Zak Embarks on US Adventure 10 May 2023

Year 13 student, Zak Mounter, has been offered a much sought-after place at the prestigious Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine from August this year which includes a 90% annual scholarship worth more than 76,000 US dollars.  

Bowdoin is a private, liberal arts college and is home to around 1,800 students from all over the world. This year the college received a record number of 10,966 applications and offered 850 places, an acceptance rate of just 7.7%, and from that figure Bowdoin expects to enrol around 500 students. Zak’s achievement is all the more impressive as just 60 of those original offers went to international students. 

Zak is currently studying A Level Politics, Economics and Maths and has also completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in International Relations. His intention is to major in Politics and Economics at Bowdoin, but he will be able to finalise his decision when he arrives in the summer. However, Zak’s academic profile was only a small part of the reason for his success. His extensive activities outside of the classroom also made an impression and his offer was equally based on his community contribution and leadership qualifications.  

Some of Zak’s highlights include being on the winning team in the Office of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Schools’ Debating competition for two successive years. This year the final round took place in the prestigious Grand Committee room within the House of Lords. He was also appointed as one of the Bedfordshire Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets for 2022-23 for his outstanding contribution to the BMS Combined Cadet Force in which he is the Senior Cadet leading the Navy Section. Zak is also no stranger to the stage and has performed in BMS shows for many years but is probably best remembered for playing Toad of Toad Hall in the 2021 production of ‘Wind in the Willows’. He has also sung in BMS choirs and smaller groups during his time at school. 

Speaking to Zak about this incredible opportunity to study in America, he said: “I am so thrilled to have been offered a place in Bowdoin College’s incoming class of 2027. As an international student, it is thanks to the incredibly generous Bowdoin scholarship that I am able to pursue this dream.

“I would also like to thank the incredible teachers and community at BMS, my school for the last 11 years, who have assisted me with this application and with my learning so far.  I can’t wait to move to Maine in August and to embark on a whole new adventure!”