Bowdoin College Catalogue And Academic Handbook 2022-2023

2022·8.5 MB·

by  Bowdoin College

TABLE OF CONTENTS Philosophy ....................................................................................... 341
Physics and Astronomy .................................................................. 348
Home ........................................................................................................... 3 Psychology ....................................................................................... 354
General Information .................................................................................... 4 Religion ............................................................................................ 361
College Calendar ......................................................................................... 5 Romance Languages and Literatures ............................................ 372
The Offer of the College ............................................................................. 7 Russian ............................................................................................. 391
Admission and Financial Aid ..................................................................... 8 Sociology .......................................................................................... 397
Expenses ................................................................................................... 15 Theater and Dance .......................................................................... 404
A Liberal Education at Bowdoin College ................................................. 17 Urban Studies .................................................................................. 419
The Mission of the College ...................................................................... 18 Student Affairs ........................................................................................ 425
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Racial Justice ................................. 20 Prizes ....................................................................................................... 426
The Curriculum ......................................................................................... 21 Officers of Instruction ............................................................................ 427
Academic Standards and Regulations .................................................... 24 Officers of Governance .......................................................................... 438
Off-Campus Study .................................................................................... 35 Courses ................................................................................................... 439
Departments, Programs of Instruction, and Interdisciplinary Majors and Africana Studies (AFRS) ................................................................. 439
Minors ........................................................................................................ 36
Anthropology (ANTH) ...................................................................... 456
Africana Studies ................................................................................ 36
Arabic (ARBC) .................................................................................. 465
Anthropology ...................................................................................... 54
Archaeology (ARCH) ........................................................................ 466
Art ....................................................................................................... 65
Art History (ARTH) ........................................................................... 469
Asian Studies ..................................................................................... 80
Asian Studies (ASNS) ...................................................................... 478
Biochemistry ...................................................................................... 99
Biochemistry (BIOC) ........................................................................ 493
Biology .............................................................................................. 101
Biology (BIOL) .................................................................................. 493
Chemistry ......................................................................................... 113
Chemistry (CHEM) ........................................................................... 501
Cinema Studies ................................................................................ 121
Chinese (CHIN) ................................................................................ 506
Classics ............................................................................................ 128
Cinema Studies (CINE) .................................................................... 507
Computer Science ........................................................................... 140
Classics (CLAS) ............................................................................... 514
Digital and Computational Studies ................................................. 146
Computer Science (CSCI) ................................................................ 518
Earth and Oceanographic Science ................................................. 153
Dance (DANC) .................................................................................. 522
Economics ........................................................................................ 161
Digital and Computational St (DCS) ............................................... 527
Education ......................................................................................... 173
Earth & Oceanographic Science (EOS) ........................................... 533
English .............................................................................................. 178
Economics (ECON) .......................................................................... 538
Environmental Studies .................................................................... 200
Education (EDUC) ............................................................................ 546
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies ........................................ 217
English (ENGL) ................................................................................. 550
German ............................................................................................. 233
Environmental Studies (ENVS) ....................................................... 569
Government and Legal Studies ...................................................... 240
Francophone Studies (FRS) ............................................................ 584
History .............................................................................................. 257
Gender Sexuality and Women St (GSWS) ...................................... 589
Interdisciplinary Majors and Special Areas of Study ..................... 281
German (GER) .................................................................................. 603
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies ............................. 287
Government and Legal Studies (GOV) ............................................ 608
Mathematics .................................................................................... 303
Greek (GRK) ..................................................................................... 623
Middle Eastern and North African Studies ..................................... 311
Hispanic Studies (HISP) .................................................................. 624
Music ................................................................................................ 316
History (HIST) .................................................................................. 630
Neuroscience ................................................................................... 336
Interdisciplinary (INTD) ................................................................... 652
Italian Studies (ITAL) ....................................................................... 653
Japanese (JPN) ............................................................................... 656
Latin (LATN) ..................................................................................... 657
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (LACL) ................. 659
Mathematics (MATH) ...................................................................... 673
Music (MUS) .................................................................................... 678
Neuroscience (NEUR) ...................................................................... 694
Philosophy (PHIL) ............................................................................ 697
Physics (PHYS) ................................................................................ 702
Psychology (PSYC) .......................................................................... 706
Religion (REL) .................................................................................. 711
Russian (RUS) .................................................................................. 719
Sociology (SOC) ............................................................................... 723
Theater (THTR) ................................................................................ 728
Urban Studies (URBS) ..................................................................... 735
Visual Arts (VART) ........................................................................... 739
Compliance Statement ........................................................................... 743
Archive ..................................................................................................... 744
Index ........................................................................................................ 745
2022-2023 Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook 3
HOME
Bowdoin College has produced a general Catalogue since 1807, when a
single broadsheet listed the president, two professors and two tutors; the
1806 graduates (six students), the 1807 graduates (three students); and
the College’s total student body for that year (forty-two). As the College
has grown and evolved, so too has the Catalogue.
The Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook of today
serves as the authoritative source of information about Bowdoin—a
comprehensive snapshot in time of the College. It contains primarily
academic information, including department and program descriptions,
major/minor requirements, and course descriptions, in addition to the
College’s calendar, mission statements, and information about expenses
and governance.
The Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook is overseen by the
Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs and the Office of the Registrar.
The information it contains is updated annually and is accurate as of
August 1, 2022.
Recent editions of the Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic
Handbook can be found in the Archive (https://bowdoin-
public.courseleaf.com/archive/). For a full archive, visit the Bowdoin
Digital Commons (https://digitalcommons.bowdoin.edu/course-
catalogues/).
4 General Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bowdoin is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, residential,
undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of
approximately 20,000 situated close to the Maine coast, twenty-five miles
from Portland and about 120 miles from Boston.
Terms and Vacations: The College holds two sessions each year. The
dates of the semesters and the vacation periods are indicated in the
College Calendar (p. 5).
Accreditation: Bowdoin College is accredited by the New England
Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Enrollment: The student body numbers 1,951 students (49 percent men,
51 percent women; last two classes: 49/51 and 49/51 percent); nearly
300 students study away one or both semesters annually; 93 percent
complete the degree within five years.
Faculty: Student/faculty ratio 9:1; the equivalent of 204 full-time faculty in
residence, 100 percent with PhD or equivalent; twenty-two full-time head
athletic coaches.
Geographic Distribution of Students: New England, 34 percent; Middle
Atlantic states, 21 percent; Midwest, 8 percent; West, 16 percent;
Southwest, 4 percent; South, 9 percent; international, 8 percent. Forty-
nine states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands,
and fifty-four foreign countries are represented. Student of color and
international enrollment are 42 percent.
Statistics: As of June 2022, 42,434 students have matriculated at
Bowdoin College, and 33,918 degrees in academic programs have been
awarded. In addition, earned master’s degrees have been awarded to 274
postgraduate students. Living alumni include 22,108 graduates, 2,199
non-graduates, and 123 honorary degree holders (32 alumni, 91 non-
alumni).
Offices and Office Hours: The Admissions Office is located in Burton-
Little House. The Offices of the President and Dean for Academic Affairs
are located in the west side of Hawthorne-Longfellow Library. The
Treasurer’s Office is located at 82 Federal Street. The Controller’s Office is
located at 216 Maine Street, 2nd Floor, and the Human Resources Office
is located at 216 Maine Street. The Development and Alumni Relations
offices are located at 83 and 85 Federal Street and in Copeland House.
The Office of the Registrar is located in Jewett Hall. The Division of
Student Affairs and the Office of Career Exploration and Development are
in the Moulton Union. The Counseling Service is located at 32 College
Street. The Department of Facilities Management and the Office of Safety
and Security are in Rhodes Hall.
In general, the administrative offices of the College are open from 8:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Telephone Switchboard: Bowdoin College uses an automated call
processing system on its main number, 207-725-3000. A live operator
can be reached twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, by pressing
“0.” Further information about telephone numbers can be found at
bowdoin.edu/directory (https://www.bowdoin.edu/directory/).
Bowdoin College Website: bowdoin.edu (https://www.bowdoin.edu/).
2022-2023 Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook 5
COLLEGE CALENDAR Feb. 9-11, Meetings of the Board of Trustees
Thurs.–Sat.
March 10, Fri. Spring vacation begins after last class
*Religious holidays and Bowdoin's policy on observance of these can be
March 11, Sat. College housing closes for spring vacation, noon
found at the bottom of this page. Federally recognized holidays are also
found at the bottom of this page. March 25, Sat. College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m.
