Your chances of getting into Bowdoin College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
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.
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 Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 720 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 740 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1460 |
| 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 classChance 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 ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 34 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 31 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 33 |
| 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 classChance 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.
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 | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 80% |
| Top 25% of class | 96% |
| Top 50% of class | 99% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| 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% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2024 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 5, 2024.
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?
| 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
| 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.
FAQs
Does Bowdoin College prefer SAT or ACT?
36% of students submit their SAT scores to Bowdoin College. 21% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Bowdoin College?
9% of those who apply are granted admission to Bowdoin College. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Bowdoin College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1460 and 1560. The average SAT score is 1510. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Bowdoin College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. The average ACT score is 34. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.