Dorms

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
1

Hello, I’m an incoming freshman to Middlebury and I have a few questions about the dorms.

  1. How do they correlate classes with commons? Do the same professors always work under the same commons house? Same goes with classes. Are certain classes always connected with certain commons houses or is every class randomly connected to a common system?
  2. What should I bring? I’m from California, so I do have various limitations with what I can take to Midd, especially since I am low-income. What are tips to spending less?
  3. I hear the worst things about Battell. No one I met during the tours enjoyed it for one reason or another. Knowing my luck, I’m sure I’ll probably get placed in there. What are some good things about Battell?
2

No one will tell you this, but Battell is the place you want to be. It’s not for the physical location (definitely not the best) but rather because it’s where most of your class lives. You become much closer to your classmates because of the bond you share being placed in Battell. It is also the center of social interaction. Being in Battell is great benefit. Take it as such.

3
  1. You'll have your first year seminar with people from your commons, but that's it. Other classes aren't at all associated with commons. Some professors are associated with commons, but this has nothing to do with the classes they teach--they just go to commons dinners once in a while.
  2. Can't think of anything off the top of my head, but I'm constantly surprised by how much the college pays for for its students, including free food and stuff. Tickets to music and theater performances are either cheap ($6-ish) or free for students. Open meal plan is also very helpful, since you won't have to buy your own food.
  3. People sort of love to hate Battell. I didn't live there myself, but the people I know who did made friends there and in many cases kept them all four years.