<p>So, I've been accepted to Middlebury, which is in many ways a dream come true. I love the academics, the people, and the community; however, I'm from Baltimore, and am very much a city-kind-of-girl. I've also been accepted to Johns Hopkins, in the heart of Baltimore, and I'm kind of stuck between the two. If I go to Middlebury, I worry I'll miss all the advantages of being in the city, and won't be able to handle the rural environment--so my question is, how does the college of Middlebury match up? I can't really tell if there's much of a music scene, and that's a big thing for me. Coming from Baltimore, I'm used to a thriving music scene. What do current Middlebury students think? Especially if you've come from a big city too.</p>
<p>I had a kid a Williams and one at Barnard – W’town vs. NYC. Neither would have been as happy in the other’s venue. You have to decide which kind of bear you are. A truly urban person might not be happy at Midd (my D wouldn’t have been), but a marginal one who wants to try something new would.</p>
<p>When we visited her bro at Williamstown she couldn’t get out fast enough.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I’ve just been to Midd and I certainly could be thrilled to spend four years there. Her brother would have been too.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone else can answer this for you.</p>
<p>By the way, the campus was breathtaking.</p>
<p>I went to Midd after having grown up in the city. The way I saw it, Midd was an opportunity to experience a completely different environment. I knew I would live in urban areas after college, so I fully embraced the uniqueness of a rural college experience removed from the distractions of the big city. Most Midd students study abroad for all or part of their junior year, so it ends up being two years at Midd, then a year-long break (probably in a city somewhere in the world), then one last year. When you factor in the breaks every 2-3 months during the academic year and the summers, you won’t ever need to go more than a few months without getting back to the city for a “break.” If you live in a city after graduation, i promise that you’ll look back fondly on your days in the mountains (as you sit in gridlock breathing polluted air and wishing you saw more grass than concrete and steel).</p>
<p>Like mythmom, my two children chose different paths. One chose small town college life in Brunswick Maine and the other chose the city of Boston for it’s music, art, and energy. Both are happy. Perhaps the difference between them and you is they knew their preferences. As arcadia suggests, sometimes it’s nice to experience a culture different than what one is used to just to add to one’s experience…That’s an academic thing, and highly recommended from this parent. Where one settles, ultimately, is often different than where one starts anyway so why not embrace the new? You’ve got two great choices and each has the potential to enhance and enable. Trust your instincts and best wishes for an exciting four years.</p>
<p>My kid would echo arcadia almost word for word. Only difference is he is now closing out that Jr year and never went abroad. And he’s fine! His thinking while making a decision to go to Midd was he had his entire life to live in the city. Honestly, I am kind of surprised how well he has taken to all the outdoor excursions and adventures since my idea of any kind of camping is a hotel without room service. As a family we only camped umm… never. 
But I also agree with Mythmom… know thyself. Our D wanted more urban a much bigger school. Truthfully, I think the personalities of Johns hopkins and Midd are so completely different that the location of one is probably a lot further down on the list. </p>
<p>But to stick to the point: While I think the village of Middlebury is actually quite broad in its diversions for a small town, it’s certainly not Baltimore. S has been to hang out with friends in NYC, DC and Boston and he’s gone to Montreal about twice a year. He seems to get plenty of fill of the big city. And truly, four years is nothing is a span of a life. I think he’s going to miss it there a great deal.</p>
<p>These are old posts, so I don’t know if any of you will see something current. But if so, your advice would be greatly appreciated. My son is in the process of deciding between these two schools. He has grown up in a tiny suburban town (and attended a very small high school on a beautiful, storybook-like campus). On one hand, he knows he has thrived at a small school away from a city. Middlebury is a larger rendition of his high school (but with exceptional academics). He was nervous about even looking at JHU, but then was pleasantly surprised. Part of him still envisions a scenic, countryside campus tucked away in the snow (he doesn’t mind cold weather and loves sports). But JHU wasquite welcoming when he visited - as well as very stimulating. He’s a kid who likes to be challenged. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Has he visited Middlebury?</p>
<p>@nina22 to be very truthful, I think that the differences between the two student bodies are night and day, especially depending on majors. As we went through the selection process for my S2, we spoke with a recent alum from JHU and she strongly advised against JHU. From what I took away, this is at least true about premed students. But it is also very competitive in any of the majors. I find that Middlebury to be much more of a collaborative student body. So the decision here isn’t just rural vs. city, but competitive vs. collaboration. Both will challenge, but it also depends on the underlying ‘feel’ throughout his time there. As Arcadia said last year, if he wants to experience big cities, he could either do the time abroad or even more likely, get internships in large cities during his summer breaks. I think that Middlebury and all that it offers inside and outside the classroom will definitely be stimulating.</p>
<p>Couldn’t resist the chance to affirm part of GvaMom’s post. In a very recent conversation over spring break, my S was talking about Physics problem sets. The thing he mentioned that is relevant is that he said all students help each other… if one gets Part A, he/she is more than willing, even anxious to help his classmates who may very well then turn around and help explain Part B. He contrasted this with some other students he spoke with at a different school where they basically are competitive. I really don’t know about JHU other than hearsay so I won’t comment. The student body at Midd as a whole is accepting and caring.</p>
<p>Thanks, KarateDad and GvaMom. Yes, my son has toured both schools. He liked both though seems to be favoring JHU (although he saw it much more recently than Middlebury which he visited almost a year ago). He is NOT studying medicine or science, which we’re told would make JHU an entirely different (and potentially difficult) experience. He’s actually quite unsure of what he wants to pursue, largely because he likes many subjects (History, English, Economics, Foreign Languages). We have been told that the Writing and International Relations programs are outstanding at both schools. He is a competitive kid who can be very motivated and loves to be busy/try new things. But he also wants to have fun and make friends. Thanks again for your insights.</p>
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<p>I was born and reared in the largest city in the country. Went to college in the middle of nowhere and lived in communist countries.</p>
<p>I’m sure northern Vermont is survivable.</p>
<p>Changes in one’s life happen.
Embrace it.</p>