In light of this Elizabeth Dunn controversy and the Charles Murray controversy, I was curious as to what effect people believe this will have on Middlebury. I was accepted ED2 to Middlebury College and I don’t care about prestige to the average person but I want my school to be able to open doors. I don’t want these recent controversies to undermine the stellar academic reputation of the school. I know they received the highest number of applications in history but the increase was still small in comparison to Bates and Bowdoin, two peer schools. Any thoughts?
Bates eliminated the supplemental essay and Bowdoin waived the application fee for all students applying for financial aid and first-generation college students (regardless of income). Those were the primary drivers for their increases in applications this year. Here’s what Dean of Admissions Greg Buckles had to say about it:
This^^^. I guess the latest thing in colleges is to attract insane numbers of applicants so you can reject a whole bunch of them. I don’t think many applicants have any knowledge of the above controversies, and I think they would minimal to no effect on the decision to apply. I(and my children who graduated and are both gainfully employed with their Midd degrees) am still a fan.
What controversy are you talking about @arcadia ?
I didn’t mention any controversies. The OP did.
@KJD2022 Isn’t it a bit late to be asking if it’s the school for you since you already applied and were accepted ED? That’s a binding commitment and while you could probably get out of it, it’s not a great thing to do especially if you’re doing it just because you’re second guessing the rep of the school (versus a true personal hardship, etc.).
And Midd’s rep is fine. A lot of colleges are having controversies like this. There’s zero evidence it’s affecting their rep in any material way.
I visited Middlebury last fall with D2. I took the opportunity to speak with students about the Charles Murray incident. While unfortunate and a learning experience, my takeaway was that the media hype was overblown. What I found more worrisome was an article I read in the school newspaper that day about how the federal government was looking to get involved. Anyhow, I wouldn’t let those incidents deter you in the slightest. It seemed to be a wonderful place and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a liberal arts college. D2 ended up applying elsewhere ED and was accepted so she never submitted her Middlebury app, but it was definitely on her list.
A lot of small LACS seem to be struggling with free speech and free ideas and seem to have a need, unlike U of Chicago for safe spaces. It’s a lovely campus, but its so in the boonies, and if they are having problems with allowing controversial speakers speak their mind, you wonder about the value of the education. Not a place I would want to be.
What an uncharitable crack! Obviously a hater, probably from someone who was rejected years ago…Of course free speech is valued and promoted. And I think “In the boonies” is unnecessarily negative. It’s a vibrant small town in Vermont, 1 hour from the small city of Burlington and 4 hours from Boston by car. Hardly “The Boonies!”. Both my sons went there, had excellent educations, and were gainfully employed in meaningful jobs after graduation.
“in the boonies” ???
Maybe “in the gorgeous countryside of Vermont” within half a day drive to a major city & just one hour to one of the best small cities in the country.
Visited Midd recently and have to say we were pleasantly surprised by the town, It’s really an adorable town with some cute eateries and shops and grocery stores and drug stores to keep students dorm rooms stocked. yes, it’s a very small town, but imo not worthy of the ‘remote’ or boonies’ moniker. Plus the college seems to make it easy to get into Burlington on weekends with shuttles and lots of kids have cars on campus. And if you like to ski or participate in other winter activities, the location is fabulous. Of course, it you want an urban campus, not for you, but all in all, a pretty good location for a LAC!
Less. Montreal is only a 2.5 hr drive. And the drinking age is 18. Not that I’m advocating alcohol consumption. Just sayin’