<p>So, I just got back from my first visit to Middlebury, and I've fallen for it. I was wondering if there are any seniors who've been accepted who could let me know why they think Middlebury wanted them. I'm just trying to get an idea...
By the way, I'm a junior.</p>
<p>I have nice test scores which probably had something to do with it.</p>
<p>I applied EDII.</p>
<p>I want to study languages and that was very obvious in my application (EC's and I wrote an essay on German classes).</p>
<p>I'm a full IB student, which I hope was a plus for me.</p>
<p>Oh. Plus, in my opinion at least, my values essay was really awesome.</p>
<p>thanks, and congrats! anyone else?</p>
<p>I applied ED1 and was accepted as a feb.
I am convinced that the admissions officers at Midd really do look at your application as a whole, look for consistency, and really just look for someone interesting. I think it would be very easy for just about any applicant to Midd to merely recite their various qualifications, scores in challenging classes, and test scores, however, I believe the admissions office is looking for more than that.
I don't know about you, but if it were my job to fill a class of about 500 students, I wouldn't always grab the kids with the best grades and test scores, because chances are, they might not add a whole lot of life to a rural Vermont campus.
My advice for you, find something that will make you stand out, show off your passions (not just mandatory community service hours and club memberships started at the end of your junior year or even the beginning of your senior year). Your essays are a great chance to really give your application a voice. Use that opportunity to your advantage.
I was always a little skeptical in my chances for getting accepted to Midd. Like you, jaywalker11, I fell in love with Middlebury after I visited the campus, and I made it my goal to do everything that I possibly could to get where I wanted to be. You have to let the school know that you want to go there badly.
As for me, my test scores were decent, I am number three in my graduating class, I live and breathe community service, I am passionate about foreign languages ( I have studied abroad in France the past two summers), I am ranked 6th in the state of Idaho for tennis, and I dance ballet 5 days a week, five hours a day for a ballet company... just to name a few of my hobbies and interests.
I don't want to sound pretentious at all, but I wish someone had told me these things before I applied to Midd. Whatever you do, don't give up, work hard, and I promise it will all work out for the best.</p>