academic environment

[gallydon2]

<p>Hey guys I've done a lot of college visits and research and my top two schools are Tufts and Middlebury. I like Middlebury a lot but am a little scared because the academic environment seems extremely competitive and cutthroat, whereas at Tufts it seems much more encouraging and positive. What are your thoughts.on the academic environment at Middlebury?</p>

[urbanslaughter]

<p>I’m surprised to hear this. I graduated more than a few years ago. I’ve heard this a little bit recently. When I was there it was anything but. People helped each other a lot and no one ever wanted to appear as if they worked particularly hard (even though we all did). It simply never felt cutthroat while I was there. Do any recent students have some insight on this? </p>

[jawjuhh]

<p>I don’t find it cutthroat at all</p>

[gallydon2]

<p>Did you guys find it a very encouraging environment where everyone wants everyone.to learn and thrive?</p>

[arcadia]

<p>

I like Middlebury a lot but am a little scared because the academic environment seems extremely competitive and cutthroat, whereas at Tufts it seems much more encouraging and positive.

</p>

<p>What do you mean it “seems” more competitive and cutthroat? Have you visited? Something you read in a book or heard from a friend? I’ve spent time at both schools, and haven’t noticed any difference in the academic climate. </p>

[arcadia]

<p>Actually, I see from your original post that you (presumably) visited both schools. What makes you think Midd is more cutthroat academically?</p>

[jawjuhh]

<p>It’s encouraging but it doesn’t baby you. The vast majority of people want to learn, though I’m not sure what you specifically mean by thrive. It’s academically rigorous but the students are very well rounded</p>

[circuitrider]

<p>@gallydon2‌

I like Middlebury a lot but am a little scared because the academic environment seems extremely competitive and cutthroat, whereas at Tufts it seems much more encouraging and positive. What are your thoughts.on the academic environment at Middlebury?

</p>

<p>I certainly hope this has not become the case at Middlebury, too. We’ve seen this phenomenon before; I call it USNews Ranking Creep. That is, the higher an institution rises in the widely read poll, the more it becomes a magnet for a certain type of student:</p>

<p>

If there is anywhere that college is still college—anywhere that teaching and the humanities are still accorded pride of place—it is the liberal arts college. Such places are small, which is not for everyone, and they’re often fairly isolated, which is also not for everyone. The best option of all may be the second-tier—not second-rate—colleges, like Reed, Kenyon, Wesleyan, Sewanee, Mount Holyoke, and others. Instead of trying to compete with Harvard and Yale, these schools have retained their allegiance to real educational values.

<a href=“Ivy League Schools Are Overrated. Send Your Kids Elsewhere. | The New Republic”>http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118747/ivy-league-schools-are-overrated-send-your-kids-elsewhere&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[gondalineNJ]

<p>Wow. That New Republic article blows the lid on pretty much the whole mess. Should be a game changer, but sadly, it won’t.</p>

[CrewDad]

<p>^^
Nothing new. The New Republic republished an essay Deresiewicz wrote over 6 years ago.
The IvyGate responded with a humorous rebuttal. The comment by teach1956 is insightful.
<a href=“http://www.ivygateblog.com/2008/06/isnt-harvard-just-the-worst/”>http://www.ivygateblog.com/2008/06/isnt-harvard-just-the-worst/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[circuitrider]

<p>^What I found funny about the teach1956 rebuttal (if you want to call it that), was that he never really states that what Deresiewicz says is wrong, just that he is wrong for saying it. It’s another reminder that the greatest enmity is reserved for the traitor to one’s class.</p>