What’s up guys. So Middlebury is at the top of my college list right now, but I seriously would have liked to enroll during September, like most do. Unfortunately, I was picked among 5% of students to be a part of the Middlebury “Feb” class, where I begin school in February of 2021 and graduate in February 2025.
I am interested in finance and medicine. I also don’t have anything planned out to do during my gap between now and next February. However, I’m most worried about the social problems coming a semester late will bring. Most Midd kids will already have formed their friend groups, and I feel like would not be as receptive to Feb kids, as much as they might say they are. And, while I know it is supposed to be easier to develop friendships with the other 100 Feb kids, I would rather know that I will be a fully integrated member of campus from the time I get there to the time I graduate.
@aughhh yes but I would also like some information from people unaffiliated with Middlebury. I have the basic info about the program down, just want some insight from anyone who has knowledge/experience about it, not from the perspective of the school (bc ofcourse the feedback will be good coming from them)
Generally, I’d say school first, admission date (and associated social considerations) second. I agree that it’s less than ideal that Middlebury doesn’t appear to support alternative academic options for your fall semester and that you would be out your anticipated graduation sequence. However, these aspects could be meliorated through an extensive reading list. If you are decisive in your preference for Middlebury in general, then strongly consider accepting its offer.
I know many Febs. They all loved it and had no trouble forming close friendships. By the way, it’s highly unlikely anyone at any college is going back to campus in the fall. So there’s that.
My advice: go to Middlebury and, if the late grad date really bothers you, then either before or during your time there, take a few extra credits to graduate on time. I had the option of a second-semester admission back in the day (not at Middlebury) and didn’t take it because of similar concerns. When I saw how easily the second-semester admits blended right in at the school I ultimately chose, I regretted not having at least seriously considered the option myself. If this is your first choice school, congratulations – you’ve been offered a much-coveted spot. Take it!
With all problems with coronavirus right now , sadly, I don’t think that Colleges in fall, can start academic year at 100%.
Is amazing that you can start college in February.
Not Middlebury, in fact university in another country, but personally I loved being a second semester admit back in the day. Loved being with my small cohort, loved that the weather turned so nice so quickly and we could spend so much time outside, loved so many of my classmates had interesting experiences to talk about what they had done in their gap semester. After a few semesters, you couldn’t tell anymore who had been admitted when.
I appreciate that it’s hard to make plans for a semester off these days, but trust me, it’s harder to make them for a semester on. If the worst comes to the worst and you can shelter at your parents house without going insane, that’s what you’ll have to do. Anticipate disruption until at least the end of the calendar year. Accept the place, and don’t look back.
@ns10909 - firstly congratulations on getting in - thousands will be jealous of you: well done!
I was a Sept admit, but have a bunch of friends who were Febs. The honest answer is that when you graduate is basically up to you - if you were to take classes this fall somewhere else (and many of my Feb friends went to University of East Anglia in England on a quasi-orgranised basis, though with C-19 who knows what is going to happen) then you would graduate with your class in May 2024. Similarly, you could make up the four classes over the course of your sophmore and junior years or in summer school and achieve the same result.
But graduating by skiing down the hill is also pretty special, it must be said.