Transfer Applicants

Bowdoin welcomes applications from students hoping to transfer their enrollment from another college or university.

Transfer admission to Bowdoin is extremely competitive; we are able to admit only a small percentage of those students seeking to transfer in the fall. We generally receive between 150-200 transfer applications, and we admit five to twenty candidates. 

Although Bowdoin sets no cut-off guidelines, successful candidates usually submit college work of honors quality: "B" work or better, or a GPA of no lower than 3.0.

Application: Common Application. The application is currently open.

Deadline: March 1

Notification: Candidates will receive their decision via their Application Portal in late April.

Contact: Assistant Dean of Admissions Evan Shoaf at eshoaf@bowdoin.edu 

Should I apply as a transfer or a first-year student?

If you have matriculated at another college or university; that is, if you have enrolled in a degree-granting program, then you should apply as a transfer student. However, if you have taken some college-level work while enrolled in secondary school then you should apply as a first-year candidate. If you are a veteran or active member of the US military, please contact our veteran liaison for more information and to discuss your options. Students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for admission to Bowdoin. 


Required Application Materials

College Report A document filled out and submitted by a school official at the applicant's current institution.
College Transcript An official transcript that includes all completed college work. To be considered official, the transcript must be sent by a school official.
Final High School Transcript  A transcript containing grades 9-12 including a graduation date sent by a school official. 
College Academic Evaluations (2) Letters of recommendation from a professor, instructor, lecturer or teaching assistant at the applicant's current institution. The letters must be sent directly by the recommender. 

Material Submission:

Electronically: We receive materials through a multitude of electronic services, including but not limited to: Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, SCOIR and Slate.org
Email: appmaterials@bowdoin.edu 
Fax: 207-725-3101
Mail: Bowdoin College Office of Admissions, 5000 College Station, Brunswick, ME  04011 


Optional Application Materials

Mid-Term Report If an applicant's current institution offers a Mid-Term Report, we welcome the additional information, but it is not required. The report must include updates on second semester coursework including grades, instructor comments, and the instructor's signature. The report must be sent directly by a school official by April 1
Standardized Test Scores Any applicant who indicates that they would like their SAT or ACT test scores considered during the application process, may self-report the scores via the applicant's portal under Testing and Preferences. We also accept copies of score reports sent by a school official or applicant. Learn more about our Test-Optional Policy
Video Response  The Optional Video Response will become available in the applicant's portal after we receive the applicant's Common Application. The deadline to submit the Optional Video Response is March 15.
English Proficiency Test Scores  English proficiency tests are optional for all international students; we will review your scores if you choose to include them with your application. You may submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo English Test (DET), or Cambridge English Assessment (CEA).

Please note that we do not offer English as a Second Language courses at Bowdoin so all incoming students are expected to be highly proficient in spoken and written English at a college level.

Interviews are not available for Transfer candidates. As an alternative, students are encouraged to complete the Optional Video Response. A link to complete the video can be found in your Application Portal after your application has been submitted.