<p>I know Middlebury is known for its language and literature programs, but how is the science?</p>
<p>I believe that they've made an effort in recent years to raise the profile of their programs with new buildings, facilities, etc. I can say that in conservation biology, their program is top-notch, and of course they are well known for excellence in environmental studies and its scientific components. I think being a student interested in hard science like chemistry or physics would be a boost on any application, however.</p>
<p>how is the pre-med program?</p>
<p>These are the kind of questions I love. Or am bothered by. One of the two. But either way it's as if people don't even bother to research schools at all.</p>
<p>Taken directly from the Middlebury website:
[quote]
If you are planning a career in medicine, law, or dentistry, and indeed a large number of Middlebury graduates enter these professional schools each year, don't look for a major labeled pre-med, pre-law, or pre-dentistry. At Middlebury, these and other pre-professional areas of study (engineering, architecture, business administration, nursing, veterinary medicine) are programs, not majors. Why? Because Middlebury believes that a liberal arts curriculum develops the critical thinking skills that are essential for beginning any career or profession.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Modadunn: It never hurts to get information that comes from a source other than Middlebury. Would you expect the school to write, "Our programs aren't actually that good"? </p>
<p>Students can expect more candid (if not more accurate) information here.</p>
<p>I495 I agree with you, and I am interested to know their science program. However the question I was responding to was "how is their pre-med," to which it is clearly stated they don't have one per say.</p>
<p>Modadunn, Middlebury has a pre-med program. Basically, you major or double major, and minor in whatever you choose, and then you have a pre-med concentration. What the Midd website is saying is that pre-med is not a major at Midd, because at some schools, pre-med is offered as a major. However, a student can have a pre-med concentration. Does that help?</p>
<p>While I appreciate the answer being directed to me, Large T-Rex's question was "how is the pre-med program?" I am sure, however, that in order to be considered a Pre-med curriculum you are majoring or double majoring in some science. Given this, I think the original question, while somewhat addressed via environmental science, could still use some further clarification/discussion.</p>
<p>How are the professors? Engaging or dry? Are students REALLY able to do research? With professors or independently? Beyond the physical plant (buildings), is the program well funded and/or supported? </p>
<p>Even in trying to research student opinions via other websites, it is hard to find science specific responses.</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I saw this thread online and thought I'd chime in on behalf of Midd's science program. For background, I'm a Midd '06 grad (biochemistry) who's now a first-year medical student. I have to say that I loved the sciences at Midd. Granted, there's not the kind of ground-breaking research that's going on at other schools, and we don't have huge amounts of research funding that you might see in other places. But the advantage of working in a small school is that you work directly with your professors - not with TAs - and they actually engage you constantly, in discussion groups and small classes. My senior thesis advisor had us over to his house regularly, and I got to know a good number of my professors on a first-name basis. </p>
<p>My research wasn't too terribly novel or important - but I really got to run my project, really got to learn the ins and outs of coming up with something and figuring out where to go with it, and really got to use all of the great equipment whenever I wanted to. For my thesis, I had open access to and used a DNA sequencer, an LC-MS, an NMR machine, plus all of the normal accoutrements that you'd expect to find in an undergraduate lab. From what I've heard from my classmates, that kind of hands-on experience is rare in a larger institution. Plus, Middlebury's science facilities are, I think, great. </p>
<p>The departments are small, and showing an interest in science should definitely be a plus on your application. It means that a science major really gets to know his or her department, though, and they take a genuine interest in their students. My department has pictures of each class of majors that's graduated over the last couple of decades, and my professors can walk up and down the hall and tell you stories about the students from twenty years ago - that's how well they know their students. And they keep in touch. </p>
<p>Basically, my take on the whole thing is that barely anybody does truly novel, important research during undergrad - the goal should be to train you to be engaged mentally, learning skills like critical thinking and teamwork, that will prepare you for graduate work if you choose it (along with, of course, the basic set of technical skills that you'll need). I feel like you certainly get that at Middlebury. I think it's a top-notch science education, whether you decide to go into industry, research, education, medicine, or whatever. </p>
