Explore Bowdoin
If you are a low-income and/or first-generation-to-college member of the Class of 2026, then Explore Bowdoin is for you.
Experience Bowdoin for yourself—Bowdoin handles all of the logistics and covers the cost of the trip!
There is a lot to discover about our vibrant college on the coast of Maine. We invite you to experience Bowdoin (bo-dun) for yourself.
Stay with students, attend classes, meet professors, eat in the dining halls, explore downtown Brunswick, check out student clubs and organizations—and learn about the college admissions process and financial aid along the way.
Explore 1: September 18-20, 2025
Explore 2: October 16-18, 2025
Questions? Email explore@bowdoin.edu
The Explore Bowdoin application will open in late spring 2025.
Who can apply?
Interested high school seniors living in the United States intending to enter college in Fall 2026 are welcome to apply. Please note that preference is given to applicants from lower income backgrounds, students who will be the first in their families to attend college, or those who come from rural areas.The Explore Bowdoin application will open in late spring 2025.
Explore Bowdoin FAQs
What do I need to submit as a part of my application?
The application includes some brief information about you, your school and academics, plus a couple short answer questions ( between 100-250 words). We also ask you to submit a copy of your transcript through the end of 11th grade (can be official or unofficial). The application should take no more than an hour to complete.
Are test scores required as part of the application?
Explore Bowdoin, like our first-year application, is test-optional. You are not required to submit test scores.
What can I expect during the program?
Typically, around 70 students attend each of our programs. You can expect to stay with a current student host overnight while you are here. Your meals (including Bowdoin’s late night option Supersnack!) will be provided at our dining halls. You will be able to attend real Bowdoin classes, learn more about Admissions and Student Aid, and have an admissions interview. Students can also look forward to a field trip to the Schiller Coastal Studies Center and lots of fun events with student organizations. Explore is meant to be a glimpse into a typical few days at Bowdoin.
Are there any costs associated with applying and/or participating in Explore Bowdoin?
No! It is free to apply to Explore Bowdoin. If selected to participate, Bowdoin handles all of the logistics and covers the cost of the trip. All you need to do is get to your local transportation hub (such as an airport, train station, or bus station) and we cover the rest including flights, bus or train tickets, and ground transportation to and from campus once you arrive in Maine.