u/ajtalks_

Hello everyone! Looking for some feedback on my application before I go for ED1. I love Bowdoin and I do think I have a shot, but I still wanna be realistic. Will be a bit unspecific about certain things for privacy. Thanks a bunch! :)

Demographics

Mixed queer Female, Super Small Suburban Uncompetitive Public (Class Size <70), Northeast (Competitive State), First Generation

Intended Major(s): Theater, English, Cinema Studies

Academics

GPA: 4.0 UW/4.5 Weighted; No Class Rank

APS: Only taken one: APUSH(5). School doesn’t offer a lot of APs (~11) and basically limits them to upperclassmen. Counselor says I’m great for rigor though; 15 honors classes so far. (7 classes/yr)

Senior Courseload: Dual Enrollment Class (S1) AP stats, AP lit, and AP art. Chorus (H), Spanish V (H), study hall, PE (S2; forced to take…)

SAT/ACT: test optional

Colleges

I’ve done three summer programs, all at art colleges. Won’t say for privacy, but I list two of them on common app (one was a pre-college one and offered credit, but I have no clue how to access it 🤦‍♀️)

Honors (not super confident about these): Special Congressional Recognition for Congressional Art Competition, Regional Drama Festival Award in Set Construction, National Recognition Program (First Gen & Academic Achievement), English 10 Bard Award (Best writing in grade), Academic Excellence in Multiple Classes (English 9 & 11, History, Biology, Theater)

Extracurriculars

1. Theater (9-12) | Tech Crew (Prop Master), Marketing Designer, Actor

Will have done 9 productions, 4 acting & 5 stage crew. Set designer & costumer for one show. Poster and program designer since sophomore year (3/yr) Illustrated official drama program logo.

2. Museum Job (9-post grad)

Participated in 15+ community events. Developed and ran children’s art activities. Curated my own art exhibition, written 3+ museum labels; currently developing a teen art event for post-grad.

3. Chorus (9, 11-12)

Performed at concerts (3-4/yr); graduations & town event. Nominated for regional honors choir (11; soloist) Awarded choir spirit award (11). Hope to be a section leader this year!

4. Film Club (11-12) | President

Proposed and founded club. Recruited ~20 members, screening monthly films to make community cinema more accessible to teens.

5. Freelance Artist (9-post grad)

Made ~$150 in paid commissions and ~10 hours in community service for volunteer commissions. Drawn logos packages, illustrations, decorations, and posters. Presented class seminar about freelance work.

6. Volunteer (12-post grad) | Local non-profit Thrift Store

Will have 24+ hours by application deadline. Tagged clothes, organize items/clothes/books for front of house. Packed recycling for local foundation.

7. National Honor Society (10-12) | Member (10-11); Co-president (11-12)

Currently partnering our NHS chapter with same local non-profit! I’ll be honest our NHS basically died last year since our officers didn’t do anything…so mainly I’ll be supervising meetings and small fundraisers.

8. Job #1 (11) | Cafe Member

Worked at a new cafe in a gym. Made food & drinks, worked register and performed inventory, restock and closing activities. Drew cafe menu.

9. Job #2 (11-12) | summer barista job

Made espresso drinks & served food to customers. Performed late closing activities and restock. Basically all ordinary barista activities…I describe these way better in common app lol.

10. Hobby (9-post grad) a bit of a wild card, but I thought it was better than other Ecs)

I’m always drawing and developing stories! I got 4 in the works so far. Made concept illustrations, visual mood boards, and developmental writing for most of them.

Letter of Recommendations (praying they don’t use ai 🙏)

Counselor: I don’t know her super super well, but she’s always been super supportive of me.

English/Drama Teacher: known her all four years I adore her!! She’s so nice and will definitely write me a good one, I just need to remind her early so she’ll have time to write it. Also won excellence in her English class so that’ll definitely help.

Museum Job Supervisor: known her since 8th grade and she seemed excited to write my recommendation. I’ve done a lot of stuff at the museum, so I hope it reflects well in the letter. I also thought doing an employer would be more unique than just another teacher.

Essays/Supplementals (not rating these, I’m always wishy washy on my own writing)

Personal Statement: I wrote about how when I have art block I go back to my first sketchbook to remember why I loved drawing in the first place. It’s basically about doing things for the love of creation/experimentation rather than focusing on the final product. Family & a writer friend approved, but I’m checking in with English teacher for final revisions.

Supplementals: haven’t started yet 😀 will be doing both essays, art supplement (theater), and the video response. Will definitely have both essays brainstormed by senior year.

Interview/Interest: on the mailing list, toured, signed up for two webinars. I did an in-person interview and went great! It was a bit awkward at first but it lasted around 40 minutes and they said I did amazing at the end.

Additional Info:

schedule conflicts led me unable to take Spanish freshman year and chorus in sophomore year. And I had to take an online honors algebra II class to maintain rigor since it conflicted with an art class. Finally im also in National Art Honor Society but we do absolutely nothing in it so I have no clue where to put it. 😅

So that’s it! Due to our schools lack of resources and population I feel kinda inadequate compared to most competitive applicants, so I’m hoping for some honest feedback here.