Guide to the Office of Admissions Records and Publications , 1860-
No restrictions.
Office of Admissions: Records and Publications, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
The Office of Admissions is responsible for deciding which students are admitted to the college. Specifically, the office evaluates candidates applying to the college in terms of six factors: academic record, the level of challenge in the candidate's course work, counselor/teacher recommendations and Bowdoin interview, application and essay, overall academic potential, and personal qualitites. In addition, this office produces publications that provide information about the college, the various academic departments, and student life. These brochures are distributed to prospective students.
In 1802, President Joseph McKeen adopted entrance qualifications similar to those required by Harvard University. Based largely on examination, prospective students were required to be knowledgable in Geography, in Walsh's Arithmetic, Cicero's Select Orations, the Bucolics, Georgics, and Aeneid of Virgil, Sallust, the Greek Testament, and Collectanea Graeca Minora. From 1802 to the mid-1800's, it is likely that the members of the faculty administered this test and made admissions decisions. From about 1860 to 1900, the Examining Committee made admissions decisions. In 1900 the Relations with Preparatory Schools Committee first appeared. This faculty committee worked in conjunction with the administrators of preparatory schools in order to administer the Bowdoin Entrance Examinations.
In 1935 Edward S. Hammond, a professor at the college, was appointed the first Director of Admissions. He was replaced in 1946 by Hubert Seely Shaw. In 1991, during a restructuring of the administration, the title Director of Admissions was changed to the Dean of Admissions.
This collection primarily contains promotional material used by the Admissions Office to attract students. Significant holdings include entrance examinations, viewbooks, academic brochures, maps, and application booklets. The earliest record is from 1860; the bulk of the material dates from the mid 1940's.
This series contains entrance examinations and lists of candidates for admission to the College from 1860. These examinations, which were used as the main criterion for admission to the College from 1802 to about 1960, cover general academic subjects including Latin, Algebra, Greek, and English. Announcements for the examinations, reports, articles, and materials concerning entrance examinations are included.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
Examinations for Entrance [Candidates for Admission] (1860-71)
Admissions [Records] 1876-87
Candidates for Admission (1900-19)
Students Listed by Secondary School, class 1900 through class 1925
Record of Students Listed by Secondary Schools (ca. 1927-36)
Admissions Records (1927-48)
Admissions Records (1948-59)
Admissions Records (1960-67)
Entrance Examination Papers
Entrance Examination Posters, 1900, 1901
Entrance Examinations: Announcements 1900, 1902
Entrance Exams: n.d., 1880, 1891, 1894, 1900, 1902, 1909
Entrance Exams: 1910-1912, 1916-1918, 1919-1922, n.d.
Entrance Exams: 1926-1933, 1936-1938, n.d.
Entrance Exams: 1939-1942, n.d.
Entrance Exams: 1943
Report of the conference...concerning Entrance Exams 1900
"Optional SAT- Two Years of Testing the Tradition of Tests at Bowdoin," by Richard W. Moll, reprinted from The College Board Review, Winter 1972-73
Bowdoin Alumni Schools and Interviewing Committees Admissions Kit 1976-1977
This series contains viewbooks produced by the Office of Admissions for prospective students from 1905. These viewbooks provide general information about the College and profile the academic program, student life and the campus.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
A Descriptive Pamphlet 1905, Bowdoin College Viewbook 1922
N.D. [circa mid 1930s to mid 1940s]
N.D. [circa late 1960s]
1972-1982
1982-1994
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-1997
1997-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Series contains brochures offered to prospective students regarding individual academic departments from 1977. These brochures cover general information about the curriculum, major and minor programs, independent study and honors program, facilities and resources, and department faculty. Information about majors' careers is also provided.
Arranged alphabetically by department.
No restrictions.
Africana Studies 1977-
Arts 1987-
Asian Studies 1989-
Athletics 1982-
Biology 1989-
Chemistry 1989-
Classics 1990-
Computer Science 1990-
Economics 1989-
Education 1989-
English 1989-
Environmental Studies 1989-
Geology 1990-
German 1988-
Government 1987-
History 1988-
Mathematics 1988-
Philosophy 1988-
Physics 1988-
Psychology 1988-
Religion 1988-
Romance Languages 1988-
Russian 1988-
Sociology and Anthropology 1988-
This series contains general admissions brochures and maps from 1944. This series also includes posters and other publicity information, class profiles, brochures addressing "Blacks at Bowdoin," and manuals for Bowdoin alumni who interview prospective applicants for the admissions office.
Arranged alphabetically.
No restrictions.
Admissions open house brochures, 1998-
Blacks at Bowdoin brochures, [1971], 1974, 1983, 1987
Blacks at Bowdoin - background material for brochures, 1973, 1976-1977, n.d.
Bowdoin Alumni and Admissions brochures, 1955, 1958-1961, 1966
Class profiles, Classes 1967-1981, 1987-1990
Guides for Bowdoin students from different geographical areas, [1999]
Maps and brochures, 1940s
Maps and brochures, 1950s
Maps and brochures, 1960s
Maps and brochures, 1970s
Maps and brochures, 1980s
Maps and brochures, 1990-1998
Maps and brochures, 1999-
Posters, 1982, n.d.
Series contains general announcements and notices produced by the Office of Admissions from 1904. Earlier material is primarily information regarding scholarships and entrance examinations. Records from 1960-1990 include the Maine Day program and records concerning increasing the size of the student body.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
Undated material
1904
1918-1919
1931-35
1936-39
1940-45
1946-50
1951-55
1956-60
1961-65
1962 Alumni Conference on Admissions
1966-69
1968 State of Maine Day Program
1970-75
1976-79
1979-80
1980-81
1982-83
1983-84
1984-87
1987-88
1989-
This series consists of booklets containing application forms and materials such as teacher recommendation and financial aid forms. Included are the 1991-1992 application for the 1992-1993 academic year through the 1996-1997 application for the 1997-1998 academic year. There is also a 2000 application for a Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Leadership Scholarship.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
Application booklets, 1991-1994
Application booklets, 1995-1997
Application for a Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Leadership Scholarship, 2000