Bowdoin College Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Bowdoin College is 8%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Maine and the 21st 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 879 out of the 10,966 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, 57% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Bowdoin College?

8% 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 1520 on the SAT
• Score 34 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

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

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. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

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 1520 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1480-1550. Students who get into Bowdoin College score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers..  Bowdoin College ranks #1 in the state of Maine and #24 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1520 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Bowdoin College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1480 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1480, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1440, 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 1520 SAT score range.

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 1515, you have around a 8% chance of being admitted. A 1550 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 14% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

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.

22 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

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 8% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 14% with a 35 ACT score.

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.

Admission Statistics

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

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

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?

Credits Accepted