Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Bowdoin admits about 1 in 15 applicants (6.8%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (7.0% and 7.3%).
$65 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Maine applicants were admitted at 14%, applicants from other states at 11%, and international applicants at 1.3%.
All applicants in the same class: 6.8%
Of those admitted, 69% from Maine enrolled, against 53% from other states and 49% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
54% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
5 admitted from the wait list
Applying early
Early decision: 15% admitted
296 of 1,985 early applicants
Apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 5; decisions by Feb 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Bowdoin reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 35% of first-years sent an SAT and 17% an ACT. Of the 27% whose high school reported a rank, 89% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and science. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test considered; other tests considered
Transferring in
8.0% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 6.8% of first-year applicants
362 applied · 29 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall.
Minimum college GPA: 3.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by March 1, decisions by May 5, reply by June 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 5 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are released: mid-March.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 1 week if admitted later.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 12 months (one year).
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Recommended |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science (lab: 3) | 4 |
| Foreign language | 4 |
| Social studies | 4 |
| Total | 20 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
89% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 100% in the top quarter, of the 27% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Bowdoin College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1505 on the SAT, 335 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (95%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (92%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
84% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 35% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 17% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
179 studentssubmitted ACT
89 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Bowdoin College (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Bowdoin College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Bowdoin College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Bowdoin College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Bowdoin College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)