Bowdoin College Admits 7% Of Students To The Class of 2028

04/22/2024•11 minute read
Bowdoin College Admits 7% Of Students To The Class of 2028

Bowdoin’s Class of 2028 admissions cycle reflects unprecedented levels of selectivity. The Regular Decision acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 remains competitive at 6.4%. This comes amidst an overall surge in applications, with 13,265 students vying for spots and a 7% overall acceptance rate. While the Early Decision acceptance rate was slightly higher (13.5%), both figures highlight the intense competition for a place at Bowdoin College.


Bowdoin’s Class of 2028 Acceptance Results: A Record-Breaking Year

Bowdoin College announced that it received 13,265 applications for the Class of 2028, marking a 20% increase from the Class of 2027. Out of these, only 924 applicants were granted admission offers, resulting in a 7% acceptance rate overall.

This competitive admissions environment highlights the remarkable quality of students admitted, showcasing exceptional academic prowess, diverse talents, and the promise of meaningful contributions to Bowdoin's community.

Bowdoin's Class of 2028 Acceptance Statistics
Number of ApplicationsAccepted StudentsAcceptance Rate
Early Decision2,00520713.5%
Regular Decision11,2607176.4%
Overall13,2659247%

Class of 2028 Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rates for Bowdoin’s Class of 2028 Regular Decision highlight the rigorous selectivity of their admissions process. This year saw a 20% increase in Regular Decision applications compared to the previous year, rising from 10,934 to 13,265. Despite this larger applicant pool, the number of accepted students saw a slight increase, from 879 to 924.

The latest Regular Decision acceptance rate of 6.4% poses a significant challenge for prospective students. This displays the outstanding quality of students who secure admission—they exhibit exceptional academic achievements, diverse talents, and the potential to make meaningful contributions to the Bowdoin community.

Class of 2028 Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The Early Decision results for Bowdoin’s Class of 2028 reveal fierce competition, boasting a 13.5% acceptance rate. Bowdoin also observed a rise in Early Decision applications, rising from 1,572 to 2,005.

Applying Early: A Potential Advantage

Though Bowdoin’s Early Decision acceptance rate remains highly competitive, it does present a slight edge over Regular Decision. This year, the Early Decision acceptance rate stood at 13.5%, in contrast to 4.93% for Regular Decision. Applying early offers a strategic advantage in this competitive landscape—it showcases your keen interest in Bowdoin and positions you against a smaller pool of applicants.

Bowdoin Acceptance Trends Over the Past Decade: What the Numbers Reveal

Over the last decade, Bowdoin College has experienced substantial shifts in its admissions landscape. Looking deeper at Bowdoin's acceptance rate data reveals noticeable trends: rising application numbers, heightened interest in early decision applications, and a corresponding decrease in acceptance rates. Here's a closer look at what these trends signify for potential applicants.

Key Trends

  • Escalating Competition: One of the most notable trends is the continual rise in overall applications coupled with a steady decrease in acceptance rates. This trend underscores the heightened competitiveness of gaining admission to Bowdoin, particularly evident in recent years.
  • Early Application Trends: The ED acceptance rate, while still higher in acceptance rate compared to the RD acceptance rate, has progressively become more selective over time.
  • Regular Decision Surge: There has been a notable increase in regular decision applications. This trend indicates Bowdoin's increasing appeal as a top-tier college, even outside early decisions.

Bowdoin's Acceptance Statistics Last 10 Years
Class of Total ApplicationsTotal AcceptedTotal Acceptance Rate
202813,2659247%
202710,9668798%
20269,3768629.2%
20259,3258228.8%
20249,4028619.2%
20239,3328459.1%
20229,08193210.3%
20217,25198813.6%
20206,7991,00914.8%
20196,7901,01014.9%

The increasing applicant numbers and decreasing acceptance rates at Bowdoin reflect the broader landscape of elite college admissions.

Regardless of application timing, prospective students should be prepared to present a truly exceptional profile to stand out in this competitive environment.

What Kind of Student Gets into Bowdoin?

It's clear that to gain admission to Bowdoin, students need to present a truly exceptional profile that extends beyond standardized test scores and academic records.

How Crimson Can Help You Stand Out

Bowdoin’s record-breaking low acceptance rates and the broader trends in elite admissions highlight how challenging it has become to gain entry into top universities. In this highly competitive landscape, seeking guidance from experienced college admissions advisors can be a significant advantage. Advisors offer personalized support throughout the complex application process, helping you:

  • Craft a Compelling Narrative: They work with you to identify your unique strengths, passions, and experiences. This helps shape a cohesive application that showcases your potential to contribute to the Bowdoin community.
  • Navigate Strategic Choices: Advisors can provide insights on application timing (early vs. regular), test score submission, and highlight areas where you can further boost your profile.
  • Excel in Every Aspect: From essay coaching to interview preparation, advisors ensure each application component is polished and demonstrates your preparedness for Bowdoin’s rigorous academic environment.

Proven Success in a Competitive Landscape

Crimson Education has a track record of helping students achieve their admissions goals. Our personalized approach and expertise in selective admissions have led to impressive results. This year alone, over 2,000 Crimson students were accepted to top US universities. Here's a breakdown of our numbers for the Class of 2028:

  • 262 offers to the Ivy League.
  • 598 offers to the US Top 20, including offers to Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, University of Chicago, Rice, Vanderbilt, and University of Notre Dame.
  • 2,080+ offers to the US Top 50, including offers to NYU, University of Michigan, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, University of Virginia, and Washington University in St. Louis.
  • 1000+ offers to each student’s first choice school.
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