If he likes the Cog Sci major more than psych that’s what he should go for. In my opinion the Cog Sci degree is more challenging and more rewarding, and it has better career and salary prospects than psychology as far as I’ve read.
Middlebury has/had an honor code as well:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/education/edlife/the-fading-honor-code.html
Both schools are wonderful. Based on your description of your son’s interests, it sounds like Swarthmore might be the better fit for him. He could apply ED 1 to Swarthmore and then ED 2 to Middlebury if that doesn’t work out, if the two schools are so close in his mind.
Swarthmore’s cognitive science major may be worth some analysis. Beyond their introductory class, the other requirements are met through courses in psychology, computer science, linguistics, math, neuroscience and philosophy. If a Middlebury student were to choose courses under appropriate guidance, it would appear that many of the attributes of the Swat program could be found within Middlebury’s existing departments. That said, Swarthmore may manifest a clear structure for the study of cognitive science that your son might appreciate.
He really should visit Midd to get a sense of the place. From some people, the location can be a negative. For others, it’s supremely beautiful and the perfect place to spend your college years.
Maybe this is opening a new can of worms, but would he consider Hamilton? I have read here on CC that Hamilton tends to have more down-to-earth kids than some other tippy-tops. It lists both neuroscience and psychology in its open curriculum. Of course, it’s pretty rural but not too far from Syracuse.
this is funny because last year i applied ED to swat and ED2 to middlebury. nonetheless, i’m at UVa now so you can guess how that turned out.
also, i did try and contact swat and middlebury xc/track coaches. swat coach was very unresponsive while middlebury’s roster was filled out before fall season even ended in my senior year. i definitely was an average runner, and probably could run at swat, but tbh, I dont think swat really puts a whole lot of emphasis on recruits.
in my opinion, i think the experience would be better at middlebury. the academics aren’t as stressful up there (still very rigorous…) and the community is amazing. the student body is active and good-looking. nevertheless, both schools can be quite divisive for different reasons, so pick what you want.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Why yes it is. I’m a big believer that if a student (or parent) asks a specific question, that responses should focus on the question, and not derail the conversation. Let’s assume that the OP has done all the due diligence between between Swarthmore and Middlebury and answer accordingly please.
I stand corrected!
Thank you everyone for your answers!
We are visiting Middlebury this weekend.
My son wants some athletic intensity apart from the academic challenge. In that sense Middlebury looks ideal.
Regarding Cognitive Science, my son could design the major in Middlebury by choosing the specific classes.
The big issue now is weather and location. But the dilemma remains.
Midd was my daughter’s #1 choice, but on her SPRING break we got caught on 84 heading from Boston to VT, and traffic came to a halt for 2 hours because of an ice storm and rollover. My daughter commented when we got to the info session late, that if ever she had a chance to get into Pomona she was going…rest is history. Go Sagehens!
Good luck, @Lapeka – and remember, in the end, this is a win-win: both are amazing schools with so much to offer.
Us? We? Are you going with him? Please make sure the decision between these two excellent schools is his decision.
Thank you for your comments and thoughts !
The decision is 100% my son’s!
The weather seems the big challenge to choose Middlebury.
Lapeka, hi
Midd has an Independent Scholar programme which is effectively “design your own” major. I always had this down as the most demanding programme at Midd, and it is (very) rare - 2 or 3 per class?
I seriously considered it but couldn’t answer the question of “why can’t you do this within PoliSci already?” to my own satisfaction (let alone the IS Committee’s!) & so I went PS with lots of hostory and some Econ with no regrets.
Your son may find this useful - from the Midd website:
"H. Independent Scholar Program
The Independent Scholar Program is designed to meet the needs of outstanding students who have clearly defined educational goals that cannot be fulfilled within the framework of a normal departmental or interdisciplinary major. Independent Scholars plan their own curricular programs with the assistance of a faculty adviser. Independent Scholars cannot propose two majors, but can pursue an independent scholar major and one minor. For the 2016-17 academic year, application materials are due to the Curriculum Committee by Monday, October 3, 2016, for fall review; and Monday, February 13, 2017, for spring review.
Eligibility: For an application to be considered, a student must be in the sophomore year and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. If approved, students must fulfill all requirements for the degree using their approved Independent Scholar plan as their major course of study. Independent Scholar proposals will be evaluated in light of feasibility, academic disciplinary integrity, and demonstrated ability of the student. A successful proposal must articulate a fully developed program of study, must include a methods course, and must demonstrate compellingly that the student’s academic goals cannot be met through existing majors.
Application process: To be designated an Independent Scholar, a student must undergo a rigorous approval process overseen by the Curriculum Committee. The process begins with an interview with the dean of curriculum. The student must subsequently prepare and submit a well-defined program to the Curriculum Committee, covering a description of the aim of the program, the independent work, and the courses he or she proposes to comprise the major. The proposal must be accompanied by a written endorsement of a faculty member who is willing and qualified to supervise the student, as well as a statement of support from an alternate faculty member. The Curriculum Committee will review all submitted materials, and if warranted, convene a meeting with the candidate and advisers. Final approval rests with the Curriculum Committee. An applicant whose proposal is denied is entitled to meet with the dean of curriculum or the Curriculum Committee.
Oversight: The Curriculum Committee will solicit updates from each Independent Scholar twice a year. Changes to the program must also be submitted to the Curriculum Committee, and the faculty supervisor will cosign all registration materials. The Major Declaration Form and Degree Audit Forms will be signed by both the faculty adviser and dean of curriculum. Students who elect to withdraw from the Independent Scholar Program, or who have their independent scholar status withdrawn, may be allowed, at the discretion of the committee, to graduate in general studies, without a formal major in any department."
Please report back with your thoughts after visiting.
Thank you everyone for your helpful comments !
Middlebury’s campus is BEAUTIFUL. The surroundings are exceedingly pretty, with the mountains and the forests; the campus itself is very extensive, with a lot of green. The buildings are also ideal, they combine old parts with new and modern renovated parts, but even the old buildings are very well maintained and look perfect. There is space to study in every building that you go in. There are computers available, comfortable armchairs, and even the classes are open in case someone wants to sit there and work.
The library is enormous, there are countless books and films that a student can borrow. It also has spaces where you can work socializing, but at the same time spaces where you are not allowed to talk and is only to study.
The food was regular food, it was good, but nothing crazy. Good enough, as one would expect.
Everyone was helpful and amicable.
The town is very small, with a few supermarkets, but we didnt have the chance to explore. I read that there a movie theatre and a few restaurants as well.
The sports facilities are also awesome, very spacious and modern.
Although the isolation and the cold look like a disadvantage, my son has decided to apply ED to Middlebury. He thinks that the weather doesnt matter because he would be going from class to class, to practice, to study, and to socialize. It’s okay to be indoors, the community grow stronger. There were also announcements of events going on IN EVERY SINGLE BUILDING. There were people coming from all over the nation to give some talk, or a club organizing something.
Middlebury is an awesome place, where students are given all the opportunities to thrive. The weather and isolation are just mere unimportant details compared to the quality of education and life that one is given.
http://rjohara.net/varia/middlebury/adirondack-sunsets/
Good luck to him!
A fine choice. Good luck to your son, @Lapeka !