Bowdoin College: Brunswick, Maine's Ivy League Gem

Brunswick, Maine is home to several colleges, including Bowdoin College, Southern Maine Community College, and the University of Maine at Augusta. Bowdoin College, ranked #25 in the nation by CollegeSimply, is the top-rated college in the area. Southern Maine Community College, located at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, offers a high-tech campus with personalized services and a variety of in-demand programs. The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA Brunswick) has been serving the southern midcoast area for over 30 years, providing local access to more than 60 degree and certificate programs. Other colleges in the area include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Midcoast Senior College, and Summit University.

Bowdoin College

The college confers bachelor of arts degrees to its graduating seniors. Bowdoin recently celebrated its 219th Commencement ceremony, which was held on the steps of the Walker Art Building. The college has a vibrant campus life, with Polar Bears as their mascot.

The college values the humanities and a liberal arts education. It encourages low-tech classes, where students put aside their electronic devices and engage in discussions about books, essays, and other texts. Bowdoin also emphasises the practical application of invaluable tools, as evidenced by its Office of Career Exploration and Development.

The college is located at 255 Maine Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011.

Southern Maine Community College

The Midcoast Campus in Brunswick, formerly the Brunswick Naval Air Station, features state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, a residence hall, dining facilities, and more. The campus offers personalized services and a range of in-demand programs and courses. Outside the classroom, students can enjoy the vibrant college town of Brunswick, with its restaurants, shops, pubs, museums, theatres, and other attractions.

SMCC has a wide range of academic programs, including business administration, sports management, nursing, cardiovascular technology, radiography, EMS/paramedicine, construction technology, and more. The college also has a strong athletics program, known as the Seawolves, competing in sports such as baseball, softball, and women's basketball.

SMCC provides various resources and support services for its students. The college offers virtual information sessions and open houses, as well as in-person and virtual tours of its campuses. It also assists students with financial planning by providing tools to estimate individual costs and information on filing the FAFSA.

University of Maine at Augusta

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMaine Augusta or UMA) is a public college with campuses in Augusta, Bangor, and Brunswick, as well as courses offered online and across the state. It was established in 1965 as a continuing education division of the University of Maine and became a separate campus in 1971. The University of Maine System Board of Trustees added the University College of Bangor to UMA in 1995.

UMA offers 41-degree programs, 15 certificates, and specialized courses. It is divided into two primary academic colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies. The College of Arts and Sciences offers degrees in subjects like architecture, mathematics, and nursing, while the College of Professional Studies covers areas such as business, humanities, and natural sciences. UMA provides baccalaureate and select associate degrees, with 17 baccalaureate degrees, 15 associate degrees, and 13 non-degree certificate programs available.

The university is known for its online baccalaureate degree in information and library science, as well as its aviation program. UMA's athletic teams are called the Moose, and they compete in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports.

In terms of tuition, for the fall of 2022, in-state tuition and fees were $8,378, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $19,778. UMA also offers a Zero Tuition pledge, making college affordable for full-time first-time or transfer students.

Central Maine Community College

CMCC was founded in 1963 as the Androscoggin State Vocational Institute, and its name has changed several times since then. The college now offers over 40 academic degrees, certificates, and advanced certificates, with 100% online degree options and flexible class scheduling, including evening, online, and hybrid courses. The college has one of the lowest tuition rates in New England and is very competitive for students from other New England states.

The student population at CMCC is approximately 2,700, with a student/faculty ratio of 18:1. The student body is roughly 60% male and 40% female, and most students live, work, and play on and around the Auburn campus. The college offers top-notch athletics, on-campus housing, dining, and a close location to shopping, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.

Full-time students can try out for intercollegiate sports, including baseball, women's softball, and men's and women's basketball. The baseball and women's basketball teams play in the Northern New England Small College conference, while the men's basketball team plays in the Maine Small College Conference. All teams participate in the USCAA.

Southern Maine Technical College

Outside of the classroom, students can enjoy the vibrant college town of Brunswick, with its charming bustle, restaurants, shops, pubs, museums, theatres, and other attractions.

The Midcoast Campus is easily accessible, with transport links including Route 1 to the Cook's Corner exit, followed by a right turn at the first light onto Bath Road (Route 24 North). From there, one can turn left at the second light onto Admiral Fitch Avenue, at the Brunswick Landing sign, and then left again onto Sewall Street, which leads directly to the SMCC Midcoast Campus.

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