Bowdoin College

Yes — for freshmen. Bowdoin meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international freshmen with packages made entirely of grants (no loans), up to a full ride. If you get accepted and you've applied for financial aid and your family can't pay, your full cost of attendance is covered. This generosity is freshman-only: Bowdoin does not typically have need-based aid available for international transfer students.

Yes — for freshman applicants, and this is what makes Bowdoin special. Bowdoin is one of the very few U.S. colleges that is completely need-blind for international freshmen: they do not look at your finances when deciding whether to admit you, so requesting a full ride will not hurt your chances of being accepted. Once admitted, Bowdoin meets 100% of your demonstrated need.

No. Bowdoin is test-optional and was the first college in the United States to drop the SAT/ACT requirement, all the way back in 1969. International freshmen are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

No — Bowdoin does not require TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test. If English isn't your first language, submitting a score is highly recommended to show you can handle Bowdoin's rigorous curriculum, but it's not required and you can apply without one.

Bowdoin doesn't hand out CSS Profile fee waiver codes, but there's a free alternative: if you can't afford the CSS fee, you can submit the free ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application), an uploadable paper form, at no cost. The CSS Profile school code is 3089. Important exception: Canadian applicants must use the CSS Profile and cannot substitute the ISFAA.

Around 7% for freshman admissions. Transfer admission is extremely variable — roughly 3–10% depending on the year (about 9.7% in 2024 and about 3% in 2021) — but international transfers should expect to self-fund since aid typically isn't available to them.

Not typically. Bowdoin states it does not typically have need-based aid available for international transfer students. You may still apply as a transfer, but you should expect to fully self-fund your degree. If you need financial aid at Bowdoin, apply as a freshman — that's where the need-blind admissions and 100%-of-need funding apply.

The Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge; the Bowdoin supplemental essay (optional but recommended); official high school transcripts; one counselor recommendation; one teacher recommendation; and, for aid, the CSS Profile (school code 3089) or the free ISFAA. English proficiency scores aren't required but are recommended. The $65 application fee is automatically waived if you indicate you're applying for financial aid or that you're first-generation.