SUMMER EARLY COLLEGE
In “College World” summer starts May 6. You still have time to sign-up though!
The registration deadline is a week before the class starts.
There are actually a lot of start dates so pay attention!
Any summer courses will count toward your 12 credit (typically four courses) allotment for the 24-25 school year.
There’s some good stuff! Check it out!
https://umaine.edu/earlycollege/courses/summer-courses/
Cohen Leadership Program (for high school students)
If you have an interest in Public Policy and are considering a Poli Sci major, this is an amazing opportunity for you!
CHILLS can only nominate two students! Reach out to your counselor if you are interested!
And if you like that, you’re gonna’ love this! UMaine Congressional Internship Program
The University of Maine Congressional Internship Program, founded in 1958 by Dr. Edward Dow, is the oldest Washington D.C. internship program in the nation. Interns are selected through a highly competitive application process to live in D.C. and work full time in Congress each spring semester.
In addition to the internship itself, the program includes monthly seminars in which the interns meet with high-level officials to discuss the political process in Washington.
But wait, there’s more! Summer Outdoor Leadership Program
And more! STEM Exploration Course
Finally FAFSA!
The DOE has (finally) started sending financial data to colleges…
Don’t expect to see your financial aid packages just yet, however.
Colleges need time to process the information and develop financial aid packages.
This is why everyone has been freaking out…
April first is the traditional date by which students need to commit to their college. If a school that you have applied to has not pushed the date back a month, there is a plausible scenario that you would need to commit BEFORE you know what you’re getting for Fin Aid.
This is why everyone has been freaking out…
FAFSA be like… Hold On, I’m Coming
So You Want to Be a Property Manager?
SMCC has got that!
Pet End of Life Doula Certificate Available Online at UNE
I didn’t even know that this was a thing… now it’s in my “Top 10 Jobs I Could Never Do…”
The University of New England Online has announced it is offering a six-week, 100% online End-of-Life Pet Doula Certificate program designed to provide participants the skills needed to deliver practical, compassionate, informed, and supportive care for pets and their families as pets approach the end of life.
Through the program, students will gain expertise in such areas as advanced pet care planning, grief support, and emotional guidance. Moreover, the certificate fosters personal growth and fulfillment, empowering individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their families, providing solace, companionship, and a peaceful transition for beloved animal companions.
It’s been a mystery…
But still we try to see…
Why something good can head so bad…
UT Austin is going back to mandatory testing
RPI has extended test optional for another year
Stay tuned for next week’s edition of “As The Stomach Churns”…
If you want to take this course and are unable to afford it, we may be able to help! Talk to your School Counselor!
Why Old Arguments for Earning a Diploma Don’t Resonate
How After School Programs Can Harm Teens’ Mental Health
How to Build a Strategic College List in 5 Steps
Bowdoin Campus Visit 2/24/24
You can’t escape the admission percentages: Bowdoin is a highly selective small liberal arts college. The last Class that they assembled (2027) had 10,966 applicants for 850 available spots–an 8% acceptance rate. Given that it was the second record-breaking year in a row, it seems likely that things are going to keep getting tighter. If our campus tour (with 50ish of our closest friends) is any indication, the admission percentage is going to continue downward. It’s getting to be like a limbo contest in small liberal arts colleges (SLACS)--how low can you go?
There is a small bit of good news for Maine kids, however. Bowdoin has a strong sense of place in Maine, and a long history of supporting students from Maine–9% of the class was comprised of Maine kids. It’s not a huge difference, but every little bit helps.
As you know if you have read my prior reviews, I take a measure of diversity at the schools I visit in part by the composition of the interested students and parents, which in this case were predominantly white by a pretty large measure. However, our tour guide is Latina and she stated that she feels really comfortable at Bowdoin and has a community there.
Bowdoin was the first college in the US to go test optional (in 1969) and they continue to be so today:
“Since 1969, we've been selecting the right applicants for Bowdoin, using only the materials that we require of you: your transcripts, your writing, and how your teachers talk about you.
