<p>I am now in the process of choosing between Middlebury College and Wesleyan University for the class of 2012 (yes, i know it is past the deadline, it is a long story). These two schools have so much to offer that I am having trouble trying to concretely decide.
I am interested in economics, perhaps international affairs, and languages. I speak chinese proficiently and would like to learn arabic. While I know the language aspect would tip the scales towards middlebury, I am also very interested in the CSS program at Wesleyan. Also, I visited during Wesfest and really like Wesleyan, not to mention the location (yay for not being in isolated vermont). </p>
<p>To sum up my questions:</p>
<p>Which school has a better econ department?</p>
<p>Is the language (Chinese and Arabic) instruction at Wesleyan even comparable to that of middlebury?</p>
<p>Overall, which school is better (I know this is a nearly impossible question to answer) not based on prestige but rather actual quality of instruction?</p>
<p>You honestly can't go wrong with either of these schools. You're very lucky to be able to weigh them both like this; not many students are in such a fortunate position.</p>
<p>I think language instruction at Wes is certainly comparable to Middlebury's, but languages and international studies are most definitely Midd's forte, and when you got right down to it, you'd fine that Midd's language programs are just slightly better than Wes'. But the two are within the same league of one another.</p>
<p>I think economics are probably better at Wes, but kind of like the languages thing above, Midd's econ program is again comparable to Wes'. I think Wes is probably the better of econ departments when you can right down to it though.</p>
<p>These are both highly selective, prestigious, wonderful new england liberal arts schools. I have friends at both who love it. You can't go wrong with either of these; it's really all about fit. You can't go wrong with either!</p>
<p>Part of your wording though makes me feel that Wesleyan is the right choice here...</p>
<p>I don't know if this helps or offers any perspective of any sort, but...
I go to Middlebury and take Chinese. A friend from home goes to Wesleyan and takes Chinese. This summer we're both going to the Middlebury summer language school and then going abroad to the Middlebury school abroad in Hangzhou, China. So basically, even if you go to Wesleyan you can still come to Midd for a summer or go abroad through Midd.</p>
<p>People going into economics that are more likely to go into investment banking, consulting would probably like Middlebury better. Those more interested in going to grad school, think tanks, Federal reserve board, more academic type of jobs would probably like the atmosphere of Wesleyan more.</p>
<p>I think historically that Wesleyan was considered "better" and was grouped as part of the 'Little Three' with Williams and Amherst, but this may have changed somewhat in more recent years.</p>
<p>I agree that they are probably very similar. My D was accepted to both last year. I know students at both schools. Very great kids, who love their schools! One difference that may or may not be important to you-- Wesleyan is somewhat more ethnically diverse than is Middlebury. That is ironic, to be sure, because of Midd's global perspective, which is enormous. And, the summer language school is more diverse than the demographics during the school year.</p>
<p>If prestige is a factor, Middlebury is more prestigious and on a steep upward trajectory. For graduate school in Law or an MBA however this prestige will be a negligible advantage while for other graduate programs it will help. On languages, there is very little comparison to be made. Middlebury is the best place for language study in the country. One economics, as a previous post noted, if you want to get into private sector for profit work Middlebury will be a big advantage. In fact while Swathmore and Williams have brillian econ departments this is the case in comparisons with them as well. To understand why look at the course offerings of the different departments, Mid is geared to help you become an I banker or consultant. And yes, as my name suggests, I am biased. I know this is an old post and this response is geared for those who stumble upon this while making their decisions.</p>
<p>I actually prefer to keep my replies to current cases and controversies, but, In this case I’ll gladly make an exception. The Common Data Sets between the two schools don’t break out the Econ baccalaureates per graduating class; they’re subsumed under the general heading of “Social Sciences”, and there are similar proportions of such majors at both schools. However, for an interesting surrogate marker for the kind of math capability that would be a requisite of, for example, the world of derivatives, look no further than the relative number of math and statistics majors graduating from the two schools. On that basis the top LACs would look something like this:</p>
<p>That’s a little more than a hint . . . it’s a powerful spice. I hope it puts some of this “ranking” in context. Most of the schools in NESCAC are extremely similar. Go to the one that fits you best.</p>
<p>I have some inside knowledge of both schools - family members are alumni. Wesleyan is academically more rigorous than Middlebury. It has one of the finest pre-med programs in the nation and Econ and any number of other departments are ranked very high. Wesleyan’s College of Social Studies (very challenging) is great preparation for grad school.</p>
<p>lol. i have some first hand knowledge too. Middlebury is academically more rigorous than Wesleyan. I know that because at one point, I met someone who went to Wesleyan, and that person wasn’t as smart as someone who I once met who went to Middlebury. So take THAT! [I’m just FULL of sarcasm these days!]</p>
<p>What the heck, it’s too early for cocktails. I have time. I’ll play.
So, you didn’t attend either college? And of course your family members attended a number of semesters at both colleges so they had a basis for comparison?</p>
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<p>What pre-med program? You can major in any subject and apply to med school. The following courses only are required by most med schools.
A year of Freshman Chemistry along with the appropriate laboratory courses
A year of Organic Chemistry along with laboratory courses
A year of Biology along with laboratory courses
A year of Physics along with laboratory courses
A year of English
A year of Calculus or other advanced math classes, including Statistics </p>
<p>N.B. The statistics include students who applied and were accepted to med school after graduating from Wesleyan. Many pursued additional research and/or degrees at other universities, ergo, aforementioned universities played a significant role in the applicants acceptance to med school. And while the statistics are above the national average, they hardly substantiate your assertion.
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<p>Aw, never mind. I like Arcadia’s response better.</p>
<p>There isn’t a college in the county with a 100 percent admit rate to med school–not even close. Trust me on this. My sister-in-law is a prof and researcher at an Ivy med school. She also lectures throughout the country. She knows a bit about admission Wesleyan publishes their admit rate, but it’s not broken down by gpa. Almost no schools do so. Here’s Wesleyan’s info. Feel free to post a link to refute the statistics. Better yet, get John Wesley over here. He knows all!
<p>The 100% medical school acceptance figure comes from an earlier website citation that has since been updated – so don’t go looking for it. But, it is referred to in this 2006 CC post:</p>
<p>Thanks JW. That was fast–2 minutes. I’m impressed. You on call tonight? Or just a slow news night? :)</p>
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<p>Gotta love Wiki. You can say anything and the unwashed masses will take it as gospel.</p>
<p>Caltecster, what you should have been boastful about is that (as of 2006) Wes has received a far greater amount of federal science funding compared to other top LACs </p>
Wesleyan publishes their admit rate, but it’s not broken down by gpa. Almost no schools do so. Here’s Wesleyan’s info. Feel free to post a link to refute the statistics. Better yet, get John Wesley over here. He knows all!