<p>Any observations?</p>
<p>We visited both schools, and both are terrific, but in different ways. </p>
<p>I loved the town of Middlebury, Vt. - your picture perfect New England college town - tiny and jewel-like. I haven’t seen it in the fall, but I’m sure it’s gorgeous. And if you are a serious hiker or skier then Vermont has a lot more to offer than Iowa. Academically both schools are excellent, and both have great facilities overall.</p>
<p>However, to engage in some broad stereotyping, the cultures are different. Middlebury has a strong preppy constituency as well as a significant sports culture - a ‘smart jock’ orientation. (Our very non-preppy neighbor’s son at Middlebury notes that, despite his love of skiing, he is part of the minority.) There is a distinct ‘east coast feel' as well: It’s evident in the slicker packaging, some very wealthy kids (it’s called ‘Club Midd’ for a reason), and because of competition from Amherst, Dartmouth and Williams, I suspect the admin can’t afford to be modest or low key. The typical Midd student has been described to us as a bit more conventional, pre-professional and less politically liberal (relatively speaking) than the students at Grinnell. For example, you’d see many more students at Middlebury looking for a Wall Street job than at Grinnell.</p>
<p>As described elsewhere, Grinnell is more ‘Midwestern.’ It’s unpretentious, understated, painfully modest even. They don’t particularly tout their amazing facilities, small classes compared to other LACs even for intro courses, exceptionally generous financial aid and the huge endowment that makes this and so many other little benefits (like free campus events) possible. From what we hear, the students are very laid back, friendly and supportive.</p>
<p>Grinnell is also a bit smaller and more close-knit than Middlebury - that has positives and negatives, which you can work out. Finally, I believe Middlebury is even more remote from urban life than Grinnell. Burlington and Albany are the two closest cities and they are both a considerable distance away on winding roads. Iowa City is about an hour from Grinnell - a straight shot on the freeway. Not that you will want to leave either campus - they both have too much going on.</p>
<p>These impressions are of course, highly subjective and you can’t really go wrong. But I would indeed take a close look at the cultures of the two, and pick what feels right to you.</p>
<p>This is a no-brainer. Go for Middlebury. It is a school on the rise that will only get better and better. Very personal/ great track record getting grads in graduate schools/beautiful. What are your specific reservations?</p>
<p>I wouldn't call it such an immediate no-brainer...</p>
<p>rustycamino, I also applied to Middlebury this year and was admitted. I am choosing, however, to attend Macalester College instead as I feel that it offers a strong international program that can be compared to Middlebury's. International Affairs and languages are Middlebury's claim to fame, but similar to what M's Mom said, I felt that Middlebury wasn't as socially diverse and rewarding as some of the midwestern schools such as Mac, Grinnell, Oberlin, etc. </p>
<p>I didn't apply to Grinnell (though in hindsight, I wish I did.) I have friends there who constantly rave about how fantastic it is. They like the community feel of campus and the variety of events on campus given how "remote" the school is. I imagine Grinnell wouldn't feel remote given its plethora of "going ons" on campus. </p>
<p>In terms of academics, you can't go wrong with either. Both schools are top private schools with an excellence in academics. While Middlebury touts its "internationalism" and "diversity" as major draws, the place didn't feel as such when I visited...Yeah, good study abroad and international student population, but so what? A lot of schools (Grinnell included!) have good study abroad options and international populations. Now, Midd's language schools are renowned and very, very good...But do you want to study language? Is that what you plan to major in?</p>
<p>I can't really be more helpful until I know more of what you want to study...Or, as bigman mentions, what reservations or quandaries you have. My gut feeling is to say Grinnell as it offers the same academic experience and quality of facilities as Middlebury, but also has, imo, a friendlier, less northeastern snob-like student body. Kids at Middlebury struck me as very smart and passionate people who all look beautiful and want to create a perfect image of a school and education, and are more concerned with where Middlebury will take them post graduation; not the 4 year experience Middlebury offers. I also like Grinnell's breadth of course offerings and lack of general requirements. This really does allow for a genuinely intellectual and curious student body at Grinnell who are in classes that they want to take and are always engaged. Middlebury is like this too, but again, that sense of brand-name pervades...</p>
<p>I pretty much agree with everything posted above except the no-brainer post. My son is at Grinnell and chose it over many other options for the unpretentiousness and unconventionality of its students and profs--even the president! And yet the facilities and resources are tremendous. That said, we know lots of local kids at Midd and none of them are pretentious or snobby or preppy--they're just able to live with prep. The Fiske guide described Grinnell students as "funky and progressive". Midd students, as a whole, don't fit that description very well. Really depends on what you're looking for.</p>