<p>I've been accepted into Middlebury and Hamilton, and they are my top choices. I used to think I liked Middlbury best, but after visiting, I'm not so sure. I love Middlebury's programs, especially its strength in languages and the summer language houses. The facilities were beautiful and the professors seemed very helpful and friendly. I really liked Middlebury, then I saw the students. Most of them seemed to fit the same mold: preppy and athletic. Since I'm not athletic at all (don't ski etc.) I began to worry how I'd fit in there. On the other hand, the students at Hamilton had seemed really friendly with more varied interests. I know Hamilton doesn't have the reputation of Middlebury (or the strength in languages), but since I want to attend law school and not enter the workforce right after undergrad, I'm not sure how much the prestige really matters.
It's not like I spent a long time on both campuses, and I realize I probably only got a brief glimpse of what the colleges are like. So I want to ask those who have visited both colleges (or are a student at either): What are the pros and cons of Hamilton and Middlebury? What are the students really like?</p>
<p>I loved Middlebury, for many of the reasons you mentioned.</p>
<p>A dislike for wealthy WASPs is classist and racist, you know.</p>
<p>When I visited campus, I noticed the “whiteness” and “athleticism” of the campus too, but everyone was warm and friendly to me, and every guy and gal I passed made eye-contact with me and smiled. Trust me, you won’t get that at Harvard or Amherst… I wasn’t troubled by the apparent homogeneity of the campus because, I mean, people from different social classes and skin colors don’t make me uncomfortable. Even if you don’t fit the “typical mold,” I’m sure that if you open up and be friendly, everyone will react very positively to you and you’ll be accepted as a part of their vibrant and lively student body.</p>
<p>Middlebury is more outdoorsy than athletic, I would say, and I’m of the opinion that Middlebury is a stronger school, overall, in terms of instruction quality, campus aesthetics, student quality of life, etc.</p>
<p>Choose Midd; you’ll have no regrets.</p>
<p>I would say Middlebury not only because it’s my dream college, but it seems very open-minded. Students there seem friendly, active, and smart. It’s a beautiful campus and all. I’m far from being a preppy, athletic WASP but a lot of people like that can be really nice when you get to know them. </p>
<p>On the other hand I haven’t heard the best things about Hamilton. A friend of mine who goes there tells me about how un-diverse it is and there is a lot of racism and xenophobia among students. </p>
<p>If I were in your position, I’d choose Middlebury without hesitation.</p>
<p>Of course Middlebury!!! I would choose without a blink!!!
Many students are dying to get into Middlebury this year you know…</p>
<p>Thanks you guys.</p>
<p>Rereading my post, I think it was poorly written and gave the wrong impression. It wasn’t the “whiteness” of Middlebury that I noticed, only that a lot of the people seemed to dress the same and were into fitness and such. That’s not a bad thing by any means, I was just wondering if someone who wasn’t as outdoorsy (more into theatre, music, art, etc) would find other people with common interests. </p>
<p>I also didn’t mean to imply that the students at Middlebury weren’t friendly because they were. The students at Hamilton just seemed extremely friendly. All the students came over to talk to me when I sat in on a class, and another student walked with me for a bit throughout the campus, just asking me about myself, answering questions about the school, etc. It was seriously the most friendly school I have ever visited. (Though it’s definitely disturbing to hear that there is racism among the students.)</p>
<p>Thanks again for your advice. I do like Middlebury, and from what you guys have told me, it sounds like an amazing and accepting community.</p>
<p>Middlebury is Stepford, Claire. And they call their library “The Death Star.” Enter the Language Houses at your peril. Be afraid, Claire, be very afraid! Aiieeeeee…</p>