March 27, Mon. Spring vacation ends, 8:00 a.m.
Date Event
March 30–April 1,Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO
221st Academic Thurs.–Sat. National Advisory Board Meetings
Year
April 13-15, Admitted Student Open House
Fall 2022 Thurs.–Sat.
Aug. 21-22, Sun.–First-Year International Student Orientation May 5, Fri. Honors Day
Mon.
May 10, Wed. Last day of classes
Aug. 23, Tues. First-Year arrival day
May 11-13, Meetings of the Board of Trustees
Aug. 24-27, Orientation Trips Thurs.–Sat.
Wed.–Sat.
May 11-14, Reading Period
Aug. 27-30, Sat.– Orientation Thurs.–Sun.
Tues.
May 15-20, Spring semester examinations
Aug. 28, Sun. College housing ready for occupancy for upperclass Mon.–Sat.
students, noon
May 21, Sun. College housing closes for non-graduating students,
Aug. 30, Tues. Opening of the College–Convocation, 3:30 p.m. noon
Aug. 31, Wed. Fall semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. May 26, Fri. Baccalaureate
Sept. 15-18, Explore Bowdoin I May 27, Sat. The 218th Commencement Exercises
Thurs.–Sun.
May 27, Sat. College housing closes for graduating students, 6:00
Sept. 22-24, Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO p.m.
Thurs.–Sat. National Advisory Board meetings
June 1-4, Thurs.– Reunion Weekend
Sept. 30-Oct.2, Homecoming Weekend Sun.
Fri.-Sun.
Oct. 7, Fri. Fall vacation begins after last class * Regular class schedules in effect on holidays listed meet unless
otherwise noted. Staff, check with supervisor to determine if office is
Oct. 12, Wed. Fall vacation ends, 8:00 a.m.
closed.
Oct. 13-15, Meetings of the Board of Trustees
Thurs.–Sat.
In recognition of Bowdoin’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive
Oct. 13-16, Explore Bowdoin II student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our
Thurs.–Sun. students, faculty are encouraged to avoid conflicts between in-class
Oct. 21, Fri. Sarah and James Bowdoin Day examinations and other significant academic work and major religious
Oct. 21-23, Fri.– Family Weekend holidays. The calendar below was developed in collaboration with the
Sun. director of religious and spiritual life, and includes major observances
of the officially recognized religious groups at Bowdoin. In addition, the
Nov. 8, Tues. Election Day
multi-faith calendar (https://hds.harvard.edu/community-life/religious-
Nov. 23, Wed. Thanksgiving vacation begins, 8:00 a.m.
and-spiritual-life/multifaith-calendar/) from the Harvard Divinity School is
Nov. 28, Mon. Thanksgiving vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. a valuable resource regarding many other religious observances that do
Dec. 9, Fri. Last day of classes not appear in the list below, but that may be of significance to members
Dec. 10-13, Sat.– Reading period of our community.
Tues.
Students are expected to declare their intention to observe religious
Dec. 14-19, Fall semester examinations
holidays at the beginning of the semester. Students should work with
Wed.–Mon.
instructors when there are conflicts with scheduled examinations,
Dec. 20, Tues. College housing closes for winter break, noon papers, or project due dates and significant religious holidays observed
Dec. 23-Jan. 8, College holidays, most offices closed by the students so that, when warranted, alternative arrangements for
Fri.-Sun. completing the work may be made.
Spring 2023
Students or faculty who have any questions regarding how best to
Jan. 17, Tues. College housing available for students participating in
balance the academic calendar alongside religious observances are
CXD's Sophomore Bootcamp, 8:00 am
encouraged to consult with the director of religious and spiritual life.
Jan. 18-20, Wed.- Sophomore Bootcamp, Career Exploration and
Fri. Development Date Event
Jan. 21, Sat. College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. Religious
Jan. 23, Mon. Spring semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. Holidays
6 College Calendar
Not within 2022– Eid-al-Adha
2023 academic
year
Sept. 25-27, Sun.- Rosh Hashanah, begins at sundown on Sept. 25 and
Tues. concludes at sundown on Sept. 27
Oct. 4-5, Tues.- Yom Kippur, begins at sundown on Oct. 4 and
Wed. concludes at sundown on Oct. 5
Oct. 24, Mon. Diwali
March 22-April Ramadan, begins at first light on March 22 and
20, Wed.-Thurs. concludes at last light on April 20
April 5-13, Wed.- Passover, begins at sundown on April 5 and concludes
Wed. at sundown on April 13
April 7, Friday Good Friday
April 9, Sunday Easter
April 21-23, Fri.- Eid-al-Fitr, begins at sundown on April 21
Sun.
