Middlebury, Williams, Swarthmore, Haverford, or Bates

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
1

<p>Those are the schools under consideration for my D after many college visits - several other were ruled out after visits (Colby, Bowdoin,....) because they just did not "feel right". Interested in studying biology and mathematics, and participate in sports. Wants a strong and friendly academic environment but not overly intense, wants to be with students that enjoy the outdoors, wants environmental awareness and plenty of vegetarian options, wants to be in an active environment and participate in sports but not a "jock" or "fill-the-stands" environment. Most of all wants down-to-earth nice fellow students and teachers that are not snobby, pretentious, or preppy - and smart students that are not all about intelect or shows-offs. She can probably get in to any school, but does not feel a need to go to the most prestigious she can get in to. Wants a happy 4 years and a strong academic experience. Where? </p>

<p>She expected to like Middlebury most, but it almost felt "too nice" (Stepford Wives?). She was surprised to find that she really liked Bates - probably the least prestigious and easiest to get in to of the group. All visits were in the summer with no students around.</p>

2

<p>Hi! Is there a question there? S is now a sophomore at Williams and his best friend is at Bates if you have any questions for me.</p>

<p>All these schools are great and fit the qualifications you set out. Swat and Haverford probably not as outdoorsy and the other three, but all wonderful schools.</p>

3

<p>What mythmom said. :) They're all wonderful schools; she can't go wrong.</p>

4

<p>i think midd, bates and williams fit to your daughter's expectations more than swat and bates. i have a friend in swat and she says that it's too academic, and not that outdoorsy. williams and midd are basically like "brothers from another mother," and they both are outdoorsy, although williams is a litlte more academic. midd is also a little easier to get into, so i would definitely consider midd.</p>

5

<p>Thank you all. Sorry if it was unclear what I was looking for, although most replies were right on. I was trying to describe my daughter's interests in terms of what she is looking for in a school, and then seeing which of the five schools folks felt would fit well, and why (and which would not, and why). It is so hard to get an accurate impression during a tour and info session, especially during the summer when the campus is mostly empty, and we will not have an opportunity to spend time at the schools when they are in session. Somehow my D felt really comfortable at Bates and with those students, but might want a little higher caliber academic situation with the same fairly low-key feel. Bates student body and overall "feel", located in Middebury, with the Middlebury outdoorsy and environmental feel, with the Haverford approach to the academics and balance with sports - that would be just right. </p>

<p>Here are some initial gut feelings or impressions based on other's, which may or may not be correct:
Middlebury: Perfect location, strong academics, nice balance of academics and fun, nice outdoorsy and environmental awareness, good options for vegetarians, a bit preppy, a bit "jocky", too neat and perfect and homogeneous (felt a bit steril).<br>
Williams: Nice location, strong academics, a bit intense academics but still balanced with fun, outdoorsy, less environmental awareness, less options for vegetarians, quite preppy and "jocky", quite diverse and eclectic.
Bates: OK location, nice balance of academics and fun, nice outdoorsy and environmental awareness, good options for vegetarians, down-to-earth student body (not preppy, pretentious), good balance to the sports, nice campus. Not at the same academic level as the rest.
Swarthmore: So-so location if you want to be close to the outdoors and quiet, strong academics, intense academics with less well balanced academics/fun, not particularly outdoorsy or environmental aware, fair options for vegetarians, interesting student body (not preppy or pretentious) but a bit too much of an activist streak and overly intelectual, good balance to the sports, nice campus.
Haverford: So-so location if you want to be close to the outdoors and quiet, strong academics, a bit intense academics but still balanced with fun, not particularly outdoorsy or environmental aware, fair options for vegetarians, down-to-earth student body (not preppy, pretentious), good balance to the sports, nice campus.
Please correct me.</p>

6

<p>Williams: More kids somewhat crunchy than preppy -- I was surprised last year when I looked at S's frosh entry all the long-haired, scruffy guys of which S was one. (Not long hair -- hair like astroturf, but quite respectable facial hair.)</p>

