<p>As the May 1st deadline to commit to a school is coming soon, I am struggling with my decision.</p>
<p>After much deliberation, I have decided between Colorado College and Middlebury College. However, I am very split between the two schools. I've visited Colorado College twice, and fell in love with its idealism, environment, and the block plan (of course). I just came back from Middlebury's campus preview for accepted students and didn't fall in love with the campus, but rather the academics and professors. The campus felt uncomfortable to me, and the students felt so plain and general. It's worth noting that I want to involve environmental studies in my curriculum; however, desire to connect sociology, economics, and philosophy.</p>
<p>I know for a fact that this is doable at CC, but do not think so much with Middlebury. However, the academics at Middlebury are considered superb and worthwhile. The particular reason I applied to Middlebury was to be able to work with a well-known scholar in residence in environmentalism writing, and work with a professor who specializes in environmental economics. Students have done remarkable things in being agents of change when it comes to sustainability. I'm also afraid of the workload at Middlebury, which would not allow me to pursue volunteering projects, but for me, I believe the workload at CC will be manageable especially with the block plan.</p>
<p>At CC, I am friends with a couple of current students and feel that their presence is what made CC so great for me. While at Middlebury, I knew no one and was really nervous, and perhaps this hindered my experience while I was in Vermont. </p>
<p>Also worth noting, financially my parents contribution would be similar. I received merit and need-based aid from CC, and my parents would roughly pay close to nothing. At Middlebury, their financial aid packet was very VERY generous, with a family contribution of only 3thousand dollars more. As money is not an issue, my parents are letting me choose where I go this fall. I know that ranking-wise Middlebury is by far a better school than CC, but feel that CC is remarkable in different aspects than just academics alone. I don't want to choose a school based off prestige, but purely what will be best for me as an individual who will learn and flourish in an environment that will help form me as a person who wants to be a "catalyst for change". </p>
<p>Any comments, or remarks would be very appreciated.</p>