Does Middlebury compare to Amherst and Williams?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am having trouble deciding where to apply early to college. I am thinking Midd because I like it the best, but is it comparable to Amherst and Williams in terms of academics and prestige? And is Middlebury a well respected LAC? I definatley want to go to a LAC, and I have narrowed it down to these three for ED.</p>

2

<p>Yes, it “compares” in every way.</p>

<p>Amherst/Williams may be moderately more prestigous, but certainly not by nearly enough to overcome someone’s personal preference for Middlebury.</p>

3

<p>Middlebury College
Academics:
Home to “smart people who enjoy Aristotelian ethics and quantum physics, but aren’t too stuck up to go sledding in front of Mead Chapel at midnight,” Middlebury College is a small, exclusive liberal arts school with "excellent (rest of review is missing)</p>

<p>Student Body:
The typical [Middlebury] student is athletic, outdoorsy, and very intelligent. The two most prominent demographics are “very preppy students (popped collars)” and “extreme hippies.” One undergrad explains: “The typical students are one of two types: either ‘Polo, Nantucket red, pearls, and summers on the Cape,’ or ‘Birks, wool socks, granola, and suspicious smells about them.’ A lot of people break these two molds, but they often fall somewhere on the spectrum between them.” There’s also “a huge international student population, which is awesome,” but some international students, “tend to separate out and end up living in language houses.” There’s also “a really strong theater/artsy community” here. One student notes, “Other than a few groups, everyone mingles pretty well. We’re all too damn friendly and cheerful for our own good.”</p>

<p>Campus Life:
This high level of involvement in everything translates into an amazing campus atmosphere at Middlebury, where “most people are very involved. There is a club for just about everything you can imagine, and if you can imagine one that hasn’t yet been created, you go ahead and create it yourself.” With great skiing and outdoor activity close by, “Almost everyone is athletic in some way. This can translate into anything from varsity sports to intramural hockey (an extremely popular winter pastime!). People are enthusiastic about being active and having fun.” Because the school “is set in a very small town, there aren’t too many (if any) problems with violence, drugs, [or] crime. It’s the ideal college town because of its rural setting, in that there are no real distractions other than those that are provided within the college campus.” Of course, the small-town setting also means that “the only real off-campus activity is going out to eat at the town’s quaint restaurants or going to the one bar in town,” but fortunately "when it comes to on-campus activities, Middlebury provides the student population with tons of great events. Everything from classy music concerts to late-night movies and dance parties can be found as a Midd-supported activity. The</p>

4

<p>Williams College
Academics:
Williams College is a small bastion of the liberal arts “with a fantastic academic reputation.” Administrators sometimes “ignore student consensus in their misguided efforts to improve campus life,” but they are “incredibly compassionate and accessible” and red tape is virtually unheard of. Financial aid is outrageous. Absolute, “full-ride” assistance with no loans is available to any student who needs it. “Williams students tend to spend a lot of time complaining about how much work they have” but they say the academic experience is “absolutely incomparable.” Classes are “small” and “intense.” “The facilities are absolutely top-notch in almost everything.” Research opportunities are plentiful. A one-month January term offers study-abroad programs and a host of short pass/fail courses that are “a college student’s dream come true.” “The hard science departments are incredible.” Economics, art history, and English are equally outstanding. Despite the occasional professor “who should not even be teaching at the high school level,” the faculty at Williams is one of the best. Most professors “jump at every opportunity to help you love their subject.” “They’re here because they want to interact with undergrads.” “If you complain about a Williams education then you would complain about education anywhere,” wagers an economics major</p>

