<p>I'm an african american student from the midwest, and I am in love with Middlebury. My only main concern is about the tolerance (or lack there of) for students of color. I don't want to feel weird, or insecure. Is this a good move,to want to apply?</p>
<p>Secondly, how is the social life on campus. And the neighboring town. I'm aware of the fact that it's rural but is there anything I should know? </p>
<p>Any and all comments are welcomed.</p>
<p>Well… I hope you are HS class of 2013 because there is a special event called Discover Middlebury next fall you should apply to where you get a free trip to explore and experience campus. If you are 2012, you might still try - look up Discover Middlebury in Google, but the deadline passed and the event is in 2 weeks.</p>
<p>Having said all that… I think you’ll find that a large majority of people on campus and in the community are color-blind and many will be potentially more interested and supportive of you than if you were elsewhere. Of course there will be a small % of people with high IQs who are not comfortable with people who are different - but you’ll find these people everywhere… but I really think, less so at Middlebury. Very small town, not a lot happens in town, but the campus is active. From my experience in such towns, being of a minority student (and from the midwest -double bonus) of an elite college is a very positive thing…</p>
<p>I am from the class of 2012. So unfortunately I’ve missed out on that opportunity. I only ask about diversity because I am currently going through the POSSE process. I’m unsure if you’re familiar with this. But basically you get full tuition but the catch is you have to pick nine of the POSSE schools. Middlebury is one. </p>
<p>Are you currently at Middlebury now?</p>
<p>Comment please.
Anything & everything!</p>
<p>aktaylor, I’d be surprised if you felt there was intolerance for students of color at Middlebury. Yes, the school does have a tough time attracting African Americans to rural Vermont, but that does not suggest that they are intolerant. I think you’d find quite the opposite. The school is definitely tolerant, it’s just that (and yes, I realize I’m generalizing here) the typical African American student is from a more urban environment and it’s difficult to attract them to a small rural Vermont campus. In recent years the diversity on campus has definitely improved. I think if you spent some time there you’d find it a tolerant environment.</p>
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<p>The difficulty attracting African American students to Middlebury due to being in a very rural area is true. But African Americans opting not to matriculate because of Middblebury’s ruralness for ruralness sake isn’t as easily explained as that. Transportation, or lack of, is a significant factor. Middlebury competes for students (especially QuestBridge applicants) with the Ivies, Amherst College, Wesleyan, Williams, Haverford, Bowdoin, Vassar, etc. All are much easier to get to via public transportation, a short bus ride from a nearby airport or the college provides transportation to and from the local airport that is, for most part, much easier and cheaper to reach than Burlington.</p>
<p>Alpine villages do have their drawbacks.</p>
<p>The climate is 4 season temperate, I believe.</p>
<p>thanks for all the comments!</p>
<p>Any comments on social life?</p>
<p>A community of brilliant, motivated students will always have something going on. There will be no shortage of activities. </p>
<p>If you crave having your pick of dozens of activities each weekend e.g. 'I want to hear modern jazz (or Bangra, or Blue) tonight you will be out of luck - NYC, Philly, DC or Boston are better bets if you have such an appetite. There are periodic performances, but Middlebury is a small town.</p>
<p>The other thing to realize with a small LAC is that you will recognize people everywhere you go in the area and they will recognize you to some degree. Most people consider this a good thing. If you prefer anonymity or intense diversity, or even a different Chinese restaurant than the one you usually go to, a small rural school may not be satisfying.</p>
<p>Having said all that, for those ready to engage in an intellectually stimulating community that will welcome your ideas and you as a person, a school like Middlebury can be a really great place.</p>
<p>This may sound very far fetched…if I get in.
But is it pretty easy to get around campus by walking? Also do they have a middlebury bus system for the students?
How far away from campus is the town?</p>
<p>You can walk to town from the campus. The campus is 100% walkable… (though at times best in snowshoes!) Some students use bikes to get around. Not sure of a campus shuttle.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, it is usually the big universities that are spread out over a mile or so. Most LACs are small and compact. This is the nature of most LACs, to be a small community. A few like Williams, Middlebury and Amherst are a little more open and spread out, but they are still walkable.</p>
<p>One more thing… As a student of color from the midwest, you have a few good hooks for Middlebury. I recommend contacting the school and trying to get some visibility for yourself.</p>
<p>There is an extensive bus system with links to Burlington and other Vermont cities. Many students also bicycle from point A to point B.</p>
<p>Any science majors out there?</p>