<p>Hey all!
So I have been accepted to nine schools, but my top two choices are Middlebury and Vassar. I have absolutely adored Vassar in the beginning of my college process, and I applied to Middlebury for their superb international relations and language programs, not thinking that I would actually get in. I want to major in international relations/studies and learn as many languages as is physically possible (list includes Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, French, and maybe Portuguese). Major career goals would possibly range from being an interpreter to an American ambassador in a foreign nation. I am visiting both schools to see the kind of feel I get, and I consistently hear how highly esteemed Middlebury is for their programs in international relations and languages, more so than Vassar. And of course, their communities are very diverse and welcoming.
So which one should I choose...the school with some of the high-ranking programs for my major, or the school that would have just as good programs, but could also be a better fit for me in terms of location and people? HELP ME!!! I DID NOT EXPECT TO GET INTO THESE TWO!!</p>
<p>They are both great schools. You need to decide based on your visits and where you feel you will best fit.</p>
<p>I agree with GVAmom. They’re both great schools. Even if I may think Midd is better, you can get a great education at Vassar. Go to the school that feels right.</p>
<p>Last I knew Korean was not offered at Middlebury. Maybe that will cinch Vassar for you.</p>
<p>It would be nearly impossible to learn all of those languages during your time in college. I recommend that you choose two maximum and concentrate on becoming proficient in those.</p>
<p>Those are the overall languages I want to learn in total. Trust me I’m learning two right now and they can be a handful so I will probably only learn two for college as well!!</p>
<p>Thank you!! I have organized my plans for visiting both so we will see!!</p>
<p>For something like arabic you should compare how many levels of study are offered at each school. It’s hard to beat Middlebury for languages, of course but that’s one way to examine your options (and the Korean point made above). But if you think location and people are more a fit, weigh carefully when you visit.</p>
<p>I think the visit is the most important thing you need to consider. It will tell you about fit. Midd and Vassar are both great places. The Korean point is very important, you wouldn’t want to cut off options. If it’s one of your most important interests, then it definitely needs to be part of your decision-making process. Both are really strong in the languages, though. Good luck on the visits.</p>
<p>I don’t really see that Vassar offers arabic at all, so look carefully at their website. Middlebury offers 3 levels—beginner, intermediate and advanced. Korean at Vassar seems to be a self-study program that they have when languages aren’t offered in the classroom. Middlebury has an arabic house and arabic language tables-----with all the languages you’re interested in, you’ll have to think ahead about which you’ll be most disappointed not to find. Also compare the distribution requirements at the schools (Midd has quite a few) because it can be difficult to fit in two languages.</p>
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<p>Oops.</p>
<p>[Goals</a> & Objectives - Africana Studies - Vassar College](<a href=“Africana Studies | Vassar College”>Africana Studies | Vassar College)
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<p>A correlate is basically the same as a minor.</p>
<p>I have no idea why Vassar simply can’t call a minor a minor. Regardless, a rose by any other name…</p>
<p>[Academics</a> - Admissions - Vassar College](<a href=“http://admissions.vassar.edu/academics/]Academics”>http://admissions.vassar.edu/academics/)
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<p>Because Vassar has very few distribution requirements, my daughter is able and on track to complete two correlates, in addition to her major. I’m not advocating for Vassar. Just say’in.</p>
<p>I initially came to Midd skeptical about the language hype – it is all absolutely true. If you want to learn a language foremost, Middlebury is the best college on the planet to do that. The social scene at Midd and Vassar are two different things, and if you feel strongly swayed by one or the other, follow your instinct. But you won’t get the same language experience at Vassar as you would at Midd, just as Vassar has signature programs that Midd does not.</p>
<p>And Korean <em>is</em> going to be added to Midd’s list of languages. I dunno the timeframe, but if you’re up in the air anyways, the rest of your list is covered.</p>
<p>All these responses have been really helpful!!! Thank you all!!!</p>
<p>I am just gonna visit these schools with an open mind with no pretenses I may have had before haha.</p>