Federally
Recognized
Holidays
Sept. 5, Mon. Labor Day (classes in session, College holiday, some
offices closed)
Oct. 10, Mon. Columbus Day* (classes not in session - Fall Break,
but offices are open)
Nov. 11, Fri. Veterans Day (classes in session, offices open)
Nov. 24, Thurs. Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-25 are College holidays, most
offices closed)
Dec. 23, Fri. Christmas holiday observed (College holiday, most
offices closed)
Jan. 2, Mon. New Year's Day holiday observed (College holiday,
most offices closed)
Jan. 16, Mon. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (College holiday, some
offices closed)
Feb. 20, Mon. President's Day (classes in session, College holiday,
some offices closed)
May 29, Mon. Memorial Day (College holiday, many offices closed)
June 19, Mon. Juneteenth (College holiday, most offices closed)
July 4, Tues. Fourth of July (College holiday, most offices closed)
* Recognized in Maine as Indigenous Peoples' Day
2022-2023 Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook 7
THE OFFER OF THE COLLEGE
To be at home in all lands and all ages;
To count Nature a familiar acquaintance,
And Art an intimate friend;
To gain a standard for the appreciation of others’ work
And the criticism of your own;
To carry the keys of the world’s library in your pocket,
And feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake;
To make hosts of friends . . .
Who are to be leaders in all walks of life;
To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms
And cooperate with others for common ends—
This is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life.
Adapted from the original “Offer of the College,” published in 1906 as the
foreword to The College Man and the College Woman by William DeWitt
Hyde, seventh president of Bowdoin College (1885–1917).
8 Admission and Financial Aid
ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL December. Students who choose to interview with a Bowdoin alumnus or
alumna must submit their requests before December 1 of each year.
AID
All Early Decision and Regular Decision admissions decisions for US
citizens, permanent residents, and international students are made
Admission to the College under a “need-blind” policy. Under this policy, an applicant’s financial
resources are not a factor in determining whether or not the student
Each year the Admissions Committee at Bowdoin College evaluates will be admitted.  All students who anticipate needing financial aid are
applications for admission through its three application programs: Early required to complete an aid application. See Financial Aid, below, for
Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. The College strives to more details. Since the fall of 2016, Bowdoin waives the application fee
attract a diverse, multitalented, intellectually adventurous student body. for any student applying for financial aid from the College, and/or for
In selecting the first-year class, the Committee pays close attention to first-generation students (neither parent has a degree from a four-year
a variety of factors; these include a student’s academic achievements, institution).
extracurricular involvements, and potential to contribute to the Bowdoin
community. More information is available at bowdoin.edu/admissions (http://
bowdoin.edu/admissions/).
Bowdoin requires all applicants to submit the Common Application, or
Admission: Policies and Procedures
the Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application and complete
the Bowdoin Supplement. These applications provide students with a
In May 1989, the Governing Boards of Bowdoin College approved the
uniform framework to present their credentials. No preference is given
following statement on admissions:
among the applications.
Bowdoin College is, first and foremost, an academic institution.
While no single factor determines a candidate’s eligibility for admission,
Hence academic accomplishments and talents are given the
Bowdoin College is, first and foremost, an academic institution. Therefore,
greatest weight in the admissions process. While accomplishments
an applicant’s high school performance and the level of challenge
beyond academic achievements are considered in admissions
represented by the coursework are of particular interest to the members
decisions, these are not emphasized to the exclusion of those
of the Admissions Committee. Each applicant must make arrangements
applicants who will make a contribution to Bowdoin primarily in the
with the appropriate high school administrator to submit all official high
academic life of the College. In particular, applicants with superior
school transcripts. The Admissions Committee strives to understand
academic records or achievements are admitted regardless of their
each student’s performance in the proper context and therefore requires
other accomplishments. All Bowdoin students must be genuinely
high school administrators to submit a Secondary School Report (SSR)
committed to the pursuit of a liberal arts education, and therefore
and a High School Profile. Doing so enables the Committee to properly
all successful applicants must demonstrate that they can and will
interpret the information presented on the transcript(s). Ideally, the
engage the curriculum seriously and successfully.
