<p>I got into both these schools RD, and they are my top two choices.
I’m interested on people’s opinions between the two schools (regarding the students, social atmosphere, academics, etc)</p>
<p>congratulations…i would say visit both if you can and choose based on gut. they both have high retention rates, so you’ll have a lot of fans of each school likely to claim it’s better than the other. they’re pretty much equally matched across all levels of measure. if you’re deciding based on academic concentration middlebury is especially good in languages, bowdoin in government/polisci, and they both tend to fund their sciences very well and have excellent facilities. middlebury is isolated and in the mountains and more proximal to the outdoors. bowdoin is new england suburban, on the maine coast, and more proximal to I-95. i think the students at each school are similar, but the schools have different vibes that are best felt in person instead of read about online. i know it’s not always feasible to visit, but if you can, try. there’s nothing better than first hand experience.</p>
<p>What are you planning to major in?</p>
<p>Actually, pb, Middlebury is not known for its strength in the sciences whereas Bowdoin is, especially in the premed area.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is definitely a gov school, although there are a decent number of pre-meds. I agree that you should visit both. Location wise, Bowdoin might be a bit better because we have a bus line that frequents the school all throughout the year and stops at the other Maine schools (Bates and Colby) and there are shuttles to the outlet stores in Freeport for $3. Also, you are just 2.5 hours from Boston and many students go for the weekend.</p>
<p>Middlebury does have the nicest science facilities of any LAC I have seen. My daughter has been doing research since freshman year and does it each summer.</p>
<p>Middlebury is significantly larger in that it is 2500 students as opposed to 17 at Bowdoin. Agree, the science facilities at middlebury are outstanding, showing their commitment to providing amazing opportunities to their students.</p>
<p>If you like to ski, Midd has its own mountain.</p>
<p>Bowdoin has a great outing club, actually largest club there I believe. great outdoor activities organized all the time. Bowdoin also has more of a town in Brunswick, While Middlebury is a bit more rural.</p>
<p>You really can not make a bad hoice, it really is where you feel more comfortable. I would recommend seeing both , they are about 3.5 hours from ea other.</p>
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<p>Middlebury has been pouring money into the sciences ever since ground was broken on Bicentennial Hall. Anyone who has visited Middlebury in the past five years will see clear evidence of its commitment to the sciences in the number of science faculty hired, the equipment purchased, and the number of hard science majors.</p>
<p>yeah, i didn’t mean what they are known for but what resources are available to students at each college in the sciences. middlebury’s new facilities were what i was contemplating when i said they were on par. bowdoin, your right, does have a long tradition of being strong in the sciences, particularly chemistry, and is great at premed.</p>
<p>Middlebury was my TOP choice … I applied there early, got deferred, and then got rejected in RD. I’m pretty bummed about it … but I got wait listed at Bowdoin. Do you think that I could be equally as happy at Bowdoin? </p>
<p>What are some things you think I would or would not find at Bowdoin that are positive/negative at Middlebury?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I am planning on majoring in social sciences (probably government/poli sci)</p>
<p>…then you should go to Bowdoin. It has one of the most well-respected government/political science programs in the nation, and is arguably the best (or at least top 3) in these areas out of all the liberal arts colleges in the US.</p>
<p>Bowdoin does have a stellar gov/poly science dept.!</p>
<p>Bowdoin’s government program was rated as the top government program for any small or liberal arts college by the London School of Economics. As a current student and prospective government major, I can tell you that Bowdoin is very committed to its program. For example, Chris Hill, Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Iraq, visited campus today (he’s an alumnus) to speak to students. The Bowdoin Career center organized an event for a small number of government majors to meet privately with Hill to learn from him. Other social sciences are particularly strong as well. </p>
<p>If you’re stuck between Bowdoin and Midd, go with Bowdoin. Obviously, I’m a bit biased, but based on your area of academic interest, Bowdoin is definitely the right choice for you.</p>
<p>Besides, Bowdoin is ranked second on Princeton Review for best food. I think Middlebury might have made the top 20…</p>
<p>any noticeable differences in the student body/community at either college?</p>
<p>Since I transferred to Middlebury from Bowdoin, I can directly compare the two colleges. (I’m a political science major, too)
- Middlebury is way more diverse than Bowdoin.
