Based on many CC posts, Middlebury takes the holistic assessment of their candidates very seriously, and student writing is one of the important elements. However, in their application instructions, they do not mention any writing other than the common/coalition application essay, no supplements like “Why Middlebury?” - nothing really. They seemed to be required about 15 years ago, according to old posts here.
So my questions are:
Is there something in the application materials I overlooked?
Do people submit additional Middlebury-specific essays as part of supplemental materials package?
We felt that Midd having no supplemental essays was a disadvantage for S19. He showed as much interest as possible. Emailed with his AO a few times, had a two hour alumni interview. He got into Bowdoin, Hamilton, Davidson, Carleton and more RD but was waitlisted at Midd. Our guidance counselor told us that, had he gone ED, he would have likely gotten in. I don’t know what else he could have done. We didn’t visit. We are in the midwest, he had a long list and we couldn’t get to all schools. I don’t know why Midd doesn’t have a supplement!
@homerdog
Thank you, my fellow midwesterner So indeed, no supplement.
Would a love letter to Middlebury submitted as a supplemental material be a reasonable tactics, based on your vast experience on CC, or would that be an overkill?
Actually, the love letter would be quite honest - D21 is fluent in 3 foreign languages and interested in IR.
I wouldn’t submit anything they don’t ask for. What you could do, though, is ask your recommenders to highlight things that look good to Midd. That could help.
@ArtsyKidDad given your CC handle, I thought you might be interested in my artsy D’s experience applying to Midd last year. She applied ED1, was deferred, then accepted RD. D did not submit anything extra with her ED application, but ended up submitting an art portfolio after she was deferred. (She isn’t planning on being a fine arts major, so was resistant to submitting her work when she applied ED.) Her acceptance letter included a handwritten note from the AO saying how much she enjoyed looking at ED’s art. Ultimately, D decided to attend a different SLAC, another reach school, and I think submitting her portfolio helped her at many schools. Good luck.
Just fyi, S19 also submitted a portfolio - drawings and paintings. He won Scholastic Art Awards and one of his pieces was chosen for an exhibit at University of Chicago too. Still waitlisted at Midd!
Thank you, @gotham_mom
My daughter will certainly submit her portfolio to any college that encourages it, although it will be focused on her music/vocal performance; while not her intended major, music is such a large part of her identity and ECs that not doing it would be inconceivable. @homerdog That you for the YMMV warning. We will cast the net wide, just like you guys did.
@ArtsyKidDad Is she considering Williams? They have a fantastic music program for majors and non-majors alike, including free music lessons for all students.
FWIW, Williams and Amherst don’t have ED2, so they have more room for RD applicants than many SLACs that take as much as 50% of their class between ED1 and ED2.
I can’t speak to this directly, I’m afraid @MWolf . But to @ArtsyKidDad , I’d make sure you visit when this becomes possible, and get the supplementary materials to Admissions. The key for Midd as ever is explaining why Midd is a great fit for the candidate and vice versa - too many in interviews do the former but not the latter.
With everything being so uncertain with C-19, I’d throw the metaphorical kitchen sink at it - portfolios, letters of rec, writing samples. And as has been said here ad infinitum, the best way of demonstrating to Midd that you’re all-in for Midd is to apply ED1. If I were assembling a class starting in Sept 2021, I’d be looking to rely at ED1 at least as heavily as recent years, if not more so. ED1 is the most powerful statement of intent you have - if you really mean it, use it.
@“Contented Panther”
So nice of you to reply with a good piece of advice. We will see Middlebury in person soon unless the C-19 situation becomes even trickier within a week. Of course, we realize it will be just walking the grounds but we did the same at Lewis and Clark and Reed, and it was great - it gave us the part missing from the online experience.
Yes, it will be a truly nerve-wracking decision this year, where to apply ED/ED1. The vision of extra nervous AOs trying to get as many good kids as possible as early as possible rings true.
But with college finances crumbling everywhere except at the top, would it be wise to take the only shot at the institution that is not super-solid money-wise? While we have quite a bit of money in 529, we are not in the position to pay $72k/year…
@artsykiddad - you’re most welcome, I’m glad it was helpful.
Walking the grounds at Midd is lovely - even in November’s rain! Make sure you look both east (Green Mtns) and west ('daks) from various points on the ridge that Midd sits on - I’d choose the football stadium looking east, Mead Chapel looking east and up by BiHall looking west - a feast for the senses. Also make sure you ride/run/drive along Cider Mill Road to see the campus from a different angle, and it you have time, take the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) up to Chipman Hill to see the town and the College laid out before you (again, looking west).
I’d (vigorously) contest that Midd is not “super-solid money-wise”: when your endowment is north of $1bn and you could therefore run without a cent in tuition for several more years than an incoming student will attend for, I’d not be worried - Middlebury isn’t going bust anytime soon. There’s a difference between not having the endowment/student of Williams and being about to go bust - Midd will be just fine.
@Contented Panther
Love creates such great writing, thank you for your mini-guidebook!
Does Middlebury offer “financial early read,” i.e. if I send them some numbers, will the FA office be willing to tell me what we can count on? We operate a tiny 2-person Corp S so the typical calculators could be deceiving.
@ArtsyKidDad - too kind, but whilst not uncritical, I’m never going to be accussed of being unbiased about the place!
I’m not sure on the FA point. I’d email or call Student Financial Services (which includes Financial Aid) and ask to have a chat - their details are here:
Student Financial Services
Service Building
84 South Service Road
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
P: 802.443.5158
F: 802.443.2065 SFS@middlebury.edu
@“Contented Panther”
We physically visited Middlebury last week - well, drove through its campus on every possible route, took some walks, and we certainly share your appreciation of its beauty.
Also, we were pleasantly surprised that there are 3 direct daily flights to/from Chicago - even now! from Burlington.
We also saw Williams, Mt. Holyoke, attempted to see the taped-put Wellesley campus, and nothing seemed to compare to Middlebury. Thanks again!
So indeed, no supplement.