profile illuminates individual high school policies regarding issues such
as weighting of grades, rank in class, Honors/AP/ IB course offerings, At the same time that it is an academic institution, Bowdoin is also
etc. Comments from school officials on the SSR as well as a letter of a residential community. To enhance the educational scope and
recommendation from one teacher who has taught the student in an stimulation of that community, special consideration in the admissions
academic core subject (core subjects include English, math, lab sciences, process is given to applicants who represent a culture, region, or
social sciences, and foreign languages) and one additional teacher background that will contribute to the diversity of the College. To
or other recommendation can also help the Admissions Office better ensure that the College community thrives, special consideration in the
understand a prospective student’s preparation for Bowdoin. Since admissions process is also given to applicants who have demonstrated
1969, the College has made the submission of standardized testing talents in leadership, in communication, in social service, and in other
an optional part of the application. Prospective students may decide fields of endeavor that will contribute to campus life and to the common
whether or not their individual test results will enhance their academic good thereafter. And to support the extracurricular activities that
profile and application. Home-schooled students and students attending constitute an important component of the overall program at Bowdoin,
high schools with narrative evaluations only must submit either a graded and that enrich the life of the campus community, special consideration
paper or lab assignment between three and five pages in length that in the admissions process is also given to applicants with talents in the
includes written feedback and grading metrics—or results from either the arts, in athletics, and in other areas in which the College has programs.
SAT or ACT, in addition to their other application materials. The goal is a student body that shares the common characteristic of
intellectual commitment but within which there is a considerable range of
Because of the residential nature of the College, the strong emphasis
backgrounds, interests, and talents.
on community values, and a core belief in collaboration and the open
exchange of ideas both in and beyond the classroom, the Admissions Although Bowdoin does not require that a student seeking admission
Committee does not limit its assessment to a student’s transcript and take a prescribed number of courses, the typical entering first-year
testing. Students have the opportunity, through the personal statement student will have had four years each of English, foreign language,
and the optional supplemental essay and video response, to reveal the mathematics, and social science, and three to four years of laboratory
quality and depth of their thinking, their ability to communicate ideas in sciences. Further, most will have taken courses in the arts, music, and
writing, and how they approach learning and the opportunity to interact computer science.
with others. Students also detail the activities that have captured their
interest, areas of accomplishment and recognition, and how they have Candidates applying to Bowdoin College are evaluated by members of the
focused their energies outside the classroom. When possible, applicants admissions staff in terms of the following factors: academic record, the
are encouraged to visit the campus, interview, and/or attend a virtual level of challenge represented in the candidate’s coursework, counselor/
event or offering. Interviews are available from early June until early teacher/other recommendations, application and essays, overall
2022-2023 Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook 9
academic potential, school and community involvement, leadership, and their SAT I (Reasoning Test) or ACT scores should complete all
personal qualities. examinations no later than January of the senior year if applying
under the Regular Decision program. Students will indicate their
Application and Admission Procedures
choice regarding use of tests on the application.
Students may apply to Bowdoin through the regular admissions program
5. Visit and Interview: A personal interview is strongly encouraged.
or through either of two early decision programs. The application
Interviews are available with a member of the admissions staff or
deadline for Early Decision I is November 15. The deadline for Early
a senior interviewer. A number of carefully selected and trained
Decision II and Regular Decision is January 5. Application materials for
Bowdoin senior students conduct interviews to supplement regular
all programs are the same, except that early decision applicants must
staff appointments during the summer months and from September
also complete the Early Decision Agreement that is included with the
into December. In-person and virtual interviews are available from
application materials.
early June through early December. In addition, members of the
The Application includes the Personal Application, the Secondary School Bowdoin Regional Admissions Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) are
Report, a Mid-Year School Report, one Teacher Evaluation form, one available worldwide to provide interviews locally or virtually.
other Teacher or Other Evaluation form, an optional arts supplement
6. Notification: All candidates will receive a final decision on their
and optional video response, and the Early Decision form, if applicable.
