Introduction
Bowdoin College, located in Brunswick, Maine, is renowned for its excellent academic programs, thriving student life, and breathtaking campus. A significant part of the student experience at Bowdoin is living on campus in one of the college’s seven residence halls, commonly known as dorms. With a variety of housing options, each dorm at Bowdoin has its unique features and amenities that make it a desirable place to live for students. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different dorms at Bowdoin College, their features, and what makes them stand out.
Dorms at Bowdoin College
First-Year Dorms
The first-year dorms at Bowdoin College are the living spaces for incoming students. First-year students have a choice between three dorms: Maine Hall, Appleton Hall, and Smith Union. These dorms have a traditional style, with shared bathrooms and communal living spaces. The dorm rooms are usually double occupancy, but some rooms can accommodate up to four students. Each dorm has a resident advisor (RA) who is an upper-class student who provides guidance and support to the first-year students.
Maine Hall, located in the center of campus, is the largest first-year dorm and houses approximately 200 students. It has four floors, each with two wings, and features study rooms, a game room, and a kitchenette on the first floor. Appleton Hall, located in the southwest part of campus, is a smaller dorm that houses approximately 90 students. It has two floors and features a common room, study rooms, and a music practice room. Smith Union, located in the northeast part of campus, is the oldest first-year dorm and houses approximately 130 students. It has four floors, and each floor has a common room and a kitchenette.
Sophomore and Upperclassmen Dorms
Bowdoin College has four dorms dedicated to sophomores and upperclassmen: Coles Tower, Osher Hall, Quinby House, and Brunswick Apartments. Each dorm has its unique features and amenities that make it a desirable place to live for students.
Coles Tower, located in the southwest part of campus, is the tallest building on campus, standing at 151 feet. It houses approximately 180 students and features a spacious lobby, laundry facilities, a study lounge, and a kitchen on each floor. The rooms in Coles Tower are mostly double occupancy and have private bathrooms.
Osher Hall, located in the northwest part of campus, is a relatively new dorm that houses approximately 75 students. It has three floors and features a common room, study rooms, and a music practice room. The rooms in Osher Hall are mostly double occupancy and have private bathrooms.
Quinby House, located in the center of campus, is a small dorm that houses approximately 20 students. It has two floors and features a common room and study rooms. The rooms in Quinby House are mostly double occupancy and have shared bathrooms.
Brunswick Apartments, located off-campus, is an apartment complex that houses approximately 150 students. The apartments have one to four bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Brunswick Apartments offer a more independent living experience for upperclassmen, with the added responsibility of managing their apartment’s utilities and rent.
Special Interest Housing
Bowdoin College offers special interest housing to students who share a common interest or background. These dorms offer a unique living experience that caters to the students’ interests or needs. There are three special interest housing options at Bowdoin College: affinity housing, substance-free housing, and gender-inclusive housing.
Affinity housing is a housing option for students who share a common cultural or ethnic background. These dorms offer a living space where students can connect with others who share similar experiences and cultures. Bowdoin College currently offers affinity housing for Asian, Latinx, and Black students. The Asian affinity housing, located in Osher Hall, houses approximately 12 students and features a common room and a kitchen. The Latinx affinity housing, located in Appleton Hall, houses approximately 10 students and features a common room and a kitchen. The Black affinity housing, located in Maine Hall, houses approximately 14 students and features a common room and a kitchen.
Substance-free housing is a housing option for students who choose not to drink alcohol or use drugs. These dorms provide a living space that is free from the presence of drugs and alcohol. Substance-free housing is available in several dorms on campus, including Maine Hall, Appleton Hall, and Osher Hall.
Gender-inclusive housing is a housing option for students who do not identify with traditional gender binaries. These dorms provide a safe and inclusive living space for students who identify as non-binary or transgender. Gender-inclusive housing is available in several dorms on campus, including Maine Hall, Appleton Hall, and Osher Hall.
Housing Selection Process
The housing selection process at Bowdoin College takes place in the spring semester for the following academic year. The process begins with students forming groups based on the number of people they wish to live with and their preferred housing options. The groups then select their preferred dorms and rooms based on a lottery system.
The lottery system is designed to ensure fairness and equality in the housing selection process. Each group is assigned a random number, and the groups are then called in order to select their preferred housing option. The earlier a group’s number is called, the higher their chances of getting their preferred dorm and room.
Conclusion
Living on campus in one of Bowdoin College’s residence halls is an essential part of the student experience. Each dorm offers a unique living space with its features and amenities that cater to different student needs and preferences. Whether it’s the traditional first-year dorms, the independent living experience of Brunswick Apartments, or the special interest housing options, Bowdoin College has a housing option that will fit every student’s lifestyle. The housing selection process ensures fairness and equality in the selection of dorms and rooms, allowing students to have a say in their living arrangements on campus.
