<p>I know this comparison has been made countless times, but I have to choose between the two schools, and any opinions and personal insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I was all set to go to Middlebury, and I just got off the waitlist at Bowdoin, which was my tied first choice (with Middlebury). I'm now in love with Middlebury, and I doubt I would switch to Bowdoin, but I just wanted to know if, given my personal interests and goals, there are any reasons why I should consider it. I've done hours and hours of research on the two schools, so I guess I'm just looking for some opinions and personal insight.</p>
<p>I want to be pre-med, but my true interest is psychology, so I'll probably major neuroscience. Does either school have a more respected or superior neuroscience program? Will one or the other be better for medical school placement? I mean, all things equal, would a 3.80 neuroscience major from Middlebury do any better in medical school admissions than a 3.80 neuroscience major from Bowdoin, or vice versa?</p>
<p>One big reason I've come to have feelings for Middlebury over Bowdoin is the size--at first, I really liked Bowdoin's small size and thought it would be cool to have such a small, close community. After thinking about it for a while though, I feel like a student body that small could get kind of smothering after a few years. Midd's size seems small enough for that aspect of community and close-knit-ness, but large enough to be able to consistently meet new people. Does anyone have any affirmations or corrections of my interpretations of the sizes of the schools?</p>
<p>Lastly, and I know it's in bad taste to ask this, but does one have any more overall "prestige" or "reputation" than the other? I know that both are relatively unknown by laypeople, but is the name of either going to give you a step up in the real world? Or is one more well-known than the other? I would not make a decision based solely on this, but when it comes down to hairsplitting differences, I think it's fair to consider.</p>
<p>Hmmm. This is the Midd board, of course, but I have experience with both schools, tho I attended Bates(Bowdoin’s closest rival) and my sons are at Midd.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is closer to the ocean, so if you are into marine life/ecology, you will have more experience there. The Maine Coast is stunningly beautiful there, and you can shop at the flagship store for LLBean…Excellent Chowdah and seafood galor. Food at Bowdoin is better than Midd. Brunswick is comparable in size, and a little closer to Portland than Midd is to Burlington.
Midd has better access for skiing, if that is your recreation of choice, and the Mountains are stunningly beautiful there…shopping in town, not so much, but the farmer’s market has the best of Vermont every weekend.
The atmosphere at Bowdoin(IMHO) is more preppy and “old school” New England. Bowdoin did not become a coed institution until the 1970s, and it is very much old NE aristocracy. Midd was coed in the 1900s, so there is a longer egalitarian tradition, and institutional “memory”. Plenty of “preps” at both schools, but Midd feels more egalitarian and less tradition-bound.
Faculty/Prestige/Alumni Network/opportunities-I would say equal. If you are premed, Midd’s science facilities are newer.
If cost is a factor, go to the cheaper one.
You are lucky to have a choice, and in the end, can’t go wrong! Nice job!</p>
<p>I agree with OldbatsieDoc. My daughter applied to Bowdoin and Middlebury, Middlebury was her first choice (she was offered a spot on the waitlist at both, declined a spot on the waitlist at Bowdoin, accepted the spot on the Middlebury waitlist, and then never got into Middlebury). When offered a spot on the Bowdoin waitlist, she decided she did not want to go to Bowdoin under any circumstances. She too felt that Bowdoin felt too preppie and elitist, and Middlebury felt much more egalitarian and non-traditional. She ultimately wound up at Colby and is very happy, as it too feels very egalitarian and non-traditional to her. My opinion was that the facilities (especially the science center and the student union) felt much more modern and up to date at Middlebury than at Bowdoin. In all honesty, I am not sure I saw a better looking facilities than Middleburys at any school we visited while doing college tours. I remember being at campus at Bowdoin and thinking, “This place needs an updating so it looks more up to date, like Middlebury.” I also liked the fact that Middlebury was a bit larger than your average small liberal arts college. I live in California, and you are right–most lay people have never heard of Middlebury or Bowdoin, but then the same could be said for Pomona and Claremont McKenna. You just have to go with your gut. Having said all of that, Bowdoin is still one of my favorites because of it’s sense of history (Hawthorne, Longfellow, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, etc.), and it’s beautiful campus, though if I had to pick a favorite between Middlebury and Bowdoin, Middlebury would win for me.</p>
<p>I come from an outside perspective and do not know specifics about either college. However, I can say with some confidence that in my experience the name Middlebury is thrown around in circles discussing elite LACs more than Bowdoin. This really should not be important in discussing two institutions that seem roughly equal, but you asked :D</p>
<p>OBD, quick correction - Midd went coed in the 1880’s. </p>
<p>Nope, virtually no qualitative differences between the two schools. Both are great. There are some differences in particular departments, but I’m not aware of any glaring differences in neuroscience, with the possible exception of the facilities as discussed above. Seriously, can’t go wrong. </p>
<p>While there is virtually no difference between the two schools in terms of prestige, I would say that Midd has been trending upward, but honestly, they are viewed as equals (even though bowdoin is currently ranked a step or two lower/worse). Middlebury is better at sports.</p>
<p>As an aside, the Dean of Women, Elizabeth Kelly, who was interviewed for the article, was a dear friend of mine. My daughter is her namesake. After Elizabeth’s retirement in 1970, she continued to be an active member of the Middlebury College community for another twenty years, often hosting visiting VIPs. Kelly Hall is named in her honor. One of my regrets was not recording Elizabeth’s endless stories of students’ antics during her tenure as Dean and Dean Emeritus.</p>
<p>Catchfire does not have the option of going to Bowdoin and never did so you can all stop trying to make the Middlebury sale. She explained this on the Bowdoin thread – she misunderstood a letter from Bowdoin. Happens to the best of us from time to time . .</p>