<p>Middlebury's been getting a lot of pub in the last couple of weeks (and prior to that as well) as a place where the workload is intense. Princeton Review installed it at the number 14 spot on their "Students Study the Most" list, and Newsweek/Daily Beast just posted it at number 3 on their "Most Rigorous" list, ahead of other LAC's with reputations for a very heavy workload, such as Swarthmore and Reed.</p>
<p>Obviously, lists have their flaws, both in methodology and statistical validity. So, I ask you, Middlebury folk, is Midd's escalating reputation for very demanding academics well founded? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Do students there feel oppressed and overwhelmed, or challenged and satisfied that they're getting their (parents) money's worth? Do they find time to engage in the many non-academic pursuits available to them, without walking around with dark circles under their eyes?</p>
<p>Honestly, all these things are relative. At many colleges now, students report doing less than 2 hours a week per class of homework.Then they complain that they don’t get As.</p>
<p>So I guess part of the question is: how much do you actually want to learn in college.</p>
<p>My sons both are very happy to be at Midd, and neither are grinds. Both spend more than enough time socializing.</p>
<p>The athlete has a B average studying a lot, but he is taking sciences and a new language as well as practicing 3-4 hours a day in season. For that investment of time he will be fluent in a very valuable language to know along with able to apply to med school if he wishes.</p>
<p>The other son is studying economics, which is relatively easy for him. He has an A average doing about 20 hours a week of studying per his estimate.That’s more than twice the national average. He also works 10 hours a week on campus. He finds it more difficult than high school. where he got straight As doing very little outside work, but he’s pleased with the interesting work, and his profs and classmates.He spends at least 2 nights a week fooling around with his friends.</p>
<p>So what do you want? A valuable college experience where you actually learn something, or to waste $200,000 partying with classes? Of course, many schools accomplish the goal of promoting actual learning, but Midd grads are well-prepared for grad school, or the work that real life entails.</p>