<p>I really can't decide. I know they're dramatically different and I know a lot about the pros of each, but not much about the cons. Does anyone have any input? My biggest concern about Midd is that it might get boring because I don't like to drink and it's filled with rich kids, but I like that it has a small community and is concerned with the environment/fitness. I like WUSTL because it's in a relatively small-medium city and the 6,000 undergrads seems the right size. I'm visiting both next month. Does anyone have any comments to make about either before my visit?</p>
<p>I’m in a similar situation as you, although I am still waiting on some Ivy decisions this Wednesday. If I don’t get good news, though, my decision will definitely come down to WashU and Midd.</p>
<p>In many ways I loved the remote location of Middlebury and the community it would likely foster. I feel like one could really get the “college experience” at a small LAC or somewhere like Dartmouth. Also, you’re not going to get better access to outdoor activities than in Vermont, from skiing to hiking to just about anything nature related. I am, however, a little concerned with the stereotypes of the typical Midd student – the “lax bro” from the northeast who was probably super popular in high school.</p>
<p>I, myself, am on the shy side and think I would fit in better with the WashU student body. It seems like they seem to be a bit more studious and low-key. As pretty as Middlebury may be, * nothing * compares to the WashU campus. It blows every school away. I also really like the location; the Delmar Loop which is located right next to the campus has tons of restaurants and theaters and seems like a nice student hangout. Even if some people have negative things to say about St. Louis, having access to a sizable city can still come in handy. </p>
<p>Anyway, I’m not a current student at either school, so I don’t know much more than you. I think your decision will be a lot easier once you’ve visited both campuses. Good luck!</p>
<p>Good luck to you too ccuser18! I feel like we’ve posted on a bunch of the same boards before.</p>
<p>I may be a bit biased since I am on the waitlist, but WASH U FO’LIFE. Just kidding. Good luck with this one</p>
<p>Ironically I’ve been waitlisted at both :P</p>
<p>Keep your chin up, Drelnis, it will all work out!</p>
<p>Drelnis, maybe they just think you’re destined to get in somewhere better and won’t choose either of these schools ;)</p>
<p>I’d say Middlebury would be the better choice if you intend to stay on the East Coast, while Wash U. might be the better choice if you plan on living in the Midwest. What do you want to study?</p>
<p>I think you’ll realize which school is the better fit after your visits.</p>
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<p>As of now, I want to study science but it’s very possible that my area of study will change. I’d also like to learn Chinese (Mandarin… I guess) and Spanish (I already know a lot… I’m in AP but I’m by no means fluent) in college. Also, I am 99% sure I’m going to go to grad school.</p>
<p>As you can probably tell science = WASHU, languages = MIDD.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t base your decision on this, but Forbes ranks Midd significantly higher than WashU:</p>
<p>[America’s</a> Best Colleges - Forbes.com](<a href=“Forbes List Directory”>Forbes List Directory)</p>
<p>Also, Midd is rated as a better feeder school to top grad school than WashU according to the Wall Street Journal. Midd is #23 and WashU is #47 according to WSJ. So if grad school is a concern, maybe consider that.</p>
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<p>Yes, but it also ranks Whitman ahead of Pomona, Middlebury, Duke, Dartmouth, etc.</p>
<p>My S is a science major (MBBC) and seriously, of all the things that sometimes bug him about Midd (small size and remote location) the classes have never been one of them. Ever. The department as a whole is in a word, awesome. He LOVES his professors at Midd and they could not be more accessible. He’s always talking about how he was in deep conversation with his professors about this or that. For example, his orgo II professor is also hugely interested in the humanities and can tie ANYTHING to the study of science. While I think Wash U is a great school, when you visit Midd make sure you get a really good look at Bi-Hall. Son practically lives in there. It’s an incredible facility. Hard not to be inspired with that kind of view.</p>
<p>As a recent MBBC (molecular biology and biochemistry) Midd grad, I can’t say enough good things about Middlebury’s science programs. It always saddens me when I see people only equating Middlebury with awesome language programs. Obviously, they are amazing, some of the best in the country, but I think that it sometimes overshadows how great all of Middlebury’s programs are. Any Middlebury graduate, I feel, can stand alongside a graduate of any other school in any department and have just as good of an education, if not better. I’ve posted about the sciences at Midd before, but I’ll say it again. They are fantastic. The faculty is top notch (we might not have nobel laureates, but the professors care so much more about teaching and undergraduates than at any university and are so much more interested in turning undergrads into great scientists than at a university where professors are interested in turning grad students and post-docs into scientists but could care less about undergrads, as long as they don’t get in the way of the grad students and post-docs). The facilities are amazing, especially for a small LAC (every MBBC student learns about and uses a sequencer-good luck finding that anywhere else, even where sequencers are available, the students don’t operate them). </p>