- Middlebury has more beautiful and georgous campus and buldings.
- Middlebury students have a much higher sense of ethics due to the honor code.
- The academics at Middlebury are better and more engaging.
- There is much more to do socially as Middlebury brings in good culture options and the night life was more fun.
(This is from my personal perspective only)</p>
<p>About Middlebury, from my own perspective, I would say:
- Professors: Professors here are top-notch and dedicated to teaching. Even in lecture classes, the professors still try to get to know students individually and accommodate each one’s need. Almost every day after class, my professors stay to answer our extra questions, and they would invite us to lunch so that we could discuss more about it. My biology professor even stays after his office hours explaining everything. Once, it became so late, the building must close, he even followed my to my dorm common rooms to finish the teaching!
- Classes: Classes here are all challenging and stimulating. You’ll have a heavy workload in every class, but you’ll love it much!
- Dorms: Of all the three colleges, I would say Middlebury has the most gorgerous buildings and dorms.
- Foods: Foods on campus are really delicious and more importantly, very fresh. The fresh meats and vegetables come from the local farm. We also have our milk delivered from our own farm downtown.
- Volunteer opportunities: Students here are very reponsible, active, and engaging, so volunteer is definitely one of the most important extracurricular activities here, at Middlebury.
- Outdoor adventures: Midddlebury is in-between the Adirondack and Green Mountain ranges so there are definitely a bunch of awesome outdoors opportunities–hiking, kayaking, ice climbing, etc.
- Academic advising: Yes, we do have academic counselors and especially many pre-professional and advising programs for juniors and seniors.
- Partying: It depends. There are people on campus who party every weekend. But if you don’t like parties, then you’re not alone–there lots of other people out there who never go to any party. No problem at all.
- Student body: The student body here is ethnically and socially diverse (which is completely different from Bowdoin). You can meet any type of people on campus. But in general, Middlebury is an incredibly friendly and active community. We work hard & play hard, btw.</p>
<p>My advice, after all, is that you should visit the campuses before making your decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>Apple Orange–Would you be willing to share your reason(s) for transferring?</p>
<p>if you transferred from bowdoin to middlebury than obviously you didn’t like bowdoin and like middlebury more.</p>
<p>everything you say is hilarious. “our foods are very fresh and local”? i think amherst, williams, middlebury, and bowdoin all have pretty fresh food and definitely a lot of local stuff too. bowdoin has also won #1 food in the nation 3 times on top of that</p>
<p>everything you say about volunteers, professors, classes, academic advising is pretty much a blanket statement that can be made about any school. which campus doesn’t have active volunteers? middlebury isn’t even really known for that; oberlin is a school more famous for student activism. and because midd is so big, i think the amount of personal attention you describe (which again is similar in comparable nescacs under the top 6-8 in rankings) is more at bowdoin because its a smaller school. </p>
<p>bowdoin’s career services are much more personal than midd. middlebury is too big and they have a huge disoriented alumni network because you can be an alum even if you go to one summer of language school so the quality definitely goes downhill.</p>
<p>middlebury does have huge facilities and nice ones. the campus is pretty, though some people dislike how big it is and in the winter it can be depressing. (williams is just the opposite- too small, kind of an uncomfortable feel). bowdoin’s is in between</p>
<p>middlebury’s student body isn’t more diverse, it’s just larger. </p>
<ol>
<li>“middlebury students have a much higher sense of ethics due to the honor code” EVERY school has an honor code. Community colleges have honor codes…</li>
</ol>
<p>honestly…i don’t think bowdoin is all that better than midd or anything. but the stuff you say is pretty hilarious and…wrong</p>
<p>cilyboi- are you going to Bowdoin/do you go to bowdoin? I have to agree with you, but every single post on this thread is biased, becaues the thread title essentially asks for people’s biases. Biases, not incorrect and slanted data, as you have pointed out. Good call. And I’d say Bowdoin for sure over Middlebury. I’ve visited both and I feel like Bowoind has a better community, but to each his/her own</p>