<p>I go to a small private school in New England.
We don't have the greatest ties with Middlebury, and we're already sending a recruited athlete next year (does that hurt my chances?).</p>
<p>1300/1600 SAT (630 CR/670 M) and 690 in W (idk if they look at that)
3.65 weighted GPA</p>
<p>My main thing is language...I've had an A all throughout high school in French and scored a 5 on the AP. So naturally, Middlebury's top-notch language program attracts me to the school. One of my recommendations comes from my AP French teacher and I'm thinking it's going to be really strong.</p>
<p>Also I'm very into Environmental Studies...I'm taking that AP this year and have an A-</p>
<p>But other than that, my grades are as follows:
calculus - B
honors english - B/B+
history - A (easy class...shh)</p>
<p>I know it's a reach for me, but should I give it a shot? Does it help that I'm a good language student?</p>
<p>They do look at writing. As for your SATs, you have a 650 average on the other two sections, the 25th percentile. Are you a URM, recruited athlete, or legacy? Those would help, but I get the feeling you don't fall into any of those categories. I would guess it's a reach or so. (I'm not a student, but tons of kids apply to Midd from my school every year, so I have a good sense of what they're looking for.) Gook luck anyhow.</p>
<p>To be honest, Middlebury is known first for its languages and second for its environmental studies, meaning those two subjects are why most people apply to them. There was a girl in my grade who wanted to go to Midd but was rejected and she had A+ in French every year, A+ in AP Environmental and an overall GPA of about a 97 and she was rejected. She actual has a family friend who works in admissions and she asked her to find out why she did not get in and she was told that it was because she was the stereotypical language/environmental Midd student and they wanted to diversify</p>
<p>But I don't think that this is to say that Middlebury automatically rejects you just because you're aiming for a language major--I just think it means that that field will be more competitive.</p>
<p>I'm really nervous after reading this thread, to be honest, because I'm also looking into Middlebury for its great language program. But, not much I can do now. I want to major in languages because I love them, not because I think they'll get me into a prestigious college; I wouldn't change my major (or lie about it) just so I can have a better chance. That's also NOT to say that anyone who applies to Middlebury is actually going to major in a language but most of them are lying about it... Sorry if you got that impression.</p>
<p>I'm just really on-edge about the whole thing because I understand a college's need to "diversify" but I also feel as though if an applicant is really really passionate about a subject and wants to go to a college that offers a stellar program in that field, it shouldn't count against them. But that's how competition works I guess...</p>
<p>Sail640: Yes, you should apply to Middlebury College, and, yes, your SAT scores are competitive. Middlebury only accepts 20% of all applicants so it is a reach school for everyone.
The tone of your writing is kind & sincere, you are applying to Middlebury for all of the right reasons & I hope that you are admitted; but, you will never know if you don't apply.
P.S. A score of 5 on an AP foreign language test is impressive especially if you have not studied abroad in a French language immersion program.
P.P.S. If they want diversity, tell them that you are willing to study Environmental Studies in French.</p>
<p>definitely emphasize your language interests
i have a friend who made his spanish teacher write a rec for him who had studied language at midd as a graduate student.. he is unbelievably stupid but it made him get in</p>
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To be honest, Middlebury is known first for its languages and second for its environmental studies, meaning those two subjects are why most people apply to them.
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<p>Bleehhh. </p>
<p>I agree with Tan2007, hopefully our interests won't hurt us... after all, that is a major reason why we are attracted to Middlebury.</p>
<p>poss791, my AP French teacher is writing one of my letters of recommendation. Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>ColdWind, thanks for the encouragement. I visited the school and really liked it... so I think I'll go for it. Que sera sera.</p>
<p>You mean if I am truly passionate in the languages and the environment, that puts me at a disadvantage? This is what I would mainly be writing about in my essay. I don't see the common sense..</p>