Deadlines and Requirements

Application

Application and personal essay, application fee (nonrefundable) or fee waiver. Applicants to Bowdoin may use the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge Application.

Bowdoin Supplement

The Bowdoin Supplement is located within the "Questions" section of the Common Application and as a separate Bowdoin supplement form on the Coalition by Scoir application; it contains a variety of optional and required questions. The essays are optional. (More information about the essay in the Optional Materials section below.)

Bowdoin does not require supplemental essays to be included as part of the QuestBridge National College Match application (only the Testing Preferences Selection form). Should you apply to Bowdoin with your QuestBridge application outside of the Match, the optional supplemental essays will be available to submit in your Application Portal.

Recommendations
(3 required)

Counselor Recommendation: Advisor's estimate of candidate's character and accomplishments.

Teacher Recommendation: An evaluation completed by a teacher who has taught applicant either junior or senior year in an academic core subject (English, math, lab sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages) that appears on their official high school transcript.

Other Recommendation: This may be a second teacher evaluation (who has taught the student in any subject area) or a recommendation from a clergy, coach, community-based organization counselor, employer, peer, or community member who can speak to the applicant's contributions to the wider community or share insights not otherwise captured in the application.

Secondary School Report

Information concerning candidate's school offerings and environment.

Secondary School Record

Transcript*

*A high school diploma or its recognized equivalent is required before enrolling at Bowdoin College. If student matriculates at Bowdoin, the application and transcript become part of his or her permanent record.

Early Decision Candidate Transcripts

Early Decision I applicants must submit first-quarter or first-trimester grades from their final year of secondary school as soon as they are available.

Mid-Year Report OR
Official School Transcript at Mid-Year

Report of mid-year grades and performance.

Application Review

We select students who will join a community in which they will live and work with integrity and fairness. As part of our application review, we may choose to verify the information provided on applications or supplemental materials. Inaccurate or fabricated information may lead to a range of actions, including revocation of an admission offer. Be yourself and be honest—that’s what our community expects of each other, and that’s what we ask of you.

Electronically: We receive materials through a multitude of electronic services, including but not limited to: Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, SCOIR and Slate.org
Email: appmaterials@yilunjianshe.com 
Fax: 207-725-3101
Mail: Bowdoin College Office of Admissions, 5000 College Station, Brunswick, ME  04011 

Should I apply as a first-year or transfer student?

First-year students are students who have never matriculated at another college or university; that is, they have not enrolled in a degree-granting program. Any student who has done so must apply as a transfer student. Students who have taken some college-level work while enrolled in secondary school should apply as first-year candidates. If you are a veteran or active member of the US military, please contact our veteran liaison for more information and to discuss your options. Students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for admission to Bowdoin.