Wesleyan, Middlebury, or Haverford?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

<p>I am trying to decide which of these schools to apply to ED.
Before people give me the "ED is only for a clear #1" talk, I am not the kind of student who is "struck" by a certain college. I visited each of these schools, and loved them, above all others, in different ways. Looking at them pragmatically, I see advantages and disadvantages to each. I would like to apply ED to reduce stress and save time in my senior year.</p>

<p>So, where should I go?</p>

<p>Here's who I am:
I am a fairly nerdy, not in a Dungeons and Dragons kind of way, but just a little awkward, more comfortable in a smaller relaxed atmosphere than at big parties, not a big drinker or a varsity-caliber athlete. It would be nice if my school has a similar atmosphere.
For this, Haverford seems best.</p>

<p>I prefer a rural setting to an urban or suburban one (when else in life can I live in beautiful mountains and farmland but still have so many intellectual and cultural resources?). I have lived in the Philly suburbs for my whole life and I'd like to try somewhere new.
For this, Middlebury seems best.</p>

<p>I would like there to be a variety of extracurricular activities going on around campus that are relaxed and open to everyone, rather than people pouring themselves into just one thing (the "work hard, "play hard" attitude I always hear about on tours and in admissions books). For example, I'd like to be able to try debate without committing to major tournaments, or play hockey but just for fun.
For this, Wesleyan seems best.</p>

<p>I am planning on studying government, and I have interests international relations and economics, human rights, and environmental studies. These schools all have great departments in these areas; they all have PoliSci with concentrations in IR as well as environmental studies programs. Haverford has Peace, Justice, & Human Rights; Wesleyan, the College of Social Studies; Middlebury, International Politics & Economics.</p>

<p>My concerns:</p>

<p>Haverford may be confining (even with the Tri-Co consortium), as well as not being a new environment from my home.
Wesleyan may be a little too liberal even for me; I'm not an artist, a hipster, a hippie, or any of the other "alternative" people I saw on campus.
Middlebury, to some extent, looked like all of its students were 7-foot-tall blonde future presidents; again, I'm not that type of person, and I would be more comfortable with a slightly nerdier crowd.</p>

<p>Any advice on which school to pick? I'm sure I would be happy at any of them, but I just need something to push one of them ahead of the others.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>I think you should go with your gut and if your gut is telling you Middlebury, don’t sell yourself short. Even 7 foot tall blondes need wingmen (or, wingwomen, whichever the case may be.) ;)</p>

3

<p>Not to throw a monkey-wrench into this discussion, but have you looked at Carleton? It sounds like a good fit for you. They have PolSci/IR and ES majors, it’s noted for having a quirky, slightly nerdy student body (that’s neither especially hipster, preppy, nor tall-and-blonde), there are tons of student organizations and intramural sports in which the students are heavily involved, and it’s in a small, rural town and has a lovely campus (though it can’t compete with Middlebury’s mountains). You didn’t mention it in your criteria, but it’s also got a reputation for teaching that is second to none (though I think you’d find high-caliber teaching at any of the schools you listed).</p>

<p>My D’s also strongly considering Wesleyan (my alma mater), and Middlebury, but we just got back from an overnight trip to Carleton and she may have found her true love. Just puttin’ it out there…</p>

4

<p>People have suggested Carleton as well as Grinnell and Reed, but my parents want me to stay in the East for easier and cheaper transportation, etc. Thanks for the suggestion though.</p>

5

<p>Though I love all three of these schools and am a Wes alumnus, once more I have to counter the idea that Wesleyan has a certain range of “types” that include mostly “hipsters, artists and hippies”. My son is a freshman there, and I assure you he is none of those and he tells me after a month plus that he loves everything about Wesleyan. I suggest that you dig deeper into Wesleyan’s website to read about things that are going on at Wesleyan as well as looking into the Wesleyan Argus ([The</a> Wesleyan Argus](<a href=“http://www.wesleyanargus.com%5DThe”>http://www.wesleyanargus.com)) and on [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.wesleying.org%5DWesleying%5B/url”&gt;http://www.wesleying.org]Wesleying[/url</a>]. Sure, you will find lots of evidence of a liberal, hip, atmosphere, but Wesleyan is a much more diverse place than that and it is one that truly allows you the choice of being who you want to be.</p>

<p>Now, that being said, another school you might want to look into is Hamilton College—rural like Middlebury, not as “hip and artistic” as Wesleyan, and further away from your home than Haverford—and a bit bigger as well. Hamilton has its own study abroad programs (50% study abroad) as well as an endowed chair in international studies, and it is solid in the social sciences and history. And it has lots of intramural sports, good hockey team. One of my old friends teaches history there, and it is very solid academically, and from spending a couple days there in the middle of winter recently, it appears to have a warm and friendly community. Check it out.</p>

6

<p>@morganhil
I understand that not everyone at Wesleyan is that way- just like not everyone at Middlebury is preppy and not everyone at Haverford is nerdy. I’m sure I could find friends at any of them, it’s just a matter of picking the best overall culture.</p>

<p>I have considered Hamilton, but it has a reputation for the same preppiness as Middlebury, but I do not like the location, size, or academic offerings as much. It’s a good school, of course, and it’s on my list, but not at the top.</p>

7

<p>I would encourage you and others who are trying to choose among great LACs like these to spend real time on campus if you can. Not just the standard tour and info session–although these are essential as first steps. (And a personal interview in the admissions office if you can do so.) I am talking about visiting some classes in session–admissions will tell you how to do that. These stereotypes of “preppy” and “hipster” will start to disappear as you see these colleges with your own eyes. Go into the dining halls and eat the food–preferably away from your parents, so you can have the chance to talk to some kids and see how you feel. Visit the library and see who is there and what they are doing. And if you can afford to spend a night sleeping in a dorm (with the college’s approval and guidance), you will get yet another vital piece of data. For my son, the choice on Early Decision came down between Swarthmore and Wesleyan. After spending a weekend at Swarthmore, he came back and announced, “It’s Wesleyan!” He thought Swarthmore was a great place, but that Wesleyan had more of what he wanted–as he phrased it, “I can do more of what I need to do at Wesleyan.” Other friends of his on the same trip wound up with a different conclusion and a few are now at Swat. Choosing a college–especially when you have the kind of record that allows you to have great choices–is obviously a very personal decision. As his college counselor told me, “This is the first important adult decision he will make.” Thus far it is working out great for him, and I wish the same for you, no matter where you go.</p>