<p>I got accepted to Middlebury (which I'm really, really happy about, since it's my first choice) except only as a Feb. On my application I had checked off that I prefered to start in the fall term only. In the acceptance letter I got they said that they very, very rarely allow people to start on a different term.</p>
<p>The thing is, I am a swimmer and a fencer, which are both winter sports. I would be starting freshman year with the season mostly over, but I would technically be done with school before my senior season would end. I also want to become a member of the dance ensemble and hope to play flute with one of their music groups. Leaving/starting in february means I would miss rehearsals/performances freshman and senior year.</p>
<p>I feel like they're basically saying that they don't want me, but I desperately want to go to Middlebury. Does anyone else have this problem or has anyone been able to switch terms? I would REALLY appreciate any help. Thank you so much.</p>
<p>I’m admitted as a Feb-only also (which is exactly what I wanted) – but that is a pretty tough situation with the sports. In your position, I’m not sure what I’d do. However, my perception is that either Midd makes no distinction between the quality of Feb and September kids or that if they do, the distinction is that they admit kids in the February term that would be a good fit for the program. Maybe I’m taking the apologist stance as someone who <em>is</em> a Feb-only, but I certainly don’t feel like they don’t want you.</p>
<p>Also: you just got into your first choice. Celebrate! Eat a cake! Go lie in the grass! Be happy! :)</p>
<p>Thank you for responding! Yeah, I guess I didn’t think of it that way… Maybe they do want me after all! </p>
<p>But there’s still the sports/dance issue… </p>
<p>And my parents still aren’t going for it, and seeing as we didn’t get any financial aid… they have the final say…</p>
<p>Well, I’m going to see if they’ll let me change terms, so maybe I’ll get lucky. And maybe, hopefully, I’ll see you at Midd next year (Feb or otherwise lol)!! :)</p>
<p>Does anyone know of anyone who has successfully switched to fall term? I’m willing to take it and use my ap credits to graduate at the normal time in June, but may parents have basically decided I’m not going there… :(</p>
<p>I can tell you that my son is a Feb and was just home for spring break. He absolutely loves Middlebury, and the one thing he is happiest about is being a “Feb.” There were circumstances around his admission that basically lead Midd to offer him the chance to switch to being a Reg at revisit days. His response then was, “no way I’m giving up that Febmester.” Now after all is said and done, he says he’s not sure if he would love Middlebury as much as he does if he was a Reg. The Febs are a special group and they seem to be very tight knit. Spring Break was spent visiting with old friends but more time was spent visiting his Feb friends. I would suggest trying to talk your parents into going to revisit days and going to the program they have on being a “Feb.” There will be a lot of kids in the same shoes and you will have a chance to speak with lots of kids who are currently Febs and get to share their experiences. If you have any detailed questions, PM me or try giving Old Batesie Doc a shout. Both of us have Feb Midd Kidds. Good Luck in your process no matter what.</p>
<p>Every year I feel the need to get on CC and post something about how there is no academic difference between the Febs and the Regs. I was admitted as a Reg, but because I took a semester off, graduated as a Feb (on skis - awesome!). Febs are chosen because they appear best suited for adapting and working into an established student body. Febs tend to be more outgoing if anything. KarateDad is absolutely correct. Febs are a very close knit group. As with all Middlebury students, you’ll find your closest friends tend to be those you met your first week on campus. In the case of Febs, that will be other Febs. Because I graduated as a Feb I came to know a LOT of other Febs. One of my good friends graduated in February and went on to start his first year at Harvard Law School that Fall. Another friend took the next year to work before enrolling in the MBA program at Wharton. I think those two simple examples illustrate that being a Feb will not hold you back. It may be a huge benefit. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Really great to read those responses, guys. I elected to click the “I’d prefer to be a Feb” box on the Middlebury Application, so everything mentioned confirms what I suspect about the Feb program.</p>
<p>The few reservations I’ve had about the program are getting into year long actives (clubs, whatever) and the certain classes that might be better suited as a year-long situation (foreign languages especially). I’m also a little worried about the prospects of studying abroad, as well as potentially getting stuck with an upperclassmen roommate (although the Midd webpage seems to say this is unlikely). </p>
<p>Again: I love the idea of the Feb kids as a small group within the college, and I love the idea of having the compromise between starting in September and taking a gap year for traveling/volunteering. Just some nagging concerns, is all. If either of you folks has input, I’d be thrilled to hear it – if you’re more comfortable chatting via PM, I’m fine with that also, but I imagine there will be a few Feb kids prowling the boards in the coming months that might be interested in reading your responses, too!</p>
<p>Older S a happy Feb, now a Junior. First pick of classes, really nice room with another Feb, welcomed into activities midyear. He thinks being a Feb is best(tho he originally said he wouldn’t go as a Feb)because you “instantly get 100 best friends”…and the graduating on skis thing.
You would take a placement test for your language anyway, and studying abroad is no different.
Go for it!</p>
<p>It’s great to read all the positive comments about being a Feb. My son was admitted ED I for next February, and 1) is thrilled to be going to Middlebury and 2) is really looking forward to having this fall to decompress, travel, and get ready for college. The only downside he sees is having to wait till fall 2013 to start a new language - he’s a bit concerned about having the required level in time to study abroad. Has anyone had any experience with 1st-year language study as a Feb? I’ll probably be asking for lots of Feb-specific advice from time to time…
Anyway, congratulations to the class of 2016 and 2016.5!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses everyone!! I think I’m ok with the idea of being a feb now, and my parents are getting used to it too it’s definitely looking like I’ll end up at midd, which I’m really excited about. Of course now I have to wait an extra 5 months… I can’t wait to meet all the other febs too!!</p>
<p>My D applied ED 1 and was also accepted as a Feb! It took a couple of days to digest exactly what this meant. She checked the box saying she would consider being a Feb but Sept was definitely her first choice. Now that she has had a while to really explore all the options suddenly available to her she is extremely excited to be a Feb!! She is very close to committing for Sept and has been in touch with other Febs at Midd who have been very helpful and so open to offering up their thoughts and suggestions! Yes- the downside is another 5 months until Midd, but in the end it could all be worth it!!</p>
<p>This is a long shot and based strictly on intuition rather than evidence or experience, but…
What if you spoke to the fencing and/or swimming coach? While Feb admits do seem to fit a certain profile (which accounts for all the great anecdotes you see above and every year when this question is posed), maybe that plus a September slot on the wait list opening up might work. Here’s the thing, it cannot hurt to ask. You’re in! They like you! They will not revoke your Feb admit for trying. If you had a particularly strong rapport with your Alumni interviewer (you called to tell the good news and thank them already, right?) maybe they can make a call and see.</p>
<p>I know a student in the class of 2015 who was accepted as a Feb and was able to talk to the college and switch to a September start. Not positive about the circumstances surrounding this and I don’t think it’s common, but definitely worth a try!</p>
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I can’t wait to meet all the other febs too!!</p>