varies. Finding a balance between studying and social life can be done while keeping a decent gpa.

I love my classes at Bowdoin! The professors are really nice and easy to talk to. Professors at Bowdoin are all leaders in their fields and since there are no graduate student, all the research positions in faculty labs go to undergrads. This is something that just doesn't happen at large universities. I chose Bowdoin over Princeton and Duke because I really thought Bowdoin offered a better undergraduate education. After a year at Bowdoin, I am more sure of this decision than ever.

You will know most of the people in your classes, and the professors will know you by you name. That is just the way it is at Bowdoin, I have never had a class over 50 students. The average class size is probably around 35 students.

Academics are really good here at bowdoin - a product of being a top ten liberal arts college I suppose. The teachers are good, but you have to throw yourself out there to get to know them. That is no surprise. The workload is hard, but that's what you get for coming to a very good school, again no surprise. People make academics a priority, so going out every night is not really a Bowdoin thing. Why are we here? To learn. If you want a party school go to ASU or something, cause Bowdoin is all about the education.