Bowdoin essay prompts

To be at home in all lands and all ages; To count Nature a familiar acquaintance, and Art an intimate friend; To gain a standard for the appreciation of others' work And the criticism of your own; To carry the keys of the world's library in your pocket, And feel its resources behind you in whatever task you undertake; To make hosts of friends...who are to be leaders in all walks of life; To lose yourself in generous enthusiasms and cooperate with others for common ends – This is the offer of the college for the best four years of your life. Which line from The Offer resonates most with you?

250 words max · Required

If you wish, you may share anything about the unique experiences and perspectives that you would bring with you to the Bowdoin campus and community or an experience you have had that required you to navigate across or through difference.

250 words max · Required

Bowdoin students and alumni often cite the College’s welcoming and supportive community as a defining aspect of their experience. What about Bowdoin’s community — including its people, curriculum, or campus — appeals to you, and how do you see yourself contributing to it? (250–300 words)

300 words max · Required

Bowdoin’s mission is to prepare students for lives of 'usefulness and distinction.' Reflect on a time when you contributed to a community or worked toward a goal that you found meaningful. What did that experience teach you about yourself or the world? (250 words)

250 words max · Required