Academic Calendar 2024-2025
Bowdoin's 223rd Academic Year
Bowdoin's policies surrounding religious holidays and college holidays are below
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Fall 2024 |
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| August 23-25, Fri.–Sun. | New international student orientation, beginning Friday 5:00 p.m. |
| August 26, Mon. | New student arrival day |
| Aug. 27-Sept.2, Tues.–Mon. | Orientation for new students |
| Aug. 28-31, Weds.–Sat. | Orientation trips for new students |
| August 31, Sat. | College housing ready for occupancy for upperclass students, noon |
| September 2, Mon. | New student advising and course registration |
| September 2, Mon. | Opening of the College—Convocation. 3:30 p.m. |
| September 3, Tues. | Fall semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| Sept. 19-21, Thurs.–Sat. | Explore Bowdoin I |
| Sept. 19-21, Thurs.–Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| Sept. 27-29, Fri.-Sun. | Homecoming Weekend |
| October 4, Fri. | Fall vacation begins after last class |
| October 9, Wed. | Fall vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| October 18, Fri. | Sarah and James Bowdoin Day Ceremony |
| Oct. 18-20, Fri.–Sun. | Family Weekend |
| Oct. 24-26, Thurs.–Sat. | Explore Bowdoin II |
| Oct. 24-26, Thurs.-Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| November 22, Fri. | Thanksgiving vacation begins after last class (no classes M-F, administrative offices open through Tuesday, November 26 and closed W-F) |
| December 2, Mon. | Thanksgiving vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| December 12, Thurs. | Last day of classes |
| Dec. 13-16, Fri.–Mon. | Reading period |
| Dec. 17-21, Tues.–Sat. | Fall semester examinations |
| December 22, Sunday | College housing closes for winter break, noon |
| December 24 - January 5, Tues.–Sun. | College holidays, most offices closed |
Spring 2025 |
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| January 14, Tues. | College housing available for CXD's Sophomore Bootcamp, 8:00 a.m. |
| January 15-17, Wed.-Fri. | Sophomore Bootcamp, Career Exploration and Development |
| January 19, Sun. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. |
| January 21, Tues. | Spring semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| February 6-8, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| March 7, Fri. | Spring vacation begins after last class |
| March 8, Sat. | College housing closes for spring vacation, noon |
| March 22, Sat. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. |
| March 24, Mon. | Spring vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| April 3-5, Thurs.–Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| April 10-11, Thurs.–Fri. | Bearings in Brunswick for Admitted Students |
| May 2, Fri. | Honors Day |
| May 7, Wed. | Last day of classes |
| May 8-10, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| May 8-11, Thurs.–Sun. | Reading period |
| May 12-17, Mon.–Sat. | Spring semester examinations |
| May 18, Sun. | College housing closes for non-graduating students, noon |
| May 23, Fri. | Baccalaureate |
| May 24, Sat. | The 220th Commencement Exercises |
| May 24, Sat. | College housing closes for graduating students, 6:00 p.m. |
| May 29-June 1, Thurs.–Sun. | Reunion Weekend |
| June 9-13, Mon.-Fri. | Virtual Pre-Orientation for Students Admitted for Fall 2025 |
Religious Holidays and Observances: in recognition of Bowdoin’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our students, faculty are encouraged to avoid conflicts between academic coursework and major religious holidays. The Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life maintains a calendar of major religious observances of the officially recognized religious groups at Bowdoin. In addition, the multifaith calendar from the Harvard Divinity School is a valuable resource regarding many other religious observances that may be of significance to members of the Bowdoin community. Students or faculty who have any questions regarding how best to balance the academic calendar alongside religious observances are encouraged to consult with the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.
College Holidays and Observances: Human Resources maintains the calendar of College holidays and special days off and can provide guidance on the interpretation and recording of work around these events. HR encourages staff, students, and faculty to reference the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's calendar of federal holidays as the official source for those dates and observances.