<p>To answer some of the specific questions above:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Like any school, the professors aren't 100% perfect. But, by and large, they are highly interested in the success of their students. The academic environment in general and especially in the sciences is very collaborative, not competitive, and the professors encourage the students to work together. We even had physical chemistry exams where half of the exam was done individually and the other half was done as an entire class. The strength of the honor code, especially within the sciences, allows for experiences like that (which, in retrospect, were remarkable). And one great thing about Midd professors is that they're there to teach - not to do research, not to publish papers, but to engage their students intellectually on a daily basis. </p></li>
<li><p>Are students really able to do research? Absolutely. All you have to do is talk to a professor in your department, and they'll help you start to set something up. There's a whole gradient of opportunities available in various labs, some of which are more focused on publishing a paper for every student's thesis, and some of which are more focused on allowing the student to work independently through a research project. It really varies based on the professor - but they all have grants for what they need. As for independent research, you could always work something like that out (of course under the supervision of a faculty mentor). A small school like Middlebury is very amenable to that kind of arrangement (and they love to say what cool things their students have come up with to do). Generally speaking, though, the students' research is related to the professor's in some way. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Also, many students stay for a summer to do funded research. I started my senior thesis during the summer after my junior year, working eight hours a day in the lab and enjoying the Vermont summer for the rest. It's a great opportunity to get deeply involved in a project and get to know people in the departments as well.</p>
<p>As for the pre-med curriculum: the description that was offered above is pretty accurate. Basically, you just major in whatever you want, and then there's a pre-med advisory office that helps you make sure you're getting in the classes that you need to apply to medical school. There is no declared pre-med "major" or even a "concentration," and you don't have to major in sciences. I have had plenty of friends from Midd and elsewhere who are humanities majors and just took the requisite classes for medical school applications, and are now medical students. Middlebury definitely encourages this - and the liberal arts curriculum is flexible enough to allow it. For instance, as a pre-med biochemistry major, I took an entire semester to study in Spain (taking no science classes). </p>
<p>When it's time to apply for medical school, Middlebury has an internal application process (like many schools) where you apply and get interviewed within Midd (by professors and some local physician alumni), and then they assemble a packet of reference letters, transcripts, etc. that is sent out to the schools that you apply to. The office that takes care of this is called the Health Professions Office, and they're great (Health</a> Professions). </p>
<p>Generally speaking, students from schools like Midd tend to not do as well on exams like the MCAT - because we don't learn all of the minutae. For example some of my roommates went to larger universities as Chemistry majors, and their typical semester might consist of five or six chem classes. You'd have a more balanced course load at a school like Midd, but that does mean that your standardized test scores might go down.</p>
<p>That said, if you go to a school like Midd, you'll probably do just fine. And the skills you get from being in a less didactic / more academically engaging & participatory environment would serve you well as a physician if you choose to go down that road. Most of the basic science that you learn in college is summarized in a couple of med school classes anyway, and then you move on to other things - so it's not like you need to remember everything you learn in your college science classes. In my opinion, it's more relevant to learn how to reason (a good tool in, for instance, the diagnostic process) and how to love learning (because education doesn't stop with college). </p>
<p>Having said that, Midd does fine with med school acceptances - especially to good ones - because the schools know what they're getting, even if some of the standardized test scores are a little lower. When I applied, I had a very good response from schools, and I ended up having to decide between two top-five schools. And I know I'm not alone in that, based on what my Midd friends have said. So don't think that going to Middlebury would ever hurt your ability to get into medical school.</p>
<p>Does anyone have insight into the dual degree program in engineering at Middlebury?</p>
<p>I am interested in the sciences, specifically chemistry/chemical engineering. However, considering Middlebury is a liberal arts school, there is not a chemical engineering major. Fortunately, there is a dual degree program with Dartmouth, Columbia, and RPI.</p>
<p>However, though it says on the Midd website that Midd students have a “near perfect record” of getting into the dartmouth program and that with an average of B or better, students are guaranteed admission to Columbia or RPI, how accurate/valid is this?</p>
<p>Does anyone know the statistics of students actually pursuing in this dual degree program and what percentage actually get in?</p>