application for admission by the end of March. A commitment
Students may apply using the Common Application or the Coalition
to enroll is not required of any first-year candidate (except those
Application; the requirements are the same, with no preference on which
applying for Early Decision) until May 1. To accept an offer
application is submitted. The College is also a QuestBridge partner
of admission from Bowdoin, a student must submit a $300
and accepts match and non-match applications (with the required
admissions deposit or a deposit waiver/statement of matriculation
Bowdoin Supplement). Those who wish to be considered for financial
confirmation, which is credited to the first semester’s bill.
aid must file the College Scholarship Service Profile online or the
appropriate international aid forms. US citizens and permanent residents
7. Bowdoin will waive the application fee for any first-generation-
seeking financial aid are required to complete the FAFSA. Applicants for
to-college student and/or for any student applying for financial aid
admission must also submit the $65 application fee or an application fee
from the College.
waiver. Application fees are automatically waived for first-generation-to-
college students and/or for any student applying for financial aid from 8. All acceptances are contingent upon completion of the senior
the College. year in good academic and social standing.
Regular First-Year Admission Early Decision
The following items constitute a completed admissions folder: Bowdoin offers admission through two Early Decision programs in
addition to the Regular Decision round. Candidates who are certain
1. The Common Application, or the Coalition Application, or the
that Bowdoin is their first choice may wish to consider this option. The
QuestBridge Application, and Bowdoin Supplement submitted with
guidelines for Early Decision are as follows:
the application fee ($65). The deadline for regular applications is
January 5. 1. Candidates’ application files must include the Early Decision
agreement form, indicating that they wish to be considered for
2. School Report: The college advisor’s assessment of the
Early Decision and that they will enroll if admitted. Early Decision
candidate’s character and accomplishments and a copy of the
candidates may file regular or non-binding early applications at
secondary school transcript should be submitted to Bowdoin no
other colleges, but only with the understanding that these will be
later than January 5. A transcript of grades through the midyear
withdrawn and no new applications will be initiated if they are
marking period (Mid-Year School Report) should be returned to
accepted under an Early Decision plan.
Bowdoin by February 15.
2. The Common Application, or the Coalition Application, or the
3. Recommendations: Each candidate is required to submit one
QuestBridge Application, essays, accompanied by the Early
teacher recommendation, which should be completed by a core
Decision agreement, a School Report Form, a secondary school
academic subject teacher. Core academic subjects are English,
transcript of grades, one teacher recommendation, one other
foreign language, mathematics, science, and social studies.
recommendation, and the application fee of $65 (or fee-waiver)
An additional teacher or other recommendation must also be
must be submitted to Bowdoin by November 15 for Early Decision I
completed. Recommendations should be submitted as soon as
(notification by mid-December), or by January 5 for Early Decision II
possible and no later than January 5.
(notification by mid-February).
4. College Board or ACT Scores: Bowdoin is test-optional and allows
3. Candidates admitted via Early Decision who have financial need
each applicant to decide if their standardized test results should
as established through review of required financial aid documents
be considered as part of the application. In recent years, up to 46
by the College will be notified of the amount of their award along
percent of Bowdoin’s matriculating applicants chose not to submit
with their Early Decision acceptance, provided their financial aid
standardized test results. The candidate is responsible for making
forms are on file at Bowdoin by the application deadlines.
arrangements to take the examinations and for ensuring that
Bowdoin receives the scores if they want them to be considered 4. Submit SAT or ACT scores if the candidate so desires.
as part of the application. Students should arrange for an official
report of the scores to be sent by the testing agency. Scores may 5. An Early Decision acceptance is contingent upon completion of
also be submitted by a school counselor or the student may submit the senior year in good academic and social standing.
them through their Application Portal. Students choosing to submit
10 Admission and Financial Aid
6. There are three possible admission decisions for Early Decision the Bowdoin degree from approved exams or other approved college/
I candidates: admission to Bowdoin, deferral for consideration in university courses.
March, and denial of admission. Each year a number of applicants
Home-Schooled Applicants
who are deferred under Early Decision are accepted in March, when
decisions on all regular admissions are released. Early Decision Home-schooled applicants and candidates applying from secondary
candidates may be denied admission if the Admissions Committee schools that provide written evaluations rather than grades are required
concludes that their credentials will not be competitive for further to submit either a graded paper or lab assignment between three and five
consideration in the Regular admission round. pages in length that includes written feedback and grading metrics—or
results from either the SAT or ACT, in addition to their other application
7. Responsibility for understanding and complying with the rules for
materials. A personal interview is also strongly recommended.
