Please! Any input would be great!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Middlebury College
1

<p>As the May 1st deadline to commit to a school is coming soon, I am struggling with my decision.</p>

<p>After much deliberation, I have decided between Colorado College and Middlebury College. However, I am very split between the two schools. I've visited Colorado College twice, and fell in love with its idealism, environment, and the block plan (of course). I just came back from Middlebury's campus preview for accepted students and didn't fall in love with the campus, but rather the academics and professors. The campus felt uncomfortable to me, and the students felt so plain and general. It's worth noting that I want to involve environmental studies in my curriculum; however, desire to connect sociology, economics, and philosophy.</p>

<p>I know for a fact that this is doable at CC, but do not think so much with Middlebury. However, the academics at Middlebury are considered superb and worthwhile. The particular reason I applied to Middlebury was to be able to work with a well-known scholar in residence in environmentalism writing, and work with a professor who specializes in environmental economics. Students have done remarkable things in being agents of change when it comes to sustainability. I'm also afraid of the workload at Middlebury, which would not allow me to pursue volunteering projects, but for me, I believe the workload at CC will be manageable especially with the block plan.</p>

<p>At CC, I am friends with a couple of current students and feel that their presence is what made CC so great for me. While at Middlebury, I knew no one and was really nervous, and perhaps this hindered my experience while I was in Vermont.</p>

<p>Also worth noting, financially my parents contribution would be similar. I received merit and need-based aid from CC, and my parents would roughly pay close to nothing. At Middlebury, their financial aid packet was very VERY generous, with a family contribution of only 3thousand dollars more. As money is not an issue, my parents are letting me choose where I go this fall. I know that ranking-wise Middlebury is by far a better school than CC, but feel that CC is remarkable in different aspects than just academics alone. I don't want to choose a school based off prestige, but purely what will be best for me as an individual who will learn and flourish in an environment that will help form me as a person who wants to be a "catalyst for change".</p>

<p>Any comments, or remarks would be very appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I just read your post. My daughter was not accepted to Middlebury and it was one of her top choices. I thought it was a great school, all around. I have never been to CC or know much about it. So I obviously would be pro Middlebury. </p>

<p>That being said, it seems that from your post you really want to be convinced to go to CC but are unsure. I am no psychologist, but reading between the lines, it seems to me that CC is the choice for you. Remember this, you cannot make a wrong choice here. Your college experience will be what YOU make it no matter what school you attend. Go with you heart, be confident in your choice and don't look back. You will NOT regret it. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you in the future!!!</p>

3

<p>Where do you live? (I'm a big fan of going away to college.) Were you able to meet with the Professor at Midd? If not, send him/her an e-mail and ask what opportunities exist to help conduct research? What did you not like about the campus, i.e., too manicured? What non-academic characteristics at CC do you consider "remarkable"?</p>

<p>You can be a catalyst for change at any college. You will flourish where you fnd a great fit. Having friends at CC is not a great way to choose, IMO. Most matriculating frosh won't know anyone on the first day of orientation, so they all want to meet new people.</p>

4

<p>You will accomplish more in an environment that is comfortable to you. Really. So, no matter how prestigious the person at Middlebury is, if CC is the environment that allows you to function at your best, I think that's where you should go.</p>

<p>How would you feel if you chose Midd and that professor left?</p>

<p>That said, I'm sure either choice would be fine.</p>

<p>And yes, going far away to school is great, but so is being within striking distance from home.</p>

<p>I think you have one of those chocolate or vanilla situations in which you can choose the one you love. If you do, it will be okay. And only you can decide which you love more, the atmosphere at CC or the opportunities at Midd. Good luck. You can't go wrong.</p>

5

<p>Midd is very focused on student activism. I don't think you'd find any shortage of that if you go to Midd.</p>

6

<p>I agree with mythmom, mwgdc,et al. As they are both great schoolsl, remember that once you graduate, no prospective employer (or anybody else) is ever going to say: "You mean to say you went to ____ when you could have gone to ____???" By all means, go with your heart. And even if you wake up at whichever school and decide you made a monumental mistake, you can always transfer. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I was able to meet the professor at Midd, and he was so great to me. He had read my application and talked about my involvement in extracurriculars, and so forth. The level of respect I had towards him proportioned the level of respect he had for me--it was a remarkable feeling. Also worth noting is that there was a faculty-student luncheon, and he previously had told me that he would not be able to come because he had a class. However, he was able to come find me, eat with me, and just talk to me for fifteen minutes before his last would begin. I have so much respect with this professor who specifically wanted to come meet me, and I feel (to an extent) that if I don't go to Midd despite his continuous communication with me, he will be disappointed. </p>

<p>When I sat in a class at CC, the professor was impressed that I had read works related to what he was talking about--almost as if I was not able to think on my own.</p>

<p>Oh, I'm from Oklahoma.</p>

8

<p>Bill McKibben is awesome. But you should go with your heart.</p>

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<p>*class : not last</p>

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<p>The older brother of one of my friend's here is working with Bill McKibben right now. If you're interested in talking to him, send me a private message and I could probably get you his contact info. I know you already met with him and all, but it's just an option if you wanted some more info or another person's take on things. He's also proof that a student here can be a catalyst for change--he organized the national Step It Up day last year.</p>

11

<p>I really feel that I was comfortable at CC because I had friends there. Thus, this hindered my view of Middlebury while I was there. I also question if I can do the workload, because I felt that many of the prospective students were so much smarter than me with acceptances at Amherst, Swathmore, WashU, etc. In the back of my mind, I question the reason behind my acceptance at Middlebury. Because I was from Oklahoma, the school felt that they were compelled to accept me no matter what. I really don't want to be a statistic for "diversity"...</p>

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<p>Ideal_Life: I think you are over thinking this. Just pick the school you like better. Choose whichever one makes you smile more when you think about going. Everything else will take care of itself.</p>

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<p>definitely don't pick a college because you already have friends there. just about every person who goes to college makes lots of friends when he gets there.</p>

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<p>I'm a Midd grad. Absolutely loved my years there and have kept the friends. But, the most important thing is knowing yourself. Sounds like CC is the best fit for you and you'll be happy. That sense of comfort really matters. As for keeping up with the work at Midd, you'd do just fine.</p>