<p>If you've read my earlier posts, about Swarthmore and Middlebury, you may know that I've been deciding which one to apply E.D. I have a few questions, all Middlebury specific:
1. What's up with the commons system hate? I've heard nothing but bad about it, and from reading about it it doesn't really seem that bad. Can any Middlebury student or recent alum tell me how it's so terrible? Cause I'm not seeing it.
2. I've also heard that Middlebury is the most elitist, sexist, and homophobic of the top LAC's. Is this true? Related to this is the question: just how preppy is it? I'm fine with a little prep but some people have been making it sound like its a sea of J. Crew shirts.
3. I have a 2090 on the SAT, and a 3.8. Though obviously a lot is dependent on E.C.'s, do these seem like good enough stats to get in E.D.?<br>
(BTW: In case it isn't obvious I'm currently leaning Midd :P)</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure you’re not elite, sexy or hetero enough to apply to Midd. You bet it’s true!! :p</p>
<p>I’m kidding, but seriously, this is a silly statement. Where in the world did you get this “statistic”?</p>
<p>What are you considering the “top LAC’s” - if you include Williams, Amherst, and Bowdoin among those, you’ll find Middlebury to be no more sexist or homophobic (none of these schools are) than the others. You may find Middlebury to be more elitist, but that’s only because it’s the best 
</p>
<p>NESCAC schools tend to be pretty similar and pretty liberal. Wesleyan probably stands out as the most liberal, but none of them is going to remind you of Liberty or Oral Roberts U. Honestly, go visit the school. Once you get to know more about the school you’ll laugh that you asked this question.</p>
<p>Not a statistic 
just something I’ve observed after creeping on many schools online (including Midd, Swarthmore, Haverford, Conn college, and Williams). Good to know you dont seem to think so though.
What are your thoughts on the rest of it?</p>
<p>Unless you have a strong hook (e.g., recruited athlete, legacy, cured cancer, etc.), your chances of ED acceptance with less than a 2100 on the SAT I are slim. You should have 700+ on each section to be competitive.</p>
<p>D’s experience with the commons system was wonderful. It was perfect for her - she made wonderful, lifelong friends. She liked the system so much, she became an FYC. </p>
<p>As to your “statistic,” D didn’t perceive any such atmosphere at Midd. Very welcoming and diverse. Listen to the speech given by a student at Commencement this past weekend. It was amazing: </p>
<p>[Commencement</a> 2013 | Middlebury](<a href=“http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/events/commencement/congrats2013]Commencement”>http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/events/commencement/congrats2013)</p>
<p>The speech was amazing and seemed to hold true to a friend of son’s experience who came out as gay last year and whose boyfriend came to every single grad celebration we held this last weekend. I saw no signs of homophobia among these young men. Elite? Well, it IS an elite school, but there is a difference between being elite and having an air of elitism in your daily life. But in four years, I’ve heard nothing whatsoever that there is sexism at the school. So, like others, I have no idea where you’re getting these statistics. </p>
<p>I could not have been prouder of the friends my son made while at Midd. And every single one of them - rich, not so rich and in between - would be welcomed into my home with open arms. I would say that S was lucky, but I honestly have come to believe there are just great kids at Midd.</p>
<p>Like I said, not a statistic :P</p>
<p>A lot of the complaints were about that sort of stuff (very intolerant of minorities, etc). So while it’s not a statistic (and I have no idea where you got that word from, I didn’t use it) it is a trend I noticed, apparently a trend that you didn’t experience.
As for the “strong hook” seeing as I haven’t cured cancer, am not an amazing athlete, and don’t have legacy, is there anything else that would be considered a strong hook?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be discouraged immediately by a less than 2100 SAT. D was accepted ED to Midd this year without any “hooks” and without some incredible life story or experience and also without being >2100 on SAT or having incredible grades. She’s solid without being outstanding in most catagories and made the most of putting together a package that showed a well rounded individiual. ED may have actually helped some versus hurting her chances because Midd was #1 on her list, she was willing to make that strong a commitment, and looked like a naturally good fit. I believe the admissions folks (not just Midd but at most competitive colleges) when they say they look at the whole individual and a solid all around is as good and maybe better than being stellar in one aspect… Nobody would ever consider her to be an “elitist” or “sexist”, or “homophobic”… In fact she’s 100% the opposite in all three of those items…</p>
<p>Atxfather, is your D from New England? It seems like Midd only takes athletes from this area.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to an article listing the NESCAC all-academic team. You’ll notice that all the NESCACs, including Middlebury, take athletes from all over the world - including areas outside New England.</p>
<p>Oops, here’s the link </p>
<p>[NESCAC</a> : Spring All-Academic Selections Announced](<a href=“http://www.nescac.com/honors/allacademic/academic12-13-spring]NESCAC”>http://www.nescac.com/honors/allacademic/academic12-13-spring)</p>
<p>Not Atxfather but I can tell you that Middlebury accepted several kids this year from our local (Boston suburb) high school who were not recruited athletes. 2 of the kids are active and ‘outdoorsy’ but none of them played on high school teams.</p>
<p>She’s not an athelete of anykind and we’re not from New England. My point was that if Midd becomes your absolute first choice and you’re willing to commit to it in October for ED then I would not stop that just because you don’t have a hook and/or aren’t a “wunderkind” of some type. </p>
<p>Midd fills about 40% of the class through ED. Probably about half of those (someone I’m sure has the actual #) have a “hook”. A few have that “walk on water” resume and some have a major selling point that may allow some other weaknesses to stand. What gets lost in the shuffle is that there are also some kids that are good but not oustanding all-around. </p>
<p>My personal opinion which I’m sure will be controversial because its about ED is that a non-wunderkind may have a slightly better chance in the smaller ED pool. There’s a little more time for the admin folks to look at the whole package and come to the conclusion that this particular kid is a worthy addition. OP has to weight that with the commitment required for ED. You have to be sure (D was after visiting and sitting in on 2 classes) that this is where you really want to go…</p>
<p>I’m a student at Midd and the only complaints I hear about the commons system are that it can make the school feel smaller than it already is. Your freshman and sophomore year you must live with your commons, so it makes it a little more difficult to branch out. However, the school is fully aware of this and is actively trying to integrate the students. If you’re the least bit social, you’ll be fine. Between classes, ECs, sports, the dining halls, the gym, and friends of friends, you’ll branch out no problem. Personally, I really like it. I feel totally connected with my commons. I don’t see it as making the school smaller-- more of a smaller family within a larger one.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone who has given me feedback! Unless this visit in the fall goes horribly, I think I know where I’m gonna apply :)</p>
<p>I have a friend whose son will be a freshman in the fall who had applied ED. I can tell you that he had a 34 ACT but overall, is a very well rounded kid. Very outdoorsy as they say, but not a recruited athlete in the least. However, he will likely play intramural. He’s also involved in school life and I think that’s equally important. You need the people that “do” things. It doesn’t do the school any good to accept a class full of book smart people who don’t involve themselves in the community of the school. And from what I saw over four years is that ALL these kids had a “hook” of being valuable in a community, especially one that depends on its students to make it what it is… especially because it really is in the middle of nowhere, albeit an absolutely gorgeous nowhere. :)</p>