<p>Don’t know why, but it reposted my above post. No need to repeat that. :)</p>
<p>(except to perhaps say “thank you” in response to Crew’s preemptive “you’re welcome.”)</p>
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<p>The 9% on the Common Data Set is total of ‘visual’ and performing arts. My mistake for not including visual as well</p>
<p>The 4.4% on NorthCountyCat’s list is only for theater and dance. If you add music and studio art on her list, it’s close to 9%.</p>
<p>See? I missed something. Are we surprised? Nope.</p>
<p>Interesting to note that the science building is massive in tiny Middlebury. I understand from admissions officers that the building is making a deliberate statement - the college wants to attract more science types. So this could mean students with a bent in this direction would get more attention.
All this said, I found it telling upon touring the building that the windows were designed not to open. State of the art labs, stale air; pricey architecture that fails to harness the intoxicating fragrance known as fresh air. Hmmmm.</p>
<p>windows don’t open in science buildings for a reason. Some experiments are massively affected by humidity. Fluctuation in air flow=bad science.</p>
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<p>Who knew? Apparently a Midd grad. Well done. And I learned something new.</p>
<p>In today’s school newspaper, The Campus, an article was published on the selectivity of the upcoming class ([The</a> Middlebury Campus Blog Archive Admissions rates dip to 17.5 percent](<a href=“http://middleburycampus.com/2010/04/07/admissions-rates-dip-to-17-5-percent/]The”>http://middleburycampus.com/2010/04/07/admissions-rates-dip-to-17-5-percent/)). Amid the factoids offered… </p>
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<p>As to the size of Bi-Hall… it is pretty cool to be flying into Burlington (coming from the west) and actually see the thing from on high. It definitely makes a statement.</p>
<p>Another comment-as a physics major-perhaps 8 in my graduating class-a low number of majors was not a detriment. It meant we got our crackerjack faculty to ourselves, our own offices on the physics floor, and lots of space to set up experiments-TA-ships and summer research opportunities without much competition, which was part of why, as a female in the ancient days of the late 70s, I majored in physics.</p>
<p>We just did the accepted days at Midd and loved it! The research panel (and not just for sciences) on Monday was very interesting. I have enjoyed reading about the great bio and chem depts. on this thread. Can anyone comment on physics (or math, although that is not the focus of the thread)? Thank you!</p>
<p>My son is interested in pursuing a biochemistry major with a Russian minor. How feasible is this at Middlebury? Would the workload be unbearable?</p>
<p>biochem with a russian minor workload would not be unbearable at all. straight biochem is probably the easiest science major at Midd for some reason, and doing a language at the same time works just fine. You can also easily go abroad for at least a semester: the entire year if you plan well.</p>
<p>Seriously? Usually biochem is one of the harder majors. What options are there other than a “straight” biochem major? How difficult is the regular chemistry major in comparison?</p>
<p>My son would be thrilled to be able to go abroad for a semester. I thought it would probably not be possible with a lab science major.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>It is unusual. I’m not saying that it’s an easy major; I don’t know that those really exist at Midd, but it is one of the easier ones by comparison. There are lots of other options, depending on which way you lean on the chemisty-biology scale. I think the closest two would be either a straight chem major or molecular biology and biochemistry (MBBC) major. Personally, I think that MBBC is the way to go. Neither chem nor biochem majors are required to take biology courses, but for me, I can’t really see one without the other, so MBBC is the way to go. It’s truly at the intersection of the two, and depending on which electives you take, you can give your education a leaning toward either chemistry or biology. It’s quite flexible. That being said, because MBBC is at the intersection, students are required to take some of the hardest courses in both disciplines. In that respect, it’s very different than the biochem major.</p>
<p>also a note about study abroad: it’s soooooooo easy at Midd, especially if you want to go on a middlebury program. It will be especially easy for your son because he knows right off the bat that he wants to go abroad, so he can plan accordingly. J-term also adds some more flexibility because organic chem I is offered as a j-term course, so if he falls behind on his chemistry requirements (due to scheduling or something during his first year), he can catch up over J-term. My first year seminar was at the same time as general chemistry I my first semester, but I took J-term orgo, caught up, and went abroad fall of my junior year. I could have stayed abroad the entire year and finished my MBBC requirements, but I chose to come back for summer internship opportunities.</p>
<p>Again, thank you very much for this great info, panthergrad09. MBBC sounds like just what he’s looking for. I’ll pass the info on to him. It’s great to hear there’s so much flexibility with the program and that study abroad is possible even with a science major.</p>
<p>My S is going to Midd for premed/bio, and hoping to go abroad, too.Your info is very helpful, panthergrad.</p>