Bowdoin College - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

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.

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

Applicants have 45 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