Bowdoin’s Digital Treasure Hunt
What’s the Buzz?
Bowdoin College, that hidden Maine gem, has declared it’s time to upgrade every iPad and Mac in the student dorms—without extracting a dime from the tuition chowline… at least for now.
How We’re Doing It
- Free iPad Minis – because studying on a tablet that fits in your pocket beats a coffee mug any day.
- MacBook Pros – the laptops that sparked a quiet rebellion against PowerPoint and now stay within reach.
Why the Big Bucks?
Back in 2020, Bowdoin splurged $1.7 million on COVID‑19 relief, covering masks, testing, and—yes—you guessed right—teaching tech for everyone.
And We’re Not Done Yet
That “we’ll keep doing this” promise is still live. The campus will continue to hand out gadgets next year, so your credit cards stay in the drawer, but the 21st‑century advantage stays in the classroom.
Bowdoin College Goes Tech‑Savvy
Bowdoin College is stepping up its game by making sure every freshman has the tools they need to shine. Under the Digital Excellence Commitment, the school will hand out a 13‑inch MacBook Pro, an Apple Pencil, and an iPad mini to every first‑year student. All the software required for the year’s courses comes along for free. The only thing that still needs to pay is the tuition, of course.
What the Returning Students Get
- Keep their Apple Pencil and iPad Pro
- Receive a fresh 13‑inch MacBook Pro
- After graduation, pay a pocket‑friendly $1 to keep the gear + AppleCare+ for four years
Why It Matters
“It levels the playing field so every student gets an equal shot at success,” says Clayton Rose, Bowdoin’s president. “We’re giving all the kids the tech they need to thrive.”
And there’s a joke for the long‑haired MacBook nerds: “You can’t spell ‘success’ without a punch‑through chip!”
