Can any current students or people other wise in the know speak to the artsy, creative community at Middlebury? A rep came to my D19’s school and she was instantly enraptured, however, she is a creative type, not an athlete or preppy scholar type…and we live where it’s 72F year-round, she hasn’t snowboarded a day in her life.
She’s already applied to her ED1 choice, but was planning to apply ED2 to Vassar and now is thinking of making Midd her ED2.
My D looked closely at Middlebury and did apply. I did not like the location at all, far too remote. The academics are top notch and they have a world renowned language program. They also have a good sports program. I don’t remember it having a memorable creative flair though. I would absolutely say she (and you) need to visit before applying ED2. And fwiw, Vassar was in my top two favorite schools for my D.
Hi! Middlebury has an amazing creative community, especially for drama. If your daughter is interested in theatre, the teaching staff there are superb and its a very nurturing faculty. Furthermore, they run a program called PTP which is an Equity theatre company that takes an Off-Off Broadway show to New York for five weeks. So, the theatre is there is you want to get involved, for sure.
Okay…thanks. @NEPatsGirl I agree she should really see it before making what seems to be a hasty decision, but that’s not going to be possible. Argh.
For theater and not as remote, with excellent academics, she should look at –
Vassar – https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2016/06/12/vassar-way-hamilton-shines-tonys/85809574/ – and see that she’s ED2 ing it.
Wesleyan – In the Heights developed there. https://www.wesleyan.edu/theater/productions/in_the_heights.html
They are known for their theater at very high levels.
Both are also closer to NYC – Vassar is on the commuter train line – the MetroNorth line and you can get to NYC and back in a day, if you want to see shows for example (1/2 price tickets available daily).
Both have excellent financial aid although more need-based than merit.
@Dustyfeathers Thanks! Vassar was already her planned ED2, and she did not like Wesleyan at all (kids!) – I’m hoping the recency effect dies down and she reverts back to her “all in” for Vassar soon. Middlebury is such a great school, but I don’t think it would be the right fit for her.
Naturally, I can’t tell her that, she is 17 and knows everything about everything already.
@JenJenJenJen : as above, theatre is well worth looking at at Midd. Whether it’s as good as Vassar I couldn’t tell you, but it is well worth looking at, especially with Middlebury’s partnership with the Town’s Town Hall Theatre: http://www.middlebury.edu/newsroom/archive/2007/node/111826 ; http://www.townhalltheater.org/
Curricularly, Middlebury supports strong programs in fields such as theatre and dance. Though Vassar captures the atmosphere indicated by the thread title much more strongly, Middlebury could still be a contender based on its offerings in key fine arts areas.