Early Decision rests with the candidate. Should an Early Decision
candidate violate the provisions of the program, the College may International Students
rescind any offer of admission and financial aid.
The Admissions Committee welcomes the perspective that international
Deferred Admission students bring to the Bowdoin community. Admissions policies and
procedures for international students are the same as for regular first-
Admitted students who wish to delay their matriculation to the College for
year applicants, with one exception: All international students who
one year must request a deferred enrollment from the dean of admissions
submit the College Scholarship Service Foreign Student Financial Aid
by June 1, explaining the reasons for delaying matriculation. Bowdoin will
Form or the Bowdoin International Financial Aid Form or Canadian
hold a place in the next entering class for any student who is granted a
students who submit the Canadian Financial Aid Form (both available
deferment. The student, in return, must agree to withdraw all applications
on the Bowdoin student aid website) when they file the application for
at other colleges or universities and may not apply for admission to
admission will be considered for Bowdoin funds to defray part of their
other institutions during the deferral year. Financial aid candidates
college costs.
must reapply for aid during the year following the deferral. The $300
nonrefundable admissions deposit (or deposit waiver) is still due by the Transfer Students
May 1 reply date.
Each year, a limited number of students from other colleges and
Admission with Advanced Standing universities will be admitted to sophomore or junior standing at Bowdoin.
The following information pertains to transfer candidates:
Bowdoin recognizes College Entrance Examination Board Advanced
Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) results and may 1. Students should file the Transfer Common Application and
grant advanced placement and credit toward graduation for superior essay (a brief statement indicating the reasons for transferring
performance in those programs. Applicants to Bowdoin are encouraged to Bowdoin), and the Bowdoin Supplement (available from the
to have AP and IB test results sent to the Admissions Office. Common Application) with the $65 application fee by March 1 for
fall admission. Applicants must arrange to have submitted by the
Decisions on both placement and credit are made by the appropriate
same deadlines transcripts of their college and secondary school
academic department in each subject area. Some departments offer
records, a statement from a dean or advisor at their university or
placement examinations during the orientation period to assist them
college, and at least two recommendations from current or recent
in making appropriate determinations. Every effort is made to place
professors. As soon as it becomes available, an updated transcript
students in the most advanced courses for which they are qualified,
including spring semester grades should also be sent. Candidates
regardless of whether they have taken AP or IB examinations before
whose applications are complete will normally be notified of
matriculation. Determinations of advanced placement and credit are
Bowdoin’s decision in late April. (While space is rarely available
made during the student’s first year at Bowdoin. Credit and placement
for spring transfer admission, details about spring admission can
policies for AP and IB examinations may be found on the Office of the
be found at bowdoin.edu/admissions (https://www.bowdoin.edu/
Registrar website.
admissions/).)
Some students have the opportunity to enroll in college-level coursework
2. Transfer candidates usually present academic records of “B+”
prior to high school graduation. Bowdoin College will consider granting
work or better in a course of study that approximates the work that
credit for pre-college coursework, providing the following criteria have
would have been done at Bowdoin had they entered as first-year
been met: the coursework must have been completed on a college
students. Bowdoin accepts transfer credit for liberal arts courses in
campus, must have been completed in a class with matriculated college
which a grade of C– or higher has been received. Transfer students
students, may not have been used to satisfy any high school graduation
should understand that although they may expect an estimate
requirements, and must represent a standard of achievement comparable
regarding class standing upon transferring, official placement
to what is expected at Bowdoin in a field of study characteristic of the
is possible only after updated transcripts have arrived at the
liberal arts. Questions about applying for transfer credit can be directed
registrar’s office and have been appraised by the appropriate dean
to the Office of the Registrar or viewed on their website at bowdoin.edu/
and academic departments. To qualify for the bachelor of arts
registrar (https://www.bowdoin.edu/registrar/).
degree, students must complete Distribution Requirements and
Division Requirements, and these requirements normally must be
First-year students who matriculated prior to fall 2013 may apply a
satisfied by courses taken at Bowdoin.
maximum of eight course credits toward the degree from the Advanced
Placement program, the International Baccalaureate program, or pre-
3. Although two years of residence are required for a Bowdoin
college coursework. Students who matriculate beginning in the fall of
degree, students who have completed more than four semesters
2013 may apply a maximum of four pre-matriculation credits toward
of college work are welcome to apply for admission, with this