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#25 Best Colleges in America

Bowdoin College Admission Requirements

Brunswick, Maine

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Your chances of getting into Bowdoin College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

9.2%
Admission Difficulty for Bowdoin College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Bowdoin College is 9.2%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Maine and the 27th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Bowdoin College and can you get accepted?

Bowdoin College is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 862 out of the 9,376 who applied were admitted.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 59% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Bowdoin College?

9% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Bowdoin College you should:

  • Score 1510 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Bowdoin College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Bowdoin College has not reported high school GPA data for its accepted students.

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Bowdoin College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Bowdoin College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 36% of students submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1460-1560

Applicants Submitting SAT 

36%
SAT Scores for Bowdoin College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 720
Math 25th Percentile 740
Composite 25th Percentile 1460
SAT Scores for Bowdoin College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 770
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1560
Average SAT Score 1510

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Bowdoin College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Bowdoin College is 1510 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1460-1560. Students who get into Bowdoin College score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers..  Bowdoin College ranks #1 in the state of Maine and #25 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1510 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Bowdoin College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1460 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1460, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1410, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Bowdoin College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1510 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1510, you have around a 9% chance of being admitted. A 1560 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 16% chance of getting in.

Bowdoin College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1560 and Above Good >16%
1510 to 1560 Avg + 9%-16%
1460 to 1510 Avg - 5%-9%
1410 to 1460 Reach 3%-5%
Less than 1410 Low <3%
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Bowdoin College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

33-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

21%
ACT Scores for Bowdoin College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 34
Math 25th Percentile 31
Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Scores for Bowdoin College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Bowdoin College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Bowdoin College is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #1 in Maine and #13 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

21 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Bowdoin College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Bowdoin College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Bowdoin College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 9% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 16% with a 35 ACT score.

Bowdoin College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >16%
34 to 35 Avg + 9%-16%
33 to 34 Avg - 5%-9%
32 to 33 Reach 3%-5%
Less than 32 Low <3%
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High School Class Rank

80% of Bowdoin College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Bowdoin College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 80%
Top 25% of class 96%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Bowdoin College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,382 3,994 9,376
Accepted 470 392 862
Acceptance Rate 9% 10% 9%
Enrolled 276 232 508
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 59% 59% 59%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2025

Days left to Apply

58

Applicants have 58 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Bowdoin College is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Bowdoin College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Bowdoin College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Bowdoin College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Bowdoin College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161004 IPEDS survey data for Bowdoin College.

Last updated February 24, 2024