Bowdoin College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Psychology
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Heterosexual Female
Summary
I’m a student-athlete and I’m part of Bowdoin Global Health Club.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: Public school in Denver, CO with a graduating class of about 500 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Major: Psychology
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I’m a student-athlete and I’m part of Bowdoin Global Health Club.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your major?
The beginner classes were a lot of exams. As you got to the upper-level classes, there were all research projects, papers, and small discussions.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department did especially well or poorly?
The Psychology department is pretty small so I felt that I got to know my professors really well, which I really loved. I loved the upper-level classes and felt that professors knew you really well so they knew how to help you out.
What was your favorite class in your major?
Clinical Psychology
What was your least favorite class in your major?
Intro to Psychology
Why did you pick your major?
Originally, I thought I was going to be a Biology major. But, I took a few lower-level Psychology classes and I really enjoyed them so I kept taking classes and decided that would be my major. I think the Psychology professors were what made the difference in the choice.
How was managing both your sport and coursework?
I was definitely a lot busier when I was in-season, but I also felt that I was more productive. I think Bowdoin does a good job of making a balance.
Reasons to Attend
1) The people, everyone is so welcoming and incredible.
2) I loved the balance between sports and academics.
3) The location in Maine makes it special.
4) The professors are incredible.
5) The food is really good.
6) It sets you up well for life after college.
The overall experience I had was just incredible. I made wonderful connections and learned about myself and other people.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) For some people, it would be the location. It’s hard to get to and isolated.
2) The size, for some people, is too small. [There are about 1,800 students.]
3) The winters.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on campus?
Freshman: Quad in Appleton, which is a freshman dorm.
Sophomore: Quad in Howard Hall.
Junior: I lived in the Brunswick Apartments with two roommates. I went abroad for the second semester.
Senior: I lived in an off-campus house with 8 other people. I had my own bedroom for the first time.
How safe do you feel on campus and in the surrounding area?
I feel very safe on campus. It’s very small so I don’t think anything would happen. I wouldn’t walk around downtown Brunswick late at night, there are some creepy people.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
Wild Oats Café and Frontier.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
Popham Beach.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities did you like to participate in?
I feel like most Bowdoin students go out Friday and Saturday and then senior year it completely changes. What nights I go out also depends if I’m in season or not. We’d usually go to all the off-campus houses and when you’re a senior you will sometimes go to a few bars in Brunswick.
What is an alternative to going to a party or bar that you like for a night out?
Bowdoin puts on lots of different events, like plays, musicals, things like that. Also, some people like to go bowling.
How happy were you with the nightlife at Bowdoin? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m really happy with it. I don’t think I would change anything.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
I met a few through my sport, and I randomly met all the other ones. Living on-campus for a summer is how I met three of my closest friends now.
How would you describe the social scene?
I loved it. Compared to my high school, there were more people that I shared common interests with. I feel that it’s a very welcoming social scene. It’s very welcoming and inclusive.
Do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
Yeah, more so than my high school.
Do people seem happy with Bowdoin by senior year?
I think so, at least all of my friends loved it. Senior year we were all so sad to leave.