<p>I am wondering about the social life at Middlebury. my S is thinking of applying ED. I hear the school is generally half jocks and half more crunchy kids? True? do different groups mix?
I also heard socializing occurs in small groups in dorms? Are kids inclusive? Will a more quirky kid fit in? do kids hang out with others from frosh dorm? as sophomores with same kids right? does that all work?</p>
<p>you can’t just generalize everyone on campus as a jock or a “crunchy kid”. Remember that Midd is a highly selective school, so your jocks wouldn’t be your typical jock, but possibly a math nerd, musically talented, and an extremely attractive rugby enthusiast. There are more than one dimension to people, and this applies especially for middkids.</p>
<p>Different groups do mix, but I’d say it’s wrong to call them “groups” since there isn’t a clear way to define a person. Going with the jock example, he will have his rugby bros, as well as his math buddies, and his band. And of course, some friends he has just because their personalities click.</p>
<p>Inclusive- yes. Honestly, what do you think Midd is, Duke? Most midd kids are “quirky”. Kids will hang out with anyone they want, whether that means sophomores or other freshmen. You worry too much. </p>
<p>It all works if your kid is willing to make it work.</p>
<p>:) EDing to Midd was the best life decision I’ve ever made, and I hope your son does the same.</p>
<p>Great to hear your response. I did not mean to over generalize. Sounds inclusive and like kids are plenty multi-faceted. My son would probably be more interested in a lecture or hiking than drinking.
I am interested in your comparison to Duke… Exclusionary?
He is looking there too because of strong environmental program.
Thanks for input. Please comment on Duke</p>
<p>I only know Duke from what I searched up when I was applying there (thus only have an outside-view) but the overall feel I got was that Duke was a (smart) elitist bourgeois American white school, with lots of drinking and hard-partying. I also got the impression that racial groups and social classes were extremely separated. I got most of this from *****, if you want to check that out.
I have to remind you though, I honestly don’t know anything about the reality of Duke, I’m just stating the stereotypes and impressions I got.</p>
<p>sorry, that asterisked word was u ni go</p>
<p>and btw, if your son’s looking for a strong environmental program, Midd is a much better choice than Duke. Not only is it’s environmental science program often lauded for, but Midd has (I believe) a 400acre nature reserve at it’s disposal, and is located in a much better place geographically. Midd’s also going to be carbon neutral by 2016, and has been awarded the most environmentally friendly college in the nation.</p>
<p>My older son is not your typical person, wouldn’t want to be told he is quirky, but certainly not crunchy or a jock- he has plenty of friends, and even played intramural sports, where he had a great time even tho he readily admitted he was the worst person on the team. He has leadership roles in ecs in his interest areas and loves being at Midd.</p>