<p>Being strong in the sciences at the undergraduate level is so so different than being strong in the sciences at the graduate/professional level, which is something that most people don’t realize/think about. I’m now at an Ivy league graduate school (Middlebury got me here!) and I know with 100% certainty that I received a better undergraduate education than any undergrad here. Middlebury professors will push you past where you think your limits are, and that’s the only way you will learn just how far you can go-if someone else expects that of you. Where I am now, the students aren’t pushed near as far, and they suffer from it, even if they don’t realize it. Don’t assume that because an institution is known for the sciences that it’s going to serve you better than Midd as an undergrad. It’s fame comes from its work with graduate students, post-docs, and faculty, and that’s where their focus is. Middlebury is focused on undergrads. There are no grad students or post-docs. The undergrads are the grad students and post-docs. And that’s a singular experience that you can only get at an LAC. </p>
<p>Also, being in grad school now, I can assure you that I was bettered prepared for grad school than most of my classmates. The transition was not difficult because I essentially was a graduate student in undergrad. Something to consider. All this being said, I think visiting the schools will tell you more than your brain and logic ever can, and hopefully you will get that gut feeling when you visit that this is where you do or do not belong. Good luck!</p>
<p>Now Midd is my top choice when I apply this coming fall; however, I am a native of St. Louis. I’ve visited WashU a couple times for our annual German Day, and the campus was amazing. It felt like a Harry Potter book. Also, we never ran into a rude student when asking for directions to our spelling bee. Although there is some crime at WashU, St.Louis is a safe city. You just have to be smart. The city has so much to offer: Forest Park is right around the corner, the free Zoo, the free Art Museum, Cardinals baseball, the Arch, Delmar as mentioned before, Ted Drew’s (best ice cream), and so much more. So, WashU is an awesome place to go to school. Don’t count it out until you visit.</p>
<p>I just got a letter in the mail: my 4th waitlist - all of them LACs except Wash U.</p>
<p>Waitin for the Ivies to release their decisions, oh the pain of waiting!</p>
<p>@rainbowrose thanks a lot! Let’s wait and see what Brown thinks of me :)</p>
<p>Thanks panthergrad, that post was very informative :). If I LIKE Middlebury (assuming the worst tomorrow O.o) I will probably go there. However, as of now I just don’t really know if I’d fit in there.</p>
<p>A further note----the Chinese department at Midd is fabulous. I don’t know about Wash U but students at some mid-sized urban schools bond less with each other because many are off doing things in the city on the weekends. Just something to check out.</p>
<p>My D has a similar dilemma since she’s accepted to Midd, NW, and CMC. Midd already offered a very good Financial package, which I really appreciate.</p>
<p>I hope some of you can give her some advice based on the following stats and description of my D.</p>
<p>D is a very outgoing, sweethearted, active and involved girl who wants to pursue a business career. She is kind to anyone, loves to initiate a conversation, cares about others, and adores children. She is liked by anyone she knows. She is not shy at all and goes to teachers any time with any kind of issue.</p>
<p>She is so good at persuading others, selling goods. So, she has raised a lot of money through bake sales and etc.</p>
<p>Leadership: presidents of key club, NHS, and Forensics team. Editor-in-chief, school newspaper. Student government (senior class president).</p>
<p>Community Service: She thinks that servicing others is the purpose of her life. She does 400+ hours a year community service. She has strong faith in God. She never sacrifices community service or EC to secure more study hours. She will just sacrifice her sleep.</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<p>ACT: 35 (Science 36, English 36, Math 35, Reading 32)
GPA: 4.0 uw, 4.25 weighted.
Rank: 1/217 (top public hs in WI)
APs: 5 in Calc BC, Biology, US History, Micro, Macro
(senior year) Chemistry, Statistics, Honors English (both E language and E literature), Psychology, Spanish.</p>
<p>She’s never afraid of challenge, academic or nonacademic.</p>
<p>Please don’t take me wrong. I have no intention to brag or something. I just want to characterize her and ask for your opinion.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>typdad–I think she would THRIVE at Middlebury.</p>
<p>I agree, she would thrive at Middlebury. My son recently completed his undergrad work at Midd and is now is graduate school at Wash U. He did thrive at Midd and has felt will prepared for the molecular biology program at Wash U.</p>