Hi everyone,
I’m a rising senior and I have to submit my ED supplement to my college counseled by before Labor Day, but as of now, I have no clue where i want to apply.
I’ve narrowed things down to Middlebury and Tufts (and maybe Brown if I get my score above 2270), but I’m having a really hard time deciding between the two.
I like Tufts a lot because it is near a major city(which is a major plus for me) whereas Midd is practically in the middle of nowhere. Also Tufts is larger than Midd, which I like. Midd, though, is stronger in English, which I intend to study, and is just considered to be a more prestigious school. Part of my family is a major legacy at Midd, and it would make my dad happy if I went there too.
I visited both schools during the summer, so I’m taking those visits with a grain of salt since I didn’t see any students, but both campuses are beautiful–maybe Midd a bit more so. My question is what is the general student vibe at both schools and do the students seem happy to be there?
I would not say that Middlebury is considered the more prestigious school at all. Tufts is going to be a lot more well-known, is slightly more selective, and has higher average stats for their incoming classes. Tufts has a very strong English program, too. Not to rag on Midd; of course it’s a fantastic LAC.
Middlebury has all kinds but I would say there’s going to be more preppiness, drinking, and athleticism/extroversion. I would say Tufts students are a bit more vocally liberal, quirkier, maybe a little more introverted than their peers at Middlebury.
I had a friend who was in your exact same position last year, down to the legacy and everything. She liked Tufts more but did ED to Midd to please her dad. She’s happy with her choice but I can’t help but wonder if she would have been happier going somewhere she wanted to go, not somewhere her father wanted her to go. Make sure you make this decision independently.
As you noted, these are very different colleges. You should really decide where you would rather live for four years (urban vs. rural, mountains vs. city, etc.). Both are fantastic schools so you can rest assured you’ll get a great edu from either.
While I might agree with your assertions regarding the differences between Middlebury and Tufts, and traditionally, that is how the two have been viewed, there is virtually no distinction between the two in terms of prestige for the Average Joe. Personally, I can’t stand Tufts’s campus, but there are plenty of others who would feel the exact opposite. You have to go where you will be happy. That is where you’ll succeed.
If you are this torn and uncertain, why are you even considering applying ED? Take your time visiting the two schools (and lots of others) while they’re in session, apply to all that appeal to you, and make your decision when you have acceptances in hand.
“Midd is practically in the middle of nowhere”
That’s either part of its appeal or a reason to look elsewhere.
I agree with Urbanslaughter regarding Tufts’ campus. I am not a fan of Tufts’ bland, non-descript campus. I much prefer nearby Boston College or Wellesley, both of which have much nicer campuses. Of course, that doesn’t diminish the academics. Just an aesthetic note.
I mean, this kid already said he liked both campuses. Talking about how you personally don’t like Tufts’ isn’t super helpful.
To me, it sounds like you like Tufts more but won’t let go of Midd because you don’t want to disappoint Dad. Is this the case? Maybe ED is not for you.
Does anyone else think it is weird that OP’s GC is requiring an ED supplement/decision by Labor Day? This fall will be the time to sort out an ED preference (let alone an ED decision at all) especially since you haven’t even visited either campus with students present. I think Tufts/Middlebury are such different schools I don’t even know where to begin! Other than the fact that they are both excellent schools of course. The two schools have a very different vibe and strike me as schools where a student who is super happy at one would not necessarily be equally so at the other- seems like students who are drawn to one aren’t necessarily drawn to the other. Brown on the other hand, now I can see Brown fitting very similarly to Tufts in so many ways.
OP if it really has come down to Tufts/Midd can you request an extension from your GC so that you can revisit and hopefully attend classes etc. if possible? And possibly throw in a trip to Brown as well? Don’t get me wrong, I love Midd (DD starts in 2 weeks!), but it would be a shame for you to choose Middlebury to please a parent if your heart lies somewhere else. Visiting this fall might help with your decision, and those visits might possibly help your dad as well if in fact your preference falls to Tufts/Brown over Middlebury. Good luck!
I agree with others who think you really don’t know enough to be able to choose one of these schools for ED. If you’re asking about the general student vibe, that tells me you shouldn’t be making the choice yet. Don’t let your school counselor force you into choosing prematurely. And don’t make a choice just to make your parents happy that you are attending their alma mater. This is going to be four years of your life; gather as much info as possible before you make a choice.