Meeting With Professors on Visits

<p>I am visiting Middlebury this next week and I was told it would be a valuable experience to talk to a professor. For me this would be Chemistry. I was wondering if anyone knew who the best person to meet with would be? Also what all should happen in these informal meeting and what benefits can I expect from an encounter like this?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>If you have time you should inquire as to whether there is a chemistry class you could sit in on. Look at the course guide and email the instructor in advance of your visit. They usually appreciate your interest and make themselves available for questions. It also will give you a campus experience outside of the staged tours and presentations.</p>

<p>Have a look through this list, check out the courses they teach, and contact the one who seems to fit most closely with your intended academic interests.</p>

<p>[Faculty</a> & Office Hours | Middlebury](<a href=“Faculty and Staff | Middlebury College”>Faculty and Staff | Middlebury College)</p>

<p>I graduated last year with a major in molecular biology and biochemistry, and I would definitely try to meet with Roger Sandwick if you have the chance. He was my academic advisor and is one of the coolest people on campus. Rog is completely laid back and hilarious. I think he’d be a great professor to meet with if you get the chance. But, really, all of the professors are amazing, so you can’t really go wrong :)</p>

<p>also, if you want to sit in on a class, just grab a class schedule and show up. Feel free to introduce yourself to the prof before or after the class.</p>

<p>My D would like to do the same thing in physics and math. Can anyone recommend a professor for her? We did that last week at another school and it was so wonderful. Thanks!</p>

<p>I know less about these departments, but for math I’ve heard good things about Professor John Schmidt (I had him for a J-term course and he’s nice), as well as Professor Steve Abbott.</p>

<p>In terms of physics, Professor Wolfson is supposedly one of the best professors on campus. I had him for both of my semesters of physics, and there’s definitely a reason why I took both semesters with him :). He’s quite a character and super committed to teaching and his students. Physics, which I was afraid of, was actually rather enjoyable with him as a professor, which is why, I suppose, he’s regarded as one of the best. I’ve also heard good things about most of the physics department, though, so I think it would be hard to go wrong there.</p>

<p>I think Panthergrad09 gives good advice!</p>

<p>Physics is loaded with remarkable teachers: try to see Noah Graham, who just received tenure is outstanding. So is Frank Winkler, one of the most senior faculty members at Middlebury and also one of the most prolific scholars and committed teachers. Try to see Susan Watson, too.</p>

<p>As for Math, yes, John Schmidt is great (but may be on leave right now) and Steve Abbott is outstanding — See [Professor</a> who probes connection between mathematics and the humanities wins Perkins Award | Middlebury](<a href=“Middlebury News and Announcements”>Middlebury News and Announcements) which is a timely article just posted to the College’s website on Professor Abbott.</p>

<p>Do try to connect with these faculty: they are excellent and will give your daughter a good sesne of Middlebury’s commitment to undergraduate teaching.</p>

<p>First, let me say, that meeting with faculty is a great idea. When my son was looking we e-mailed the chairs of Physics and Math at schools we were going to be visiting. I was amazed at the fast and friendly responses we got. He didn’t always meet with the chair of the department but they did facilitate the process.</p>

<p>Thank you so much!! Can you tell me if Susan Watson is the dept. chair? If so, I think my D left a message for her on Thurs. but I know Midd has been on break this week. Her name sounds familiar.</p>

<p>Yes, Susan Watson is chair of Physics.</p>