<p>Student Body:
The student population at Williams is not the most humble. They describe themselves as “interesting and beautiful” “geniuses of varying interests.” They’re “quirky, passionate, zany, and fun.” They’re “athletically awesome.” They’re “freakishly unique” and at the same time “cookie-cutter amazing.” Ethnic diversity is stellar and you’ll find all kinds of different students including “the goth students,” “nerdier students,” “a ladle of environmentally conscious pseudo-vegetarians,” and a few “west coast hippies.” However, “a typical student looks like a rich white kid” who grew up “playing field hockey just outside Boston” and spends summers “vacationing on the Cape.” Sporty students abound. “There definitely is segregation between the artsy kids and the athlete types but there is also a significant amount of crossover.” “Williams is a place where normal social labels tend not to apply,” reports a junior. "Everyone here got in for a reason. So that football player in your theater class has amazing insight on Chekhov and that outspoken environmental activist also specializes in improv comedy.</p>

<p>Campus Life:
Students at Williams enjoy a “stunning campus.” “The Berkshire mountains are in the background every day as you walk to class” and opportunities for outdoor activity are numerous. The location is in “the boonies,” though, and the surrounding “one-horse college town” is “quaint” at best. “There is no nearby place to buy necessities that is not ridiculously overpriced.” Student life happens almost exclusively on campus. Dorm rooms are “large” and “well above par” but the housing system is “very weird.” While some students like it, there is a general consensus that its creators “should be slapped and sent back to Amherst.” Entertainment options include “lots of” performances, plays, and lectures. Some students are “obsessed with a capella groups.” Intramurals are popular, especially broomball (“a sacred tradition involving a hockey rink, sneakers, a rubber ball, and paddles”). Intercollegiate sports are “a huge part of the social scene.” For many students, the various varsity teams “are the basic social blocks at Williams.” “Everyone for the most part gets along, but the sports teams seem to band together,” explains a sophomore. Booze-laden parties" “and general disorder on weekends” are common. “A lot of people spend their lives between homework and practice and then just get completely smashed on weekends.” Nothing gets out of hand, though. “We know how to unwind without being stupid,” says a sophomore.</p>

5

<p>Amherst College
Academics:
With just fewer than 1,700 students, Amherst College “has a strong sense of community born of its small size” that goes hand-in-hand with an atmosphere that “encourages discussion and cooperation.” Many here are quick to praise the “fantastic” professors and “supportive” administration. “Professors come here to teach,” says one undergrad, “not just to do research.” The “enriching” academics are bolstered by the “dedicated” faculty, but slackers be warned: You must be “willing to sit down and read a text forward and backward and firmly grasp it” as “skimming will do you no good.” Besides having “easily accessible” professors, some students also appreciate that “registration is done by paper” as “it forces you to talk to your advisor.” Another student notes that “I’m amazed at how easy it is to sit down for a casual lunch with anyone in the administration without there having to be a problem that needs to be discussed.” Indeed, most here agree that “the support for students is as good as anyone could expect.” However, some mention that despite the “administration, staff, and faculty” being “accessible and receptive to student input on every level,” the “realities of running a small school in this economic climate mean a lot of suggestions won’t be acted upon any time soon.” Nevertheless, Amherst’s alumni have a solid track record when it comes to obtaining postgraduate degrees-so much so that some think of the college "as prep school for grad school.</p>

<p>Student Body:
Traditionally, the student body at Amherst has been known by the “stereotype of the preppy, upper middle class, white student,” but many here note that the school is “at least as racially diverse as the country and more economically diverse than people think.” That’s not to say that the college doesn’t have “a sizeable preppy population fresh from East Coast boarding schools,” but overall students here report that “Diversity-racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic-is more than a buzzword here.” The campus is also “a politically and environmentally conscious” place, as well as a “highly athletic one.” The school’s small size “means that no group is isolated and everyone interacts and more or less gets along.” Others, however, aren’t as convinced about the student body’s unity. “There is definitely a divide in the student body,” says one undergrad. “The typical Amherst student is either an extremely quiet, bookish nerd or a lumbering, backward-baseball-cap-wearing jock.” That said, the school is filled with “open-minded, intellectually passionate, and socially-conscious critical thinkers.” As one student puts it, “Most students-even our most drunken athletes and wild party-goers-are concerned about learning and academics.”</p>

