Picking a College

Hi! I am a current senior deciding where to ED for college. I am really interested in Middlebury. I like there language and science program, as well as their location. My only hesitation is the the stereotype of the social life and kind of people that go there. The high school I go to now is filled with stuck up rich kids who complain nonstop and are very cliquey. In college I hope to get as far away from this world as I can. I have heard that Midd is very cliquey and is “High school 2.0”. I am an outdoor enthusiast, I love to ski, hike, and just be outside. I don’t want to be in a huge city for college. I have also looked at Dartmouth, which seems like it has it all, however, I am not sure if I will be able to get in. I plan on applying to CU Boulder, UVM, and University of Washington, University of Puget Sound. I also might apply to Whitman College, Bowdoin, and Colby. I enjoy the outdoors, but I don’t exactly fit the stoner girl stereotype. I play sports and like to party; however, I don’t fit the sorority girl stereotype either. Any other school suggestions? Any advice on Middlebury?

Colgate matches Dartmouth in many academic and social respects.

Williams offers slightly less competitive admissions than Dartmouth, as well as a social atmosphere sans sororities.

Hamilton offers academic balance and an array of spatial and social environments. America’s largest Norway spruce resides on its campus.

Colorado College matches your tentative mix.

Saint Lawrence, located between the Adirondacks and the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and in proximity to Canada, offers an exotic location.

Schools you have mentioned such as Colby, UPS and Whitman should all be explored further.

Regarding Middlebury itself, it has had some issues recently of the type to which you have alluded (https://vtdigger.org/2020/03/15/spike-in-vandalism-at-middlebury-as-students-prepared-to-leave-campus/amp/ ). Nonetheless, I recommend you continue to consider it based on those of its characteristics and attributes that match your interests.