Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College Application Portal Activation: QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Bowdoin on October 18, and Bowdoin may need a couple days to import them into their system. Once processed, Bowdoin will then email you instructions to log in and activate your Bowdoin Application Portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit to Bowdoin.

1

Official Transcript(s)

College counselors should mail, fax or email transcripts to the Admissions Office (see Contact Information below). Ensure that the cover sheet also includes the student's QuestBridge ID number.

2

Testing Preference Selection

Bowdoin is a test optional college. To confirm whether you would like Bowdoin to consider your scores in their review, please complete the Testing Preference Selection form available through your Bowdoin Application Portal.

3

(Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported or Official Reports

SAT code: 3089
ACT code: 1636

Bowdoin is a test optional college. Read more about Bowdoin's Test Optional Policy to decide your test plan.

Students participating in the Match process need not submit official scores to Bowdoin College. Students who have ranked Bowdoin in the National College Match will receive access to a Bowdoin specific application portal where they may request suppression or use of their standardized test scores through the Bowdoin supplemental form. 

Bowdoin does not require official test score submission at the time of the application. For those submitting test scores, Bowdoin accepts unofficial score reports, scores submitted through the application portal, reported on transcripts, or those provided through college counselors. 

For students who are matched with Bowdoin, and who chose to have their test scores used as part of their admissions application, Bowdoin requires an official score report to be submitted after admission. Scores sent from the College Board or ACT, those listed on official transcripts, or those submitted by a school counselor will be considered official.

If you have questions about Bowdoin's test optional policy, please email questbridge@bowdoin.edu.

4

(Optional) Arts Supplement  

Students interested in submitting an arts supplement (music, theater, dance, or visual art & photography) should look at our Arts Supplement page to learn more about requirements and email questbridge@bowdoin.edu for additional information.

5

(Optional) Video Response  

Students interested in submitting a video response can learn more about this option on Bowdoin's website. Please complete the video through your Bowdoin Application Portal.

6

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 3089
Available: Oct. 1

Please select “Early Decision” or "Regular Decision" as your admission application type. This required field on the CSS Profile does not impact your aid eligibility at Bowdoin. 

Fee waivers may be available from the College Board when you register for the CSS Profile.

If your parents are divorced or separated:

• Both of your biological/adoptive parent(s) will complete their own CSS Profile with different log-in credentials. It is highly recommended that the student and custodial parent start the CSS Profile first, as the non-custodial cannot submit information until the student selects a school that requires the submission of non-custodial parent information.
• If you do not have any contact with your noncustodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Download the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition.

7

2022 Federal Tax Returns and Forms for Custodial and Non-Custodial Parent (if applicable)

Both the custodial and non-custodial parent only if they are US citizens and Eligible Noncitizens must submit tax forms unless otherwise requested. Signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms, and other earnings statements. Include personal and corporate/partnership tax returns.

Non-tax filers will use the Non-Tax Filer Statement found on IDOC. Also submit copies of your parents' recent paystubs or other verification of current-year income.  Submit your parents' financial documents directly to Bowdoin using IDOC. You will receive information about IDOC after you submit the CSS Profile. 

SUBMIT AS SOON AS AVAILABLE (likely by late December)

2024-2025 FAFSA

FAFSA code: 002038

The FAFSA will not be available until at least December 2023. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and include Bowdoin’s FAFSA school code as a recipient.

Only US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens must complete this federal form.

Early Decision

Finalists who do not match may apply Early Decision to Bowdoin through either Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

Interested applicants must contact questbridge@bowdoin.edu immediately after December 1 to be considered. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 5. Students must complete the Bowdoin Supplement and complete the Early Decision Agreement. Both forms will become available through the student's Bowdoin specific applicant portal after they have informed Bowdoin of their decision to apply Early Decision. Early Decision is a binding commitment and students will receive an admissions decision in mid-December (Early Decision I) or early February (Early Decision II).

Regular Decision

All Finalists who rank Bowdoin for the Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved into the Regular Decision process.

After mid-December, log in to your Bowdoin Application Portal to review your checklist and complete any missing items.

If you no longer wish to be considered, you must contact the Admissions Office to withdraw your application (see Contact Information below) or withdraw your application through your application portal.

Finalists who ranked Bowdoin and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Bowdoin

QuestBridge Midyear Report

Ask your school counselor or a high school official to email this to appmaterials@bowdoin.edu

Ask your school counselor or a high school official to email this to appmaterials@bowdoin.edu

Official Transcript(s)

Update including 12th grade first semester/trimester grades

(Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported or Official Reports

SAT code: 3089
ACT code: 1636

Read Bowdoin's Test Optional Policy

Only if new scores to report

Only if new scores to report 

Finalists who ranked Bowdoin and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Bowdoin

2024-2025 FAFSA

FAFSA code: 002038

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 3089
Available: Oct. 1

2022 Federal Tax Returns and Forms

Complete Personal and Business returns and forms for US tax filers