Hi guys,
I was planning on attending Middlebury, but I just got off the waitlist at Vanderbilt. I’m planning on studying computer science, but I am also interested in things such as environmental science, political science, and philosophy. I do not plan on going to grad school after college, and hope to join the workforce right after college. I’m also interested in entrepreneurship, although being a product manager or consultant sounds pretty cool too. Ideally I’d like to end up in the California/Bay Area after graduation ( I’m from the Bay Area).
Based off this info, which school would you guys go with and why? Also, any other insight on either of the schools would be appreciated! I’m kind of panicking about how little time I have to make this decision!!
Here are my thoughts so far:
Middlebury Pros:
Small classes
liberal arts experience
J-term w/ Middcore
Tighter community/ stronger alumni network? (I’m not sure if this is true)
Flexibility w/ classes?
I’ve visited and love the campus + food + all the people were really cool
accesible professors
Vandy Pros:
Larger community/more diverse
larger alumni network
More companies will go to recruit? (I’m not sure if this is true, feel free to confirm or deny this statement)
Better name recognition?
easier to get to (direct flight from California)
(I’ve never visited Vandy and just know a lot less about it in general)
Middlebury Concerns:
Too small for companies to go and recruit at?
Less well known
Vandy Concerns:
Large class sizes in engineering department
lots of requirements for computer science
professors focused on research? (not sure)
Thanks so much! Any input is very appreciated!
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I wouldn’t worry about Middlebury being less well known. Middlebury is extremely well-known and respected. I don’t know much about either school besides they are both great academically. How do you feel about VT in the winter (which will be October- April!)!
I’m pretty sure I don’t mind the cold, but then again I’m from California. I think overall weather is not to big of a factor for me.
I would say these two schools are academic peers. If you want a LAC experience go to Middlebury. If you want a traditional research university’s experience (greek life and all) go to Vanderbilt. Additionally, Nashville vs. Middlebury VT is VASTLY different. One is a nice small college town while one is a large vibrant college city. Internship opps. are relatively similar but due to size and city location, I would edge for Vanderbilt.
Can’t go wrong with either! Congrats and lets us know where you end up going!
Both are great schools. Congratulations! I think you should focus on which environment you would rather learn and grow in over the next four years. Big differences: campus size, class sizes, location (city vs. rural, southern vs. northern climate), Greek life (dominant at Vandy, non-existent at Midd).
D is a CS rising sophomore. She enjoys her experience there. Feels free to pm me so that I can put you in touch with her. She is stayng there doing research.
I can’t seem to pm you. Is she a sophomore at Vandy or Midd? If at Vandy, how big are the CS classes there? I personally don’t think I want to join Greek life. How’s the social life for those who don’t join greek life at Vandy?
Thanks to everyone who has responded!
@SincererLove You would need to PM @baygirl32 to start the conversation as she can’t PM anyone herself until she has at least 15 posts.
I would worry about name recognition. Both are known as quality institutions. Make your decision on where you think your areas of interest will be a better learning experience and where you would prefer to be in terms of environment.
Vandy is a very social school. I’m sure you would find your niche outside Greek life there, but Greek life is very big. Why are you having second thoughts about Midd? On the east coast it has an excellent reputation with very good recruiting. It’s viewed as one of the very top lacs. It would provide a very personal experience, but like others have said your decision should be made on lac vs university
If you prefer more major and class options, a big(ish) city, and varsity sports to watch, pick Vandy.
If you prefer smaller classes, easier access to profs, and a rural and pretty environment, pick Midd.
Both are very good.
There’s cold and there’s really cold. If you are CA it will be a transition but you can handle it. But it’s in a northern. New England rural kind of winter. If youre into skiing or snowboarding midd has its own mountain and very active outdoors club. When I did a recruited athletes weekend at midd years ago my junk box car seized after an especially cold night. I’m no mechanic but I blamed the weather. With no funds available I got a local service station to take it Left it there and hitched hiked home. Yes hitchhiked , that was a thing before uber. So I left there for the relative warmth of Ann Arbor
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You mention engineering…if that’s the college you got into at Vandy then go, Midd doesn’t have it.
I’d choose Middlebury for all the reasons you state, and wouldn’t worry about name recognition or recruiting at all.
The only pro for me with Vandy is the shorter/easier travel to get there.
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Vanderbilt is a superb school in a wonderful city. The CC community seems very committed to and experienced with education in the Northeast that seems to overshadow academic opportunities elsewhere. Read reviews information about Vanderbilt. Now look at Nashville. This is music city with Cheekwood, Percy Warner, Centennial parks, Frist Art Museum, theatre, beautiful neighborhoods, great places to eat, free activities for next to the Cumberland River, professional sports, and tons of options of things to see and do. Nashville is built on an old ocean that results in lots of hills. Was l looking at the yard and neighborhood. Everything grows. Houses are built among towering trees. Flowers abound. Good roads that permit travel to Eastern Tennesee with Smokey Mountains N Natchezational Park and lots of places for vacation. You can get to Atlanta, Mobile, the Carolinas and Louisiana Via Vicksburg, Natchez and on to New Orleans. Vanderbilt and Nashville are unbeatable combo.
If your major is CS, I would recommend Vandy over Midd. I believe Midd has stronger reputation in the Humanities. Most high tech managers probably haven’t heard of Midd, and you won’t find many students with similar interest as yours on campus. One of my closest friends is from Vandy CS and he has a successful career.
As for location, again Nashville is much better as @zannah said above. You can overcome the harsh winter of Vermont, but you can’t overcome the feeling of middle of nowhere.
Thanks for all the input! Does anyone know if the humanities classes at Vandy are primarily discussion based or lecture based?
Since D is CS on premed track, she doesn’t have room to play in her schedule. So far, she has been just premed science classes, math and engineering/CS classes. I think she took some required writing classes, and I’d like to say it is both lecture and discussion. For that class, there was participation grade involved, I think. That class is about 30 kids, if I remember right.
Her science and intro to CS classes are quite big, but with TAs, you are fine.
She also is not in greek life and seems to do well with her social life. Vandy is more diverse than the HS she was in.
Thanks to everyone for the input! I’ve decided on Vandy 