Bowdoin Supplemental Essays 2022-2023
When it comes to applying to the top schools in the country, your application is vitally important. In order to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission, you need to make sure all aspects of your application are top notch. In this post, we’re going to do a deep dive into how to write Bowdoin supplemental essays, and everything you need to keep in mind as you write. Bowdoin uses the common app, and this means that you will be asked to answer essay questions contained in the common app. But like many top schools, Bowdoin also requires that you complete a short activity-based essay as well as an additional essay about your personal or intellectual growth. The Bowdoin supplemental essays 2022-2023 allow applicants a certain amount of freedom when choosing their supplemental essay topic, but we’re going to look at each essay prompt and discuss the best way to respond to each topic.
So, let’s start by looking at each supplemental essay prompt, and then we will discuss how to approach each one individually.
When it comes to answering the Bowdoin supplemental essays 2022, there are some things to keep in mind. First, the instructions say that this essay is optional, but from our point of view, no essay is really optional. Bowdoin wants to see you take advantage of every opportunity to make your application stand out.
That said, the Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022 is a bit different from other essays you’ve seen on college applications. Instead, Bowdoin, being one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country, asks you to do something a little different.
Bowdoin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2022-2023
The Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022-2023 is based on an adaptation of a poem by former Bowdoin College President, William DeWitt Hyde called The Offer of the College. The essay comes in two parts, a required essay and an optional essay that follows up on the first essay. Of course, we do not consider the second essay to be optional at all. Let’s start by looking at The Offer of the College.
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.
Now we can discuss the essays, and how to approach them.
How to write Bowdoin supplemental essays?
Students often wonder how to write the Bowdoin supplemental essays because they are so different from other college essays. But in many ways, this task isn’t really that different. Ultimately, your goal is to demonstrate your academic curiosity and integrity. You just have to be more creative about it. The first part of the essay is required.
Which line from “The Offer” resonates most with you (select one line)
This part of the Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022-2023 doesn’t require that you write a full essay. All you have to do is indicate which line speaks to you most.
The second part of the essay section is where your analytical and essay writing skills will be put to the test. And remember, just because Bowdoin says this is optional, don’t take the bait. Write that essay.
“The Offer” represents Bowdoin’s values. Please reflect on the line you selected and how it has meaning for you. (250 words)
As you study “The Offer,” you will see that each line appears to represent a different value. Choosing which one means the most to you is a matter of your background, your personality, and your goals. As with any essay of this type, there is no “right” choice here. It’s all about choosing the line that makes the most sense to you.
Starting with the first line, “To be at home in all lands and all ages;” speaks to the kind of student who wants to be a citizen of the world; to be the kind of person who has a well-rounded knowledge of different places, different cultures, and different histories. If you choose this line, you can talk about how you hope Bowdoin will contribute to your passion for having a greater understanding of the world.
The third line, “To gain a standard for the appreciation of other’s work,” speak to the kind of student who wants to understand how to be critical and objective about the world around them, and the work that is produced by their peers. This line is all about gaining intellectual integrity so that you can be a fair arbiter of the work you encounter.
The second to last line, “And cooperate with other for common ends,” is all about becoming part of a team that knows how to work together. If you choose this line, you can talk about the experiences in your life when you have worked cooperatively, or you can talk about how you really want to experience this in college. The goal with any of these lines is to align them with your values and goals. The important thing is that you make it creative and personal.
Sure, the Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022-2023 is a little unusual, but Bowdoin is looking for students who can think creatively and abstractly. So, when writing your essay, write what is true for you, not what you think Bowdoin wants to hear. They want unique voices and unique minds.
At AdmissionSight, our goal is to help you with every step of the college admissions process. The Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022 can seem daunting at first, but our experience and expertise will help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Hopefully, this guide to the Bowdoin supplemental essay 2022-2023 has been helpful, but if you want more information about how AdmissionSight can help you realize your dreams, set up your free consultation today.
