<p>Hey guys. So I've just been accepted off the waitlist at Middlebury College, but I've SIR'd to Berkeley. I'm really torn. Any help?</p>
<p>Both are great schools ,in totally different environments . If you enjoy skiing ,Middlebury .If you like lots of action and a lot of ethnic culture ,plus the best weather anywhere ,Cal is the place -good luck !</p>
<p>Vermont ski slopes cannot hold a candle in front of downhill skiing in Sierra Nevada mountains (Lake Tahoe area is one) which is 2h30min drive from Berkeley with day trip ski buses to take you there. Cal Skiing & Snowboarding club has very low priced skiing trips which are even lower than the $100 ski bus trips (includes bus fare and lift ticket). 3000-4000 ft vertical drop is way more fun than the typical 1000ft drops in Northeast. Utah and Colorado have better skiing conditions than here in northern california. </p>
<p>But, then skiing shouldn’t be the decider :)</p>
<p>No one can help you on your decision if you do not mention what you consider important (including net cost of attendance and intended or possible major(s), as well as other characteristics of colleges that matter to you).</p>
<p>Berkeley for the prestige.</p>
<p>Middlebury for the prestige.</p>
<p>Berkeley if you like diversity (tons of Asians, Mexicans, Africans, etc.). Personally, I have thrived so much as a person here because of the friends I’ve made but I’m sure that would be the same at Middlebury? But that’s just my experience here at Berkeley. </p>
<p>I also love the city-like environment and always having something to do whether I’m with friends or alone. </p>
<p>My dreams are slowly coming true =)</p>
<p>I don’t think Middlebury is that prestigious, to be honest about it. It’s a good college, but certainly, not as prestigious as Berkeley.</p>
<p>I’ve lived on the East Coast my whole life. I think of Berkeley as a decent state school. Like UVA or UNC. That’s about it.</p>
<p>^ Well, what you - personally - think does not matter. What matters here is the opinion of the vast majority. And, the vast majority of people would think Berkeley is more prestigious than Middlebury. I haven’t even heard of it until I signed up on CC, lol…</p>
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<p>Nor does what you think–personally–matter. Who is the vast majority? The people who buy Harvard t-shirts in the Boston airport? Among those in the know (grad school admissions officers, elite employers, etc.), Midd holds its weight against any state school every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Sorry to deflate your bubble.</p>
<p>But I wasn’t saying what my opinion is. I was stating a fact. You - on the other hand - was stating your own personal, biased opinion. Can you spell the difference now?</p>
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<p>Back it up.</p>
<p>US News: Berkeley #21 National University; Middlebury #5 National Liberal Arts College
Forbes: Berkeley #70; Middlebury #20
College Pr@wler (academic rating): Berkeley A; Middlebury A+
Newsweek (Brainiacs–<a href=“http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/brainiacs.all.html):”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/brainiacs.all.html):</a> Berkeley NA; Middlebury 12
Wall Street Journal Top Feeder Schools: Berkeley 41; Middlebury 23</p>
<p>Shall I go on?</p>
<p>I don’t think its fair to compare two schools that are on many levels so dissimilar to one another. OP asked which college he/she should choose. If it was between two comparable schools, it may be easier. However, choosing between a large university with a global reputation in an urban setting with Division I sports with a smaller regional LAC in rural setting with seemingly excellent reputation of its own, would be a difficult choice. Two totally different settings, reputations aside. Maybe OP can do his/her undergraduate at Middlebury and graduate studies at Cal.</p>
<p>middlebury>berkeley? this is the funniest argument ever.</p>
<p>Middlebury is hardly a regional LAC. California is the third most represented state among the student body. </p>
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<p>Different strokes for different folks I guess.You couldn’t pay me to go to Berkeley.</p>
<p>arcadia - you’re comparing a public research university with a liberal arts college. that’s not very helpful when people do it anecdotally/with personal opinion but even less helpful when you do it with rankings.</p>
<p>There are so many other research-based rankings where Berkeley outranks Middlebury.
There’s a reason why U.S. News separates their rankings for liberal arts/national colleges, you know. Because you simply CANNOT compare them with rankings.</p>
<p>No, don’t go on.</p>
<p>Eloriel–everything I’ve posted has been a counter to other opinion-based posts. Obviously the OP is trying to compare two very different schools. You choose to call me out when there are plenty of other misleading or erroneous posts about in this thread. I’m just presenting some data to back up my claim that, among those who know colleges, Midd doesn’t play second fiddle to schools like Berkeley for an undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>Any bit of evidence can be useful when trying to decide between two schools. Not everyone thinks Berkeley is the better choice. In fact, check this out: <a href=“Compare Colleges: Side-by-side college comparisons | Parchment - College admissions predictions.”>Compare Colleges: Side-by-side college comparisons | Parchment - College admissions predictions.;
<p>No, don’t go on.</p>
<p>just look at the prior posts of the person you are all wasting time answering - seems to spend quite a bit of time trolling through other college boards advocating for Middlebury - inferiority complex or just wildly passionate about alma mater, doesn’t matter, as you will likely have any opinion or fact attacked if it doesn’t totally support middlebury.</p>
<p>I post about Middlebury because I know it better than any other college, unlike those of you who have zero experience with Midd but act like you know everything. I also try to back up my posts with links and data instead of hearsay and innuendo. Berkeley is a great school, but not for everybody.</p>
<p>And Rider, have you looked through your past posts lately? You do the same exact thing with Berkeley.</p>