<p>How would you compare these schools
A. academically
B. life-style wise?</p>
<p>Thanks bunches!</p>
<p>Where to start! First there is the coed vs. women's college. Then there is location difference. Then there is the preppy-ness with Wellesley being the most so, next Middlebury then Bowdoin. Midd and Bowdoin are most similar. All are extremely competitive.</p>
<p>Well, I've read some of your posts. You seem unsure of where you "belong."</p>
<p>All I can say is..."Wherever you go.....there you are."</p>
<p>My bias is for Bowdoin. My dad went to Yale and mom to Bowdoin. Even my dad admits his preference for Bowdoin. Both of my parents have devoted their lives to service (Peace Corps, etc.) and have shunned the big bucks, and they were very supportive and listened carefully to my future plans. </p>
<p>I checked out Midd, I did not consider Wellesley becasue I want a co-ed experience. Midd is very similar to Bowdoin, but too far from a major (or minor) city. Bowdoin is close to Portland, which is one of the coolest places I've seen. (A little Boston!)</p>
<p>Good luck to you and I hope you find happiness.....</p>
<p>I'm def an idealist, so I think like your parents, Bowdoin would be a good fit for me from that perspective. I'm mostly just looking for info about the schools not because I don't know what I want (I do), but because I don't currently know much about the schools beyond Barron's college guide. Thanks though. I think I would love Bowdoin if accepted, just the fact that on their very first web-page they say they seek people with a love of nature, art, and the desire to commit to the common good...</p>
<p>A close relative of mine who went to Middlebury (instead of Bowdoin) deeply regretted that decision. Middlebury is much more isolated than Bowdoin and the town of Middlebury makes Brunswick look like a megalopolis. And of course there is no city like Portland within a reasonable distance of Middlebury. The campus that looks so pretty in the summer and the fall is a bleak and lonely place in the winter . .</p>
<p>I'm actually from a town of 9,000 myself, so I don't think that's the end of the world even if it's not a preference. What did your friend think of Middlebury's academics?</p>
<p>The sense of isolation at Middlebury (and the negative mind set that goes along with it) was pretty overwhelming even though he too was from a small town. The academics were o.k. but not spectacular. And remember that his impressions are subjective although I did meet some of his friends both during their college years and a few years later and they were not enthusiastic about Middlebury either.</p>
<p>Hi Ecape,
I agree with what other posters have said about the 3 colleges. My daughter graduated from Bowdoin several years ago & loved it! She had a very positive & wonderful experience there. The academics are challenging, she had good relationships with her professors, the food is top-notch & she loved the campus, Brunswick & surroundings. She joined the Outing Club but only did a few things with them. Although the outdoors is beautiful & there are endless opportunities for outdoor sports & adventures, such as skiing, canoing, hiking, etc, it is definitely not necessary to be an outdoors fanatic to enjoy & appreciate Bowdoin. You don't feel like you are isolated at Bowdoin because Brunswick's population is about 20,000. Bowdoin is about 15 - 20 minutes from Freeport & 30 minutes from Portland, a great city with an art museum, indoor farmer's market, restaurants, bars & clubs, & waterfront. Brunswick is right on the ocean & about 1 1/2 hours from the nearest ski resort. My daughter was home over Christmas & we visited Bowdoin & the area for 2 days. She needed to get her Bowdoin/Maine fix!!</p>
<p>We visited Middlebury when she was college-hunting & she decided not to apply there because it felt too isolated & rural. Middlebury, Vt is very small (population about 8,000 or 9,000) & is not close to any minor or major city. I agree with the above poster who stated that it can be depressing in the dead of winter.</p>
<p>We live not too far from Wellesley College. It is a beautiful campus & is known for its excellent academics. It is also close to Boston, a fabulous city, but my daughters weren't interested in an all women's college.</p>
<p>Hope this is of help to you.</p>
<p>Have any of you heard of Burlington, Vermont? Guess not...</p>