<p>Campus Life:
While students at Amherst are “focused first and foremost on academics, nearly every student is active and enjoys life outside of the library.” “There’s a club or organization for every interest” here, and students assure us that if there isn’t one that you’re interested in, “the school will find the money for it.” Students also praise the “awesome” dorms (some say they’re “as spacious, well-maintained, and luxurious as many five-star hotels”), for being “designed to facilitate social interaction.” Coincidentally, the dorms tend to serve as the school’s social hub, particularly since Greek organizations were banned back in 1985. Amherst makes up for the lack of frat houses with “a number of socials put on by student government and I-Club (International Club) that are held throughout the year at bars downtown.” And don’t worry if you don’t have a car since these events “have free buses that transport students to and from the bars.” Some bemoan that the town of Amherst is “incredibly small” and doesn’t feature much in the way of fun. Others take solace in “the many eateries in town that feature lots of ethnically diverse foods” and “go to sporting events.” And since Amherst is part of the Five Colleges consortium, there’s “an extended social life to be had,” however “not that many people go out of their way to experience it.” For those who like liquor with their extracurricular activities, most “drink on-campus instead of off-campus” thanks to some "huge apartment parties.</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>You’re mistaking name recognition with prestige. Amherst and Williams are far more prestigious than Middlebury. The two schools are “moderately” more reputable.</p>

<p>Middlebury is an excellent school, academically. One discovers that the students are very vocally satisfied about their learning and classroom experiences there–more so than Amherst and Williams students–if one consults the Princeton Review rankings, which are based solely on student surveys.</p>

<p>If you’re fond of all three schools, you should apply regular decision to all three and make the decision when the time comes.</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>Spoken like a true Amherst student (one of the main reasons I didn’t bother applying to A). I’m often baffled where your overextended sense of superiority comes from.</p>

8

<p>Given how little prestige should mean to those considering and those attending LACs, I can’t for the life of me understand why asserting my institution’s superiority–solely on the matter of prestige–has caused you to get so worked up.</p>

<p>The OP was asking about whether Middlebury compared to Amherst and Williams with regards to academics and prestige.</p>

<p>Having visited Middlebury several times, having spent a week auditing classes across different departments, and having been enrolled at Middlebury–intent on spending my next four years there–before I was accepted off the Amherst waitlist, I can argue that one is likely to have a more fulfilling and enriching educational experience there–and, I have.</p>

<p>[Middlebury</a> College](<a href=“College Search | Find Colleges | The Princeton Review”>College Search | Find Colleges | The Princeton Review)</p>

<p>Rank List</p>

<h1>2 Most Popular Study Abroad Program</h1>

<h1>14 Best Campus Food</h1>

<h1>14 Best Career Services</h1>

<h1>4 Professors Get High Marks</h1>

<h1>2 School Runs Like Butter</h1>

<h1>6 Students Study the Most</h1>

<h1>10 Best Classroom Experience</h1>

<h1>6 Best Quality of Life</h1>

<h1>19 Best Athletic Facilities</h1>

<p>These rankings are based entirely on the opinion that Middlebury students have of their own school.</p>

<p>I fully encourage the OP to apply ED to Middlebury, given the outstanding education and quality of life he’ll likely have there.</p>

<p>But, it’s rather clear-cut that Amherst and Williams are more prestigious than Middlebury. I won’t concede this issue. It’s honestly not a big deal.</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>Came from being named #1 a few times by the bible.
Came from a superior study body without dubious stats reports.
Came from Williams. ;-).</p>

<p>I’m baffled this kind of question came up.</p>

10

<br>

<br>

<p>It’s kinda like asking whether say Brown “compares” to Harvard and Yale. No, it’s not as famous, but the education you can get there can take you anywhere you want to go.</p>