<p>Most kids really strong Obama supporters to S's chagrin -- he was for Hillary.</p>

<p>Athletics add to but do not dominate campus culture.</p>

<p>Yes, environmental awareness but not at the level of Midd to be sure. Examples: Outing to climb Mt. Jiminy to look at wind turbines (S went), guest lecture Michael Pollen about politics of corn and food supply, strong recommendation not be bring a refrigerator since they consume tremendous amounts of energy</p>

<p>and the competition for the most energy efficient entry. That week is called "Do it in the dark." You can search the site and find it.</p>

7

<p>Did you visit Middlebury when school was in session? If not, how can you make compare Midd's student body to the others?</p>

8

<p>We did not visit ANY school while they were in session, which clearly makes this very difficult - but at least it is based on similar visits. General (yes - very generalized) impressions were based on tours, info sessions, meeting half a dussin kids, second and third hand impressions from others, written sources etc. - again, the same for all schools. There is of course no substitute for spending a couple of days on campus when school is in session at each of these schools, but unfortunately that is not going to be possible - maybe at a couple at some point.</p>

9

<p>When I was looking at colleges (many years ago!) I took one look at Middlebury and said to my mother "Keep driving," I have never particularly liked the cold stone buildings and agree that the campus can seem sterile. HOWEVER, my son started as a freshman last year and couldn't be happier! It's the people that make the place! We attended Admitted Students Day and the Deans, professors and staff were all amazingly down-to earth, articulate, funny, and obviously VERY invested in their students. It's no wonder that Midd professors were recently voted #1 in the Professors Get High Marks category in the Princeton Review. I heard a Midd prof interviewed about this and she said, "We treat them all as if they were our own children." It's true and we feel REALLY lucky to have our son in such an intellectually vital, stimulating, and yet nurturing environment.</p>

10

<p>terryw- I think it's so funny how people can have such different views of the Middlebury architecture. I've always liked that Midd has kept things similar in terms of building material, and that it reflects the history of the area (there's a former marble works that's now a shopping area in town). Maybe the just fit more with my aesthetic somehow (I have a thing for old brick and stone buildings), but they've never felt sterile to me. Just the opposite really--I never get sick of walking around campus because of the great buildings (and the changing scenery). Different strokes for different folks, right?</p>

11

<p>I agree with Klink. I think Middlebury's campus (including the old stone buildings) is gorgeous.</p>

12

<p>Don't get me wrong - I too thought Middlebury's campus was beautiful, and the facilities fantastic. The setting was stunning, and the town great - it was gorgeous all around. That being said, there was some impression a couple of us in the family came away with that could not easily be put in words. Something felt too perfect (is that possible?). For instance, there were not leaves on the ground when there clearly should have been - you almost did not feel comfortable walking on the grass. This remains one of the top two candidate schools, and I am sure would be great. My daughter will be visiting while it is in session, and that will be important to get a better feel for what it would really be like to go there.</p>

13

<p>Master Dad here. See my response under the "Music at Midd" thread. My son just started his Freshman year and my wire and I are very positive on the school based on initial impressions at Orientation Week last week.</p>

<p>And we felt perfectly comfortable walking on the grass.</p>

14

<p>Why isn't your D looking at Carleton? Top 25 Green school, fantastic academics, 800 acre arboretum, etc.</p>

15

<p>I believe he's said before that his daughter would prefer to stay in the Northeast.</p>

16

<p>Not to mention Middlebury tops Carleton in nearly every aspect. </p>

<p>*ok, all Carleton fans, I'm joking . . . sort of. Don't get upset.</p>

17

<p>I too believe Carleton could/would be a very good fit. When thinking through her priorities, it certainly floats towards the top as a potentially good match. I do believe she will want to stay in the NE, but we'll discuss other options as well.</p>