<p>These are my top 3 choices of those that I was accepted to - Middlebury as a Feb, and Colby as a Presidential Scholar and I was wondering if anyone had knowledge of the comparative quality of the Education Departments in these schools, as well as the accessibility of the faculty in general. Also what are the fun social life opportunities for people who are non-drinkers at these schools? I'll be visiting them all this month! Thank you!!!!</p>
<p>Like most education programs at small LACs, you major in another field but also take courses and student teach to get your certificate.
Son’s friend majoring in English, but planning on teaching. Comes from a family of public school teachers, and loves Midd(don’t we all…)
Colby is one of the few schools more remote than Midd! it’s a good school and the students are happy. It is somewhat less selective(not a lot)and the facilities aren’t quite as nice. The endowment is smaller, and the alumni network smaller. These are all minor points, of course, so I would visit if you haven’t and decide from there.
Brandeis is more a commuter school, city environment, and also a great school but not the same model as the NE LAC.
For the drinking thing, there is plenty to do at both schools without drinking-outdoor activities, clubs, politics, club sports…
You are a very lucky young lady(?) Congrats and wherever you go, I’m sure you’ll meet those goals.</p>
<p>OldBatesie: - </p>
<p>I have known a couple dozen Brandeis students, alums and faculty members over the course of my adult life, and I have visited Brandeis with 2 of my kids. I do not know of anything about Brandeis that could remotely qualify it as a ‘commuter school’. </p>
<p>It is true that Brandeis does not offer guaranteed four-years of dorm life, and some upperclass students live in apartments in Waltham. However, this is not what is commonly meant by ‘commuter school’. By this measure, Cornell University and the University of Chicago would equally be ‘commuter schools’. </p>
<p>You are completely mistaken about this.</p>
<p>Sorry memake. The people I knew at Brandeis generally went home on the weekends. That’s what I meant by “more” of a commuter school. I expressed myself poorly.</p>
<p>My d graduated from Brandeis and neither she, nor anyone she knew regularly went home on weekends.</p>
<p>While the numbers aren’t radically different, according to .eduinreview, on average, one in five Brandeis students go home (or somewhere else) on weekends. At Middlebury, 98% of students remain on weekends.</p>
<p>[Brandeis</a> University | Waltham, Massachusetts | Tuition: $34035](<a href=“http://www.eduinreview.com/school-search/colleges/brandeis-university]Brandeis”>http://www.eduinreview.com/school-search/colleges/brandeis-university)</p>
<p>[Middlebury</a> College | Middlebury, Vermont](<a href=“http://www.eduinreview.com/school-search/colleges/middlebury-college/]Middlebury”>http://www.eduinreview.com/school-search/colleges/middlebury-college/)</p>
<p>This could be attributed to the fact that Brandeis is much closer to a large city and its suburbs.</p>
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<p>And the other 2% is visiting Montreal.</p>
<p>back on topic, I think you’ll find little difference in the academic quality of Midd and Colby. Both are very good schools. As OBD already pointed out, Midd is SLIGHTLY more prestigious, and may have SLIGHTLY better facilities. I simply do not know enough about Brandeis to express any opinions (although I’ve always PERCEIVED it as being a step below the other two). I think after you visit them in the coming month, you’ll have a much better sense of what fits you best.</p>
<p>Nice that Colby gave you an honor plus you can start in September with your classmates–if Midd is your dream school, you could take first semester abroad…
Would only choose Brandeis for financial situation/family , or religious reasons.</p>
<p>Middlebury for sure!! It is gorgeous and such a great school!</p>
<p>Brandeis, simply put, is an excellent school. Our family visited each of these schools an were totally blown away by our experience at Brandeis which, btw, is more of a suburban, as opposed to city, school. They’ve got a great faculty who are dedicated teachers in addition to their research. So it’s very similar to many LAC’s…Think Tufts. They don’t have the endowment of a Middlebury or a Colby an perhaps have less than glowing facilities, but that does not prevent one from receiving a a great education and leaving with great connections. Colby and Middlebury are isolated but similar in size and student body. Colby, actually, has some social overlap with it’s Maine neighbors, Bates, and Bowdoin. As many have said, congratulations on your acceptance to three exceptional schools…Good luck with your visits!!</p>
<p>I’ll just pipe in to say: Make sure you consider ALL the Academic majors at these small schools. I really thought I wanted to be an education major. When I changed my mind, the school I attended didn’t really have a true communications department and had nothing to do with Journalism or creative writing. While I became an English major, I ended up getting a second BA in Journalism somewhere else. </p>
