Taking a page from Dartmouth College which earlier this year expanded its “need-blind” admissions policy to include international students, Bowdoin College has expanded its own policy to include international applicants. Of course, loyal readers of our college admissions blog know all too well that we don’t believe elite universities are particularly honest about their need-blind admissions policies. After all, if these schools were truly need-blind, they would not ask if students need financial aid on the very application that admissions officers can read with their own two eyes. Instead, they’d be truly blind to a student’s financial need. But even if we don’t believe it for a second, we’ll report on the announcement as Bowdoin going “need-blind” for internationals is indeed newsworthy in the world of elite college admissions.

As Bowdoin writes in a press release touting their new “need-blind” admissions policy for international students, “Bowdoin College announced on July 7, 2022, that it has expanded its need-blind admissions policy to include international citizens. This step is one of many that the College has taken over the past decade to remove barriers for students, and it makes Bowdoin one of just seven institutions nationally with comprehensive need-blind aid policies for all students, regardless of citizenship. ‘Ensuring access to a Bowdoin education is central to our mission. This commitment to need-blind admission for our international applicants is another important part of a remarkable program of access and affordability that only a few other colleges and universities are able to provide,’ said Bowdoin College President Clayton Rose. Bowdoin has long been a leader in eliminating barriers for students, including adopting the country’s first test-optional admissions policy in 1969. As it seeks to be accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances, the College currently provides students with financial aid awards that meet their full calculated need and has done so without loans since 2008.”

Wondering which other elite universities tout “need-blind” admissions policies for all students, including international students? Look no further than Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Amherst College. And look for other top schools to soon make similar announcements. After all, it makes for a nice press release — even if it doesn’t lead to any change whatsoever.