This policy allows applicants to decide for themselves whether or not their SAT or ACT results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential. For candidates electing to submit them, test scores will be reviewed along with other indicators of academic ability.
Forty-six percent of students in the Class of 2026 chose not to submit their scores.”
Bowdoin is a partner with the Transfer Scholars Network
We know that hundreds of thousands of students enrolling in community colleges across the country want to transfer to four-year institutions—and many of them can thrive at the nation’s highly selective four-year colleges and universities. We're here to provide the information and guidance they need to realize their potential.
The Transfer Scholars Network works to connect high-achieving community college students to dedicated admissions representatives from 16 top four-year colleges with some of the nation's most generous financial aid programs.
And Questbridge, which also assists low income kids to attain admission to partner highly selective colleges. In other words, they out their money where their mouth is in terms of actively seeking and welcoming disadvantaged kids.
Bowdoin is financial need blind for every applicant and meets 100% of the calculated need for every admitted student without loans. 51% of students receive financial aid ($69,000 average award); 29% had 0% student or parent loan.
Bowdoin's Digital Excellence Commitment ensures digital equity by providing a free MacBook, iPad, and Apple pencil for all students. And an added bonus! Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings ‘83 is a Bowdoin grad and provides free accounts for all members of the Bowdoin community.
Hastings also developed Bowdoin’s THRIVE program:
Many low-income and first-generation students have often described their college experience as one of survival.
How can we help students get from survive to thrive? With a generous gift from Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings ’83, Bowdoin created THRIVE—a college-wide initiative for these students that encompasses a range of programming and mentorship.
These programs aim to help students early and often—starting with the transition to college, and continuing through academic advising, peer mentoring, and leadership development. THRIVE draws on best practices for inclusive excellence and fosters innovative curricular and pedagogical approaches to instruction. Pedagogical approaches aside, yes:
THRIVE is also a place to hang out.
All THRIVE students have 24/7 access to a dedicated space on campus where they study together, socialize, snack, celebrate shared victories, attend workshops, and plan community-building activities. Programs that are supported by THRIVE include:
More than half (55%) of Bowdoin students study abroad during their time, aided by the Off-Campus Study office. There are more than 100 amazing opportunities
CXD (Career Exploration and Development) is pretty clearly a big deal on campus. There is no such thing as an unpaid internship at Bowdoin. If the internship that you land doesn’t pay you, Bowdoin will!
Their Sophomore Boot Camp program helps all students develop their career goals
https://www.bowdoin.edu/cxd/skills-workshops-and-programs/sophomore-bootcamp.html
Over 200 students are paid to assist faculty research
https://www.bowdoin.edu/student-fellowships/summer-op
42% of Polar Bears identify as students of color. Bowdoin recently initiated a Black Student Summit bringing students together from all three of Maine’s “Little Ivies.”
https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2024/02/bowdoin-hosts-tri-college-black-student-summit.html
AND, Brunswick was just named one of New England’s notable college towns!
Bowdoin students each sign the Matriculation Book that is maintained of all scholars who have attended the college, including some of its most influential graduates Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne (who signed the book in 1821 and were actually roommates). Some other famous Bowdoin grads include a US President (Franklin Pierce) a Civil War Hero (Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain), the Founder and CEO of Netflix (Reed Hastings), and the first woman to win the gold in Olympic marathon (Joan Benoit Samuelson). You’ll be in pretty amazing company if you get in.
Although I still believe that there are wizened, cackling Burnsian Deans of Enrollment Management at SLACs around the country that take delight in rejecting more students to bring their acceptance rates down, I don’t believe that they are at Bowdoin. As with Colby, you can’t help but come away with the sense that they just want to be the best college that they can be, continuing to build on two centuries plus of excellence. If you are lucky enough to get in, all of the elements of an amazing experience await you. This is a reach worth reaching for!