Does Middlebury fit the stereotypes?

<p>I've heard that Middlebury is very jockish and preppy. The conception seems to be it is largely a school for rich kids. I'm wondering whether there is merit to this reputation? I was just accepted but haven't been able to visit, so any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>Well, every stereotype has SOME basis in fact, but be careful, stereotypes are often offensive, because they don’t ALWAYS apply. As at all elite schools, there are a lot of prep school grads at Middlebury, but you’ll find that most students went to public school. It’s an expensive school (you get what you pay for), so there are some extremely wealthy kids, but I had plenty of friends who were attending for free. You rarely have any idea how much money someone has because no one flaunts their wealth. Middlebury does have great athletic teams and people are very active, but everyone seems to mix well. I never felt that there were groups from which I was excluded because I wasn’t jocky, or artsy, or nerdy, or whatever. I know that if you were to visit you would find that it’s very open and very friendly.</p>

<p>Urban is correct… there is some basis of truth in any stereotype, but it is also true that you don’t always know who is on financial aid and who is not. For example, my kid is NOT on financial aid and sometimes feels as if he is on a tighter budget than some who are!</p>

<p>Yes, it is a jock laden school. And as we come into the end of sophomore year, this is what I have come to learn about it. It is hard to go from being a three sport athlete in HS to a no sport athlete at a school like Middlebury. There are no fraternities and so a lot of times the teams themselves become a sort of group in and of themselves. It can seem a little cliquey but this said, everyone IS friendly and with a little bit of effort you can make friends across the board. </p>

<p>And I feel it’s only fair to also note, if you were never a jock in HS you might not even notice it as much as the kid who once was a jock. But I will also say this… sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone, while not easy, is a very good thing for personal growth. I can honestly say that while it hasn’t always been easy for my S, he is really and truly getting a chance to explore a lot of interests he never had time for before. He has ALWAYS loved his classes and is now really looking forward to living in a superblock next year. Midd has taught him a great deal about himself, and as far as an education goes… this is all part of the bigger picture.</p>

<p>New subject. Can anyone tell the easiest way to get to Middlebury? Does the school have a shuttle which brings the students to the nearest airport before the school break or is everyone driving?</p>

<p>They have a bus before and after breaks you can sign up for, but a lot of kids carpool as well. There is also a limo service that has larger vans to take kids back and forth too. I have never gotten involved in the transportation to and from the airport except for once when S’s flight was terribly delayed and he would have missed his ride with other students. I called Middlebury Transit (limo service thing) and they were awesome.</p>

<p>i dont know…the stereotypes have more than a grain of truth to them. be prepared to see a swath of polo shirts, backwards hats, and sweatpants in the dining halls. and next to the mass of “m*******s” there’s a sizeable contingent of environmental types.</p>

<p>i see it as a campus of individuals, though. youll have a great group of friends on your freshman hall and totally stop thinking about it. i wouldnt let it dissuade you–i really wouldnt. a bunch of my buddies have full rides and are totally their own people. there are kids from all over the world. it’s a really uplifting place in that respect.</p>

<p>My daughter is a junior, and so UNathletic it’s hilarious. She has good friends who play water polo, row crew, run track, but she couldn’t be less interested. And they couldn’t care less that she isn’t a jock. She is also extremely happy with Middlebury and loves her large group of diverse, smart, positive friends. From her perspective, Middlebury students overall are friendly and accepting with no one group or mindset dominating. Plus, geez, it’s so freaking cold in the winter everyone is just glad to stay warm!</p>

<p>My sons at Midd are both very different-and very happy-
one a computer genius and political junkie-not an athlete, has made a lot of friends from different walks of life and parts of the country-rich heiresses from abroad, eco-freaks, and activists…
The other is a recruited athlete-hangs with the team some, but lots of friends from his dorm and his classes…
They get financial aid, one works 20 hours a week(campus jobs) and the other is a miser. They find the lifestyles of the rich and famous to be somewhat amusing, but don’t feel at a disadvantage. Of course for Christmas, they drove Grandpa’s old Buick to the homestead, instead of jetting to Paris or some loft in Manhattan, but it takes all kinds.
And Midd has 'em. It’s a happy kinda place.</p>