Bowdoin College is historic. And selective. And rigorous. But most importantly, we were founded and endowed with the belief that there is something bigger than ourselves. For us, it means working for equality, diversity, and inclusion—in our coursework, our staffing, our student body, and our financial priorities. It means researching and protecting our environment—from the coastal ecosystems that surround and sustain us, to the humid jungles and Arctic poles that inspired some of our earliest students. A Bowdoin education brings context, history, integrity, and empathy to the world around us. Our alumni are scholars, writers, judges, entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, activists, tech giants, farmers, diplomats, artists, and conservationists. We admit students of uncommon promise, and uncommon character. We look for bright minds who want to work together—and live together, eat together, and talk it out. Our need-blind admission policy ensures that your decision to attend Bowdoin will never be influenced by whether or not your family can afford it. It might be that one of the oldest traditions at Bowdoin is wondering where you fit in the story of this place. Since our founding in 1794, Bowdoin has undergone a lot of changes. But there a few threads that tie together everyone who has walked this quad: a commitment to the common good, a rigorous intellectual life, and memories that last a lifetime. Below are some of the ongoing traditions that help us build and maintain our welcoming community. This might be something you experience on your campus tour—before you even apply. Greeting each other on campus doesn't sound like something with a rich history, but thanks to our small campus and network of paths, you'll end up doing it a lot. Back in the 1960s, Bowdoin fraternity pledges would be in trouble if they didn't give a vigorous "hello" to each other, even from the other side of campus. In the present day, our fraternities are gone, but our friendly greeting is here to stay. Residential Life had an idea: let's use food to bring together people on campus who may not have otherwise interacted. Now, "Dinner with Six Strangers" has traveled out of the Brunswick border, and has been adopted by Bowdoin alums all over the country. All around the country, Bowdoin alumni throw send-off parties for incoming first-year students, their parents, and families. It's a chance to meet Polar Bears in your area, and to feel that Bowdoin network already welcoming you and working hard on your behalf. ivy-planting.jpgIn 1865, the junior class at Bowdoin planted an ivy plant near the Chapel, and celebrated with poetry and orations. Ten years later, in 1875, the senior class shared a peace pipe and walked in formation to their last chapel service. The day has grown... less and less serious ever since. Now it's Ivies: a campus-wide party weekend that celebrates spring, and lets us unwind in preparation for finals. Over 1800 lobsters are roasted—and composted— for the welcome back to campus.Bowdoin finds a few reasons each year to celebrate with an old-fashioned Down East lobster bake. Each fall we fire up the roasters to welcome new students, and to welcome back our returning students. Then, the night before Commencement, we welcome seniors and their families to share in the tradition of cracked claws and fresh corn.