Announcement
Winter Break Closure
The Bowdoin Admissions and Student Aid Offices will be closed for winter break beginning at 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, December 22, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. EST on Monday, January 5. Admissions staff will begin responding to messages and filing application materials on Monday, January 5.
If you are an applicant, you may check your Application Portal to view your current application materials checklist. If you recently sent materials, please note that it may take several days for them to appear in your checklist. Materials received during our office closure will be processed as soon as possible when we reopen on January 5, 2026.
We recognize that many high schools are also on winter break. Applications must be submitted by the January 5 deadline; however, if needed, school-based materials (such as School Reports, transcripts, or letters of recommendation) may arrive after our January 5 deadline. Questions? Check out our frequently asked questions.
If you are a counselor submitting materials for an applicant, you may upload items through electronic services such as Slate.org, Naviance, Parchment, or SCOIR. Alternatively, materials may be emailed directly to appmaterials@bowdoin.edu.
If you are a prospective student interested in learning more about Bowdoin, we encourage you to introduce yourself so we can keep you apprised of upcoming events and activities.
If you have questions about applying for financial aid or your financial aid documents, please contact the Student Aid Office at sao@bowdoin.edu.
We know this can be a busy time, and we appreciate your patience as we enjoy a short break and work to process a large volume of materials and documents received in the coming days. Please note that documents submitted to the financial aid office after the financial aid deadlines will still be considered, and you will not be disqualified from receiving financial aid.
We wish you a Happy New Year!
and also stressful. And hopeful, and overwhelming, and worth it.
Our job in the Office of Admissions is to help make this time more humane, for you and your family, wherever you are in the process. Have questions? We can help!
Take this time to really explore what Bowdoin has to offer: browse our majors and minors, learn about our location, and get a feel for where you might live, eat, and play.
The people you meet here will be your friends, your network, and your community, for life—so find out what makes Bowdoin different, and ask yourself if this place feels like a good fit.
Bowdoin students conduct research with faculty, dive into discussions, and welcome big, new, difficult questions.
They are driven by a desire to work together—not against each other—to find solutions.
A Bowdoin education is rigorous, but flexible. It's hard work, and it's personal. The curriculum promises to grow your skills as well as your intellect, which is why Bowdoin graduates succeed in so many different careers and industries.
200+
number of students who are supported by Bowdoin each year to do research and fieldwork with faculty.
(That makes Bowdoin one of the most active research institutions among liberal arts colleges!)
83%
of students complete a career-focused internship or conduct research with faculty.
Between 5 and 6 percent of these internships are completed abroad!
More numbers to explore:
Bowdoin College is a nationally-recognized liberal arts college in beautiful midcoast Maine... but you shouldn't just take our word for it.
There are many ways to get to know Bowdoin, both in person and virtually. Check out all the ways to connect, ask questions, and see for yourself. We can't wait to say hello!
Upcoming Virtual Events
Parent of a high school junior?
We have three special virtual information sessions this spring. Learn how you can support your student through the college admissions process..
Sign up for parent-specific virtual info sessions.Your opportunity to be admitted to Bowdoin will never depend on your ability to pay for it.
Bowdoin is one of only ten colleges in the nation that is need blind for every applicant and meets 100% of the calculated need of every student we admit—without using loans in our aid packages.
Bowdoin waives the application fee for any student applying for aid, or who will be the first in their family to attend college.
Estimate your loan-free aid package in five minutes ▸
One less college expense to worry about:
All Bowdoin students receive a new MacBook Pro, iPad mini, and Apple Pencil—loaded with software, and yours to keep upon graduation.
51%
of incoming Bowdoin students receive financial aid.
27%
of aided students received full aid, meaning $0 parent and $0 student contributions.
$72,000
is the average annual aid package awarded to incoming students.