Wesleyan or Middlebury

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

<p>I am now in the process of choosing between Middlebury College and Wesleyan University for the class of 2012 (yes, i know it is past the deadline, it is a long story). These two schools have so much to offer that I am having trouble trying to concretely decide.
I am interested in economics, perhaps international affairs, and languages. I speak chinese proficiently and would like to learn arabic. While I know the language aspect would tip the scales towards middlebury, I am also very interested in the CSS program at Wesleyan. Also, I visited during Wesfest and really like Wesleyan, not to mention the location (yay for not being in isolated vermont). </p>

<p>To sum up my questions:</p>

<p>Which school has a better econ department?</p>

<p>Is the language (Chinese and Arabic) instruction at Wesleyan even comparable to that of middlebury?</p>

<p>Overall, which school is better (I know this is a nearly impossible question to answer) not based on prestige but rather actual quality of instruction?</p>

2

<p>--I think languages are definitely comparable—Middleburry would have a slight edge, but if you’re interested in CSS, that’s something you’re ONLY going to find at Wesleyan (and is totally awesome for those who like it, by the way). And everyone I know who has taken languages here (including Chinese and Arabic) are really happy with it.</p>

<p>If you’re really into the idea of immersing yourself in Chinese, beyond classes and study abroad Wes has a Chinese language program house you could apply to live in Sophomore year or after (I don’t believe we have an Arabic house, but I could be wrong). Wes is also working really hard to make its languages even stronger—we’ve started a summer institute like Middlebury’s, and while I doubt it is as good, and certainly it is not as prestigious, it indicates that languages are a top priority for Wes. </p>

<p>--Econ is REALLY strong at Wesleyan. I don’t know about Middlebury. I’d imagine their comparable, perhaps with an edge to Wes, but perhaps not. Out program tends to be more theoretical and analysis oriented as opposed to practical and business oriented-I’m not sure if Midd is the same about aht or not.</p>

<p>--I think they are both fabulous schools. If you do CSS, I’d give the edge to Wes, just because few programs are a) are so intense and intellectually rigorous and b) promote such close bonds between teachers and students, and students and students as CSS does (and I’m not a CSS major…just REALLY impressed by what my friends who are have done their sophomore year). If you don’t do CSS, I’d say their comparable, and you should chose based on fit…it sounds to me like you like Wes better, but that’s up to you to decide. </p>

<p>On thing to keep in mind, though, is not only is Wes less isolated, but Vermont is a LOT colder (and for longer) than Connecticut. So, depending on how much you like winter, that might sway your choice. (If you’re really into skiing or other winter sports, Midd might be the right choice, but, if you’re like me and are not so big on the long, freezing winters, Wesleyan, while not in SoCal, seems a lot better than Midd).</p>

3

<p>there is an Arabic house; it's called Turath.</p>

<p>General</a> Housing</p>

4

<p>The biggest difference is that Wes is larger and more diverse.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
there is an Arabic house; it's called Turath.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Cool! So, yeah, there you go.</p>

<p>Actually, another thing to think about is housing. I don't know what they have at Midd, but Wes has some pretty sweet options (all on campus): dorms, a TON of program houses, and apparetments and woodframe houses for juniors and seniors. It's pretty cool.</p>

6

<p>and midd's housing is kind of limiting; you are in the same area of campus and living with the same people for four years. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Middlebury</a> Housing</p>