<p>Parent Here. S and I will be visiting Midd next week and I'm looking for advice on how best to get a feel for the school. He visited with a friend 2 summers ago but now with an acceptance in hand, he wants to see if it is the best fit.</p>
<p>He is emailing the professors in a couple of classes so he can sit in on them. He's a musician so he wants to talk to the director of the orchestra.</p>
<p>Also, feel free to share what about Midd stands out for you.</p>
<p>Parents & current students - we are open to your opinion! Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Outstanding professors who truly support the academic aspirations of the student, as well as, get to know them as a person; </p>
<p>There are numerous ways to be involved and get to know people outside of your assigned housing (commons); extracurriculars (sports, quidditch, swing dancing, chorus, etc), volunteer (at local home for aged, local public school,etc) beautiful campus.</p>
<p>Not sure how far you will be traveling, but we are ‘out west’ and the travel can be quite onerous. Connecting flights and travel between airport and the college can present challenges.</p>
<p>The food is good! The winter (particularly this winter) is long and cold. However, Fall is awesomely beautiful.</p>
<p>Your S will meet all sorts & types of people; mostly nice … it is easy to find a group of interesting, like-minded friends (and who do not need to ‘party’ all the time, although the first semester, it is hard to avoid. However, I feel that would be true at any campus.) Plus, international students make the diversity much more enjoyable. </p>
<p>But the bottom line, the education is fabulous and the professors are top notch!</p>
<p>rom, i have two sons at Midd and they both absolutely love it. the campus is not my favorite although they really like it - it’s the people that make the place. the students are incredibly engaged, articulate, nice and happy to be there and the faculty and administration bend over backwards for the kids. it’s hard to get a feel for this on a visit but i would suggest talking to as many students as possible and asking him about their experiences there. go to either dining hall (or both) during lunch and just start asking questions! if you have time and are flying through Burlington, check out the pedestrian walkway called Church St - Middlebury is a cute town but Burlington has a lot more to offer and is about 45 minutes away. Have fun!</p>
<p>Definitely try to sit in on a class or two. I’m not sure what S is interested in studying, but any class should be amazing. I don’t know what day you’ll be visiting, but remember that some of the best/most interactive classes are discussions, so try to sit in on one of those if at all possible. I think that gives you the best idea of what students are like in classes, rather than a lecture (though most professors give amazing lectures). You might also be able to sit in on an orchestra rehearsal if you are at Midd on the right day. I was in orchestra while I was at Midd, but they got a new director the year after I left, so I’m not sure what it’s like now.</p>
<p>Also try to catch the sunset from somewhere on campus! They are amazing. Hopefully it won’t be too cloudy. My favorite spot to watch them (in inclement weather/when studying) was out the giant window of BiHall (the science building) while sitting in one of the giant comfy chairs. Hope you have a good visit!</p>
<p>I didn’t travel with the orchestra to perform anywhere, but we did take a trip to Montreal to see the symphony orchestra perform with Joshua Bell once. However, as I mentioned before, the orchestra is under new direction since then, so I’m not sure what the new director, Mr. Massey, has planned in terms of travel.</p>
<p>Rom-your first post was during Midd spring break-so not many of us were on line-I also have 2 sons at Midd-their generalization about Midd students: “Even the people I don’t want to be friends with are nice!” It’s a diverse, exciting, smart and friendly group. Enjoy, and I hope you have a great visit.
My older son, a sophomore Feb, has a full time summer job doing research for a professor this year. He “feels like I live in a luxury hotel” and is totally pleased with the academic and social atmosphere. He is a skier and had a great time during J-term skiing most afternoons at the Snowbowl.
My second son, a recruited athlete, is studying Chinese and chemistry. He finds the work challenging, but is happy with how much is learning, and the friends he has made.
Let me know if you have other questions before or after your visit.</p>
<p>Panthergrad- I found your spot in BiHall. Incredible view. Thanks for all the responses. We are here and all is going well. I will definitely follow up with questions if they come up.</p>