Wesleyan vs Bowdoin vs Middlebury. Please Help Me Decide!

Applying to College
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<p>Hey! Something about me. I'm an international student going to college this fall. I've been accepted to Wesleyan, Bowdoin, and Middlebury. Perhaps I'll major in history, foreign languages, or economics.</p>

<p>To me, all of them seem quite alike. All in New England. All have great humanities programs. All in small towns, etc. etc. Actually, here in Singapore, people usually don't recognize liberal arts colleges - perhaps except for Williams. To most of the students here, the only difference is a slight difference in ranking and geological locations (Maine is COLD!) </p>

<p>Since I haven't been able to visit any of them and am not likely to have the opportunity to visit them in this April, I just get my feeling of them from websites and alumni interviews. But it seems like I still need more information to make a decision. I have to make up my mind by the end of this month, so please help me with the knowledge you have about these schools! Is there major difference among them? How do people in America think of them? Can you guys give me some advice about choosing schools?</p>

<p>Thank you so much!!!</p>

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<p>From a pure ranking standpoint Middlebury is the best. Some of the top students in my school aim for there. Wesleyan is a little bit closer to cities than Middlebury’s locale in Vermont. Many people love Wesleyan though but their campus did not give me the collegiate vibe I was striving for in a university. Middlebury, though I have never visited, based on pictures seems to have that older ivy covered quad feel which many students seek in college. I don’t know enough however to tell you about Bowdoin. But if I were to tell you which school seems the best (not just through rankings but through the opinions of people I know) I would say hedge your bets on Middlebury.</p>

3

<p>^Agreed. Middlebury’s a notch above the other two, even if only a notch.</p>

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<p>my older sis goes to Bowdoin and chose it over Middlebury–closer to a city (Portland), and Brunswick is a cool town. She preferred the kids at B.-less “beautiful people”, more down to earth types. But she did love Midd too–hard choice.</p>

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<p>It’s interesting that ladyjanegrey should use the term “university” to describe Wesleyan because it is in fact the most university-like of the traditionally small, New England colleges. Wesleyan students have tended to be more diverse than Middlebury’s and from the moment they step on campus they are given a lot more responsibility over the social scene there. Everything from the film series to weekly band concerts are controlled by students. One dorm, called West College, has its own governing structure and actually gets to pick which freshmen live there each year (the usual stay is for two years.)</p>

<p>And, Wesleyan is located in the biggest of all the host towns in which the OP might be living. In fact, it’s probably the most typically American town of the bunch since it contains white-collar professionals, blue-collar workers and some poorer families, all living within the same general downtown area. If the OP is interested in meeting a cross-section of Americans – not all of whom work for the local college – they will more likely meet them while at Wesleyan. </p>

<p>Wesleyan students begin living in their own homes as early as sophomore year and by the time they are seniors are functioning pretty much like grad students, preparing their own meals in their own kitchens, controlling their own environments. The houses, known as “wood-frames” are generally located near each other, so that there is a nice “student ghetto” feeling to the area. In fact, while Middlebury and Bowdoin students are dependent on dorm parties and “pre-gaming” in their own rooms ALL FOUR YEARS, the average Wesleyan weekend revolves around the house party, which can be as quiet and low-keyed or as rowdy as the residents choose (to a limit.) So, yes, to that extent, the “vibe” at Wesleyan is less LAC-like and a little closer to what you would find at a much larger university.</p>

<p>To the average American, if you mention the name “Wesleyan”, they would probably think of their local church-affiliated college first (there are over thirty colleges, mostly LACs, named after the English churchman, John Wesley – but, the one in Connecticut was the first.) However, among the more cosmopolitan parts of the country, like New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Denver, Wesleyan is quite well-known. Obama gave the Commencement address in 2008.</p>

<p>Academically, Wesleyan is known for its strength in the life sciences (Biology, Chemistry, MBBC and Neuroscience), English, Economics, Film, and, Ethnomusicology. Actually, something superlative could be said about all the departments at Wesleyan.</p>

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<p>Thank you all!!! You’re most helpful!</p>

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<p>They are all excellent schools. However, and this may not be important to you, Middlebury is very remote–from everything. It is in a very small town in the Green Mountains and aside from skiing and activities on campus, there is not much happening there. The facilities and beautiful and it seems to be very well run. It does not have a lot of diversity. Again, this may not be important to you.</p>

<p>Bowdoin is very small, and close to the ocean. It is closer to towns (Freeport–great shopping!) and Portland. Wesleyan is larger than the other two and is the most diverse of the three. It’s known as being a little more artsy than the other two and has a liberal culture. It is fairly close to New Haven (Yale) and it’s not a big deal to go to New York City for a weekend or even the day, if that interests you.</p>

<p>You would get a great education at any of them</p>

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<p>I’d say go for Wesleyan… thats what I would do.
Although Midd is slightly higher ranked, as stated above, it is in the middle of nowhere.</p>

<p>I mean Middlebury, Vermont has absolutely nothing to do except skiing etc. Its going to be cold the entire year etc. etc. Moreover, there is very less diversity outside of the campus- something you might want to consider esp since youre an international. </p>

<p>(i was making that choice too-- and would have chosen wesleyan if I didn’t get into my top choice)</p>

9

<p>Seriously, Middlebury isn’t THAT remote. Burlington is 45 mins away, and the town of Middlebury has most of what you’d need. Middlebury is a picture postcard village with loads of charm. It feels like you just walked onto a movie set. Middletown is closer to NYC, but still far enough away that you would’t go there all that often. There’s nothing quaint or charming about Middletown IMHO. Middlebury’s campus is gorgeous, with views of mountains in every direction. Also, the food at Midd is among the best you’ll find at any college. All of your choices are strong academically. Midd has the largest international student population among your choices.</p>