1 Like
11

<p>Amherst, Williams, and Middlebury are all top northeastern LACs. There are, of course, some significant differences between them, and so there may be perfectly valid reasons to prefer one over the others. </p>

<p>But for real-world purposes, the differences in terms of overall “academics and prestige” between the three schools are not terribly significant. Contrary to the apparent fears of many collegeconfidential readers, a difference of 2-3 spots in the USN&WR rankings does not magically alter the perceptions of future employers or graduate schools. They are more likely to perceive the three schools as essentially similar than to split hairs between them.</p>

<p>I don’t think the Harvard/Yale/Brown comparison is particularly compelling. It’s probably true that many people, both nationally and internationally, would recognize Harvard and Yale as top universities, but would not recognize Brown. But realistically, there’s no way that the name recognition of any LAC compares to that of Harvard and Yale. The same people who don’t recognize Brown won’t recognize Amherst, Williams, or Middlebury either.</p>

<p>Are there many people who would recognize Amherst and Williams as top LACs, yet have no awareness of Middlebury? I doubt it. You either know about LACs (in which case you know all three schools) or you don’t (in which case you don’t know any of them).</p>

<p>Granted, there are some specific disciplines where one school may have superior “academics and prestige” (e.g. Midd for languages, Williams for art history or math), but that’s different from overall reputation.</p>

12

<p>These schools are definitely all VERY well-regarded LACs. I hope we don’t have to argue that? The difference in prestige between williams/amherst and middlebury is debatable. My personal opinion is that they are essentially equal in reputation. And I would argue absolutely equal in academic quality. Middlebury students seem the happiest/most satisfied to me. But that’s just my (slightly biased) opinion.</p>

13

<p>

</p>

<p>The HYB comparison is in the Ivy League context. People who are awared of the Ivy League and know Penn State is not Penn will tell you there’s a huge difference between Brown and HY.<br>
The Amherst/Williams/Middlebury should be compared in the same context. People who know about LACs will tell you Amherst/Williams are a few tier higher than Middlebury.</p>

14

<p>

</p>

<p>Debatable? Who honestly thinks Middlebury is more prestigious? If no one, including 2000+ academia heavyweights, put Middlebury ahead of Williams/Amherst, how is the difference in prestige “debatable?”</p>

15

<br>

<br>

<p>You missed the point. Middsmith gets it. Among universities HYP (or HYPSM) are the most famous, but a Brown education will do you just fine. You won’t suffer in life for having gone to a fine but less famous school like Brown. It’s same in the LAC world. AWS are the most famous, but having a degree from Middlebury will still set you up for success just fine.</p>

16

<p>

The problem I think many are having is with the bolded adjective. AWS are indeed the most prestigious elite LACs, but not to the degree that “far” implies.</p>

17

<p>All three are outstanding LACs and you can’t go wrong with any of them. That said, there is a difference. In a nutshell, it’s this:</p>

<p>Strength of entering class:</p>

<p>School / % with 700+ SAT CR / % with 700+ SAT M
Williams / 64% / 60%
Amherst / 63% / 60%
Middlebury / 49% / 48%</p>

<p>Prestige among academics:</p>

<p>School / USNWR PA rating
Williams / 4.7
Amherst / 4.6
Middlebury / 4.3</p>

<p>Middlebury’s scores on these measures are outstanding. But Williams and Amherst are clearly a cut above, as measured by strength of the entering class and standing among their peers.</p>

18

<br>

<br>

<p>No doubt this was true in 1959. But today?
It depends on your “tribe” I suppose. </p>

<p>Social exclusivity, once as important to prestige as academic merit, has been turned on its head. Now it’s a negative. It’s just so outr</p>

19

<p>

</p>

<p>Please define “prestigious”.</p>

20

<p>

</p>

<p>Those same 2000+ academia heavyweights, when rating colleges this year, elevated Middlebury’s peer assessment score to an all-time high. The same is not true for Amherst. When you’re at the top, you have nowhere to go but down.</p>