<p>I just think you have to like more than a singular department and look to the big picture. Truth is, Midd’s sciences weren’t nearly as top drawer as some of S’s other choices. But there was just something about Midd that he loved, and he knew there were plenty of Academic majors where he could see himself if science ended up not being what he wanted. As it is, he never changed his major and has had opportunities through Midd that he may have never seen at another school; his internship this summer is just amazing. </p>
<p>I can’t speak highly enough about Midd’s academic strengths across the board. S has taken classes in the Arts, Econ, History and is now about a class away from getting a minor in Middle Eastern History.</p>
<p>Ironically, the only department he won’t ever take a class in at Midd is foreign language, known to be their strongest department of all!</p>
<p>Thanks everybody for your input - I am truly excited and do feel very lucky to have such great choices! I have looked into my majors and English, Creative Writing, Art History, and History - my other passions besides Education are strong at all of these schools so I can’t wait to visit, sit in on classes and meet some of the excellent faculty. I have noticed that the Middlebury CC threads are the most active and responsive! Seems like a lot of great school spirit. Next, being a Feb, will be study abroad programs that are reasonably priced! If I choose Middlebury, I may try to study Spanish abroad, but since there is no financial aid in the Fall semester, I have to do it in a very cost effective way. But first things first - my visit during Admitted students days. Thanks again!!</p>
<p>Tyranna - Make sure you take a moment to truly just absorb the library when you go and visit. The view alone will make you want to go there to study. But in your first post you mentioned the accessibility of Professors and so I hope you’ll see for yourself when you visit how great the Professors of Midd are. </p>
<p>If there has been one singular constant great thing about Midd from my kid’s point of view since the day he stepped onto campus,it is just how awesome his Professors are. He is the kind of guy that will go to office hours, or stay after class, etc and I honestly believe his experience to be a good test of accessibility in several departments (without his being annoying, of course.
) But Midd makes the top grade, and some in this score. And if I am really honest, I am completely jealous of the education my kid is getting.;)</p>
<p>When I visited Middlebury, I loved the professors and the sense of health, fun and general spirit of the students, but everyone I met was sports-oriented, and that isn’t me (I’d say I’m more artsy and social justice-oriented), so I was concerned that I might not fit in or have as much in common with everyone. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I’m surprised-not a jock school at all. There is a huge social justice community-the Campus Dems and the Green community are large and active.</p>
<p>My oldest son is a very liberal intellectual and has lots of friends. My second son, who is on a team and competes winter season, is not a jock or even really sports oriented-and his GF(English major, very interested in teaching_)is totally unathletic. </p>
<p>They do ALL enjoy spending time outdoors in the beautiful environment surrounding Midd, and I guess that would be a more common thread than official athletic participation.</p>
<p>Thanks - I wish I’d met them! I didn’t get into the deeper conversations I hoped for but did enjoy playing games and the general atmosphere. Maybe if I’d gotten to meet the Campus Dems or Amnesty International people, Thatcwould have happened. Also what feedback have you gotten on the workload? Thanks much!!</p>
<p>^ My son is a 2015.5, and while it is still early in the game, I would relate to you what he answered when asked a similar question about Midd being “athletic minded.” His response was that he doesn’t get an overwhelming feeling of Midd being a “jock school”, but he finds most of the students are active and generally enjoy the outdoors and what Vermont has to offer. As for the workload, Midd definitely is not for the faint of heart when it comes to work. He came from a rigorous prep school in the NE , and finds there is even more work at Midd. He is taking a tough course load, but nonetheless, he explains that he is not the exception, but rather the rule. Good Luck with all your choices and consider yourself lucky to have been invited to be a Feb (They are a special breed!)</p>
<p>Workload is higher than many other schools, and according to some websites/colleges rated, Midd students spend more time studying than at many schools in their peer group.
Saying that, neither of my children seem to be overwhelmingly burdened. Son 1 has time to work 10 hours a week in a campus job, participate in 2 clubs, and do political activities.
Son 2 has time to participate in a varsity sport in season, club sports, and many cultural activities.
Both went to a public HS in NY and did IB. This is TONS more work than that, but they are learning a lot and have become experienced at time management.</p>
<p>hi…I am coming as a Feb., non-drinker, too, into playing music, global /social justice, the arts, writing. Good luck with your excellent choices, hope to see you in Feb. at Middlebury</p>