Bowdoin College

Personal statement required (250-650 words), plus three supplements, plus more depending on your college or program:

1. Required · 140 characters

   How did you first learn about Bowdoin?

   NOT published anywhere on Bowdoin's own website: this short answer lives inside the Bowdoin-specific 'Questions' section of the Common Application. Corroborated by two independent publishers (College Essay Guy 2026/2027, updated 08/03/2026, lists it as Bowdoin supplemental prompt #1; CollegeVine 2025-2026 lists it and calls it 'the only required prompt'). Treat the required status as third-party until someone opens the live Common App.

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2. Optional · max 250 words

   Generations of students have found connection and meaning in Bowdoin’s “The Offer of the College,” written in 1906 by Bowdoin President William DeWitt Hyde. 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?

   Bowdoin titles this 'Bowdoin Supplemental Essay (from The Offer of the College)' and states 'This optional essay (max 250 words) is available in the Bowdoin Supplement.' In the live Common App the applicant first SELECTS one line of The Offer, then writes the reflection; College Essay Guy renders the selection step as '(Select an option.)' and the reflection instruction as 'The Offer represents Bowdoin's values. Please reflect on the line you selected and how it has meaning to you. (250 words)'. Bowdoin's own site phrases the question as the final line quoted here.

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3. Optional · max 250 words

   Bowdoin believes that its broadly diverse and inclusive campus community prepares graduates to be contributing and useful citizens of the world. Every graduate of this institution should be confident in their preparation to be able to navigate through differences and in all sorts of situations. A Bowdoin education does not guarantee these skills, but it does impart a set of tools necessary to bravely enter unfamiliar conditions with the confidence to deal effectively with ambiguity. 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.

   Bowdoin titles this the 'Navigating through Differences Essay' and states 'This optional essay (max 250 words) is available in the Bowdoin Supplement.'

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4. Required (homeschooled applicants only) · Not stated

   Homeschool applicants must submit either a graded paper or lab assignment -or- standardized test scores in addition to their other application materials.

   Graded-paper requirement, quoted verbatim from Bowdoin's required-materials section. Applies only to homeschooled applicants, and is an either/or with standardized test scores.