<p>my same sentiments exactly....population of 40k. Frankly I think Middlebury's campus is a heck of alot nicer than Bowdoin's...you actually HAVE winter in VT</p>
<p>The fact that Burlington is cited as a nearby sophisticated urban place speaks volumes as to just how isolated Middlebury really is!</p>
<p>Have you even BEEN to Burlington (or Middlebury for that matter)? </p>
<p>Look at #3 on this list. Then look at #11 (and read the description of Burlington). Bowdoin is on there too, but you'll need to flip back to #16.</p>
<p>I've been to both Burlington and Middlebury many times and in various seasons. Burlington may be a good place to raise a family, etc., but it can be a tad on the gloomy side too. I would say that Portland is a larger and a more diverse and interesting city than Burlington and that it's not much of a contest . .But that's just my opinion, which is of course subjective!</p>
<p>I've been to both Middlebury & Bowdoin and to both Portland & Burlington. If I remember correctly, Burlington is an hour from Middlebury, so Portland is closer to Bowdoin than Burlington is to Middlebury. That made a difference for my daughter. She definitely felt that Middlebury was more isolated. I also have a niece who goes to school in Burlington & in her opinion, Burlington is too cold & too wintery. Everyone has their own opinions, & I gave my opinion & my daughter's opinion based on visits to both colleges & to both cities. I think Burlington is a nice city, but personally, I prefer Portland over Burlington but that is just my own personal preference.</p>
<p>I hope the original poster has the opportunity to visit all 3 colleges.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is 25 miles north of Portland and 120 miles north of Boston. Middlebury is 35 miles south of Burlington and 130 miles south of Montreal.</p>
<p>"miles" in semi-rural new england don't always mean that much. it depends if youre on an interstate highway or windy backroads.</p>
<p>What does it matter which of those two small towns has a bit more to offer if you are a student without a car? Going by bus to one of those communities for a day trip during the winter to me would be geographically undesireable. For me which ever campus offered more school spirit, love of campus and friends,and activities is more important. Most of the lacs that I have visited and investigated are in tiny towns. Unless I decide to go to and get accepted at a Haverford near an urban area all of my choices are rural. From my research most kids stay on campus and only go to the nearest cities on rare occasions. I'd be thrilled to be accepted at either Bowdoin or Middlebury if I got thermal underwear in my acceptance package.</p>
<p>You must be an old-timer. Many students at both Bowdoin and Middlebury have cars these days and are highly mobile. Anyway, the original question was about choosing between three different schools and and identifying the distinctions among them.</p>
<p>I'm 17 and not an old-timer. Also my parents will be paying 100% of the costs and won't have spare change to buy me a car.</p>
<p>My response was consistent with posts above mine.</p>
<p>I agree with torasee that many college students nowadays do have cars. Maybe not Freshman year but many do by sophomore year. Also, the poster wanted to know the difference between these 3 colleges, & I believe one important difference is that Middlebury is more rural & isolated than Brunswick. When you leave the Bowdoin campus, you are immediately on Maine Street, which is full of great restaurants (ethnic, seafood, delis, etc.), coffee shops, interesting stores, a movie theater & ice cream shop. These are all within WALKING DISTANCE. A 5-minute car ride away is Cook's Corner, with more restaurants, stores, theaters & a bookstore. Brunswick is larger than Middlebury & has more to offer, which I think makes a difference. In addition, with Bowdoin's close proximity to Freeport & Portland, Bowdoin definitely is not as rural & isolated as Middlebury. There is nothing wrong with rural, if that is what a student wants, but it is not for everyone. I know my daughter felt this was a big difference between Bowdoin & Middlebury & an important difference for her.</p>
<p>Bowdoin has great school spirit & tons of things to do on campus, and I'm sure that Middlebury does as well. However, after putting two children through college, trust me, many college students, during their 4 years, appreciate the opportunities to leave campus for entertainment, other activities, etc.</p>