<p>I really like both these schools. Academically I think Middlebury is perfect for me, I love languages and creative writing, two areas for which Middlebury is really well-known. However, I've heard that Middlebury is jocky and a bit of a party school. I am not a jock, I am attracted to the "quirky" student body at Wesleyan I keep hearing about. Also, I am gay and I hear Wesleyan is very gay-friendly and Middlebury is less so. </p>
<p>Does anyone know if my information is accurate? Is it worth going to a slightly, though just slightly, lower ranked school (#5 vs #12) because I'm gay/different? Does anyone know just how gay-friendly/unfriendly Middlebury is?</p>
<p>Middlebury, along with most other liberal arts schools, is very gay friendly. Don’t worry too much about that. The party scene isn’t based on the jocks either, and honestly if you don’t like to party I don’t think you’ll be pressured at either school. It’s not about rank (I think Wes and Middlebury are quite similar academically), but if you want to study language, I’d pick Middlebury over Wes.</p>
<p>I’ve visited both schools (Wes three times actually since it’s so close to my home) and I would actually say that Middlebury seemed just as if not more quirky and gay-friendly than Wesleyan did. Of course both schools are extremely open. And I agree that rankings mean nothing. The schools are incredibly similar academically. But yes, if you’re leaning towards languages, Middlebury is the way to go.</p>