Bowdoin College
A liberal arts college on the Maine coast known for its food-centric residential culture, strong Arctic studies programs, and a 'common good' ethos that runs through nearly every aspect of student life.
- Next deadline
- Not listedConfirm on the official admissions site
- Essays
- 2Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 8%Highly selective
- Enrollment
- 1,915Small undergrad
Build your Bowdoin College application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Deadlines not available — check the school's official admissions page.
Supplemental essay prompts
- Supplement250 words2026-2027
Which line from The Offer resonates most with you? (Based on The Offer of the College: "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.")
- Supplement250 words2026-2027
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.
How to approach Bowdoin College's supplemental essays
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Use this as a blank structure for a Bowdoin College supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Bowdoin College, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Bowdoin College require?
Bowdoin College has 2 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Bowdoin College accept the Common Application?
Yes — Bowdoin College accepts the Common Application.
What is Bowdoin College's acceptance rate?
Bowdoin College's most recently reported acceptance rate is 8.0%.
What is Bowdoin College's "Which line from The Offer resonates…" prompt (#1, 250 words)?
Which line from The Offer resonates most with you? (Based on The Offer of the College: "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.")
What is Bowdoin College's "If you wish, you may share…" prompt (#2, 250 words)?
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.
Sources and verification
We prioritize Bowdoin College's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record was last verified on July 5, 2026 for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Review official source →