<p>Hello College Confidentialites,</p>
<p>I've heard so many amazingly wonderfully fabulously fantastic things about Midd. I believe in and agree with all of them so far, haha. What do you think it lacks? What, in your opinion is the <em>wOrSt</em> thing about Middlebury?
Or.
Worst thingS?</p>
<p>The worst thing about it is that it’s so hard to get in nowadays that tons of qualified applicants get rejected each year.</p>
<p>In my son’s case, the worst thing was lack of financial aid. Some peer LACs, as well as Brown, gave him between $15 and $20K in need-based aid, and Midd gave him nothing.</p>
<p>Some people (son included) don’t like Midd’s campus, though for many (probably the majority) that’s one of the main draws. </p>
<p>Midd also has less racial/ethnic diversity than some peer LACs (i.e., Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin).</p>
<p>I was unimpressed with Midd’s dining hall food when I visited. There was a good salad bar, but not much selection otherwise, and the quality of the food I had wasn’t very good as compared to some of the other colleges where I ate (Bates, Bowdoin, Grinnell).</p>
<p>Notwithstanding, Midd is one terrific LAC.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about their Financial Aid…</p>
<p>It is rural, so it doesn’t have a city, but I personally think the town is very cute little college town. </p>
<p>As for counterpoint on diversity- I think it’s best to go with facts:</p>
<p>Comparing only Midd and Williams’ diversity numbers in the 2009-2010 common data set, suggests that of first year only students, Midd has a class size of 55 more students than Williams and 46 more white/non-hispanic students. So… basically you’re looking at 9 more white students at Midd. Overall, Midd has over 100 more international students and about 100 less African American than Willams. Interestingly, Midd has 150 students who are “race unknown” and yet Williams has zero. Not sure what that says sociologically, but there’s probably a theory or two there as to what kind of students Midd might draw that don’t define themselves by their race or something. I really don’t know. However, the bigger point really is unless you are only comparing african american populations, I for one really hate the diversity questions when it’s really very much statistically equivalent.</p>
<p>Food: Food is about opinion and my kid actually really likes Midd’s food, and in talking to his friends and comparing their food in general, the dining hall hours or their food plans, he feels like he’s got a very good thing. So, since my kid eats there three and four times a day (unlimited food plan), he should know better vs me whose only eaten breakfast there one time a year ago (not exactly a meal you can truly mess up). However, I will say that Bowdoin is particularly well know for great food. But I like that my kid’s not going thru an extra 100 bucks a month on food because dining hall is closed or he didn’t get enough to eat throughout the day.</p>
<p>What they don’t have however is club sports besides Rugby and Crew. To be honest, with all the athletes that attend the school in general, there should be more opportunity for those students who want to play at the club level to play. For example, for how many kids they end up cutting from their lacrosse team alone, they could have a very competitive team without the same level of commitment as varsity sports. Soccer has no club either, but at least they have a JV. Girls lacrosse has JV, but not the men’s program. I think it tends to promote too much of a culture of you’re either an athlete or you’re not… which isn’t quite accurate for all those kids who would STILL play if there were outlets to do so.</p>
<p>In comparing diversity, I look at the percent of students of color in the student body, which is how I’ve always seen it done.</p>
<p>According to the latest available CDS, about 20.7% of Midd’s class entering in 2009 were students of color (AA, Hisp., Asian, NA). These included about 3.2% AA, 9.62% Asian, 7.3% Hisp., and 0.5% NA. <a href=“http://www.middlebury.edu/media/view/262262/original/cds2009_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.middlebury.edu/media/view/262262/original/cds2009_2010.pdf</a></p>
<p>The same class for Williams was about 33.9% students of color: about 10.2% AA, 13.32% Asian, 10.22% Hisp., and 0.15% NA. <a href=“http://provost.williams.edu/files/2010/01/CDS2009_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://provost.williams.edu/files/2010/01/CDS2009_2010.pdf</a> </p>
<p>I don’t think the two are “statistically equivalent.” Midd’s diversity compared to some other schools (Amherst and Swarthmore) is even less favorable. Of course, Midd does have more diversity than some others.</p>
<p>Even when you throw in internationals for both, Midd’s diversity would be about 30.8% (10.1% internationals in class of 2013) compared to about 39.5% for Williams (5.65% internationals). </p>
<p>Disclosure: I have no vested interest in either Midd or Williams (though I once was accused on this board of working for Midd’s admissions office :)).</p>
<p>I am not saying the point is even relevant here, but when we equate diversity only by skin color, we are missing the boat, or at least undermining it’s worth.</p>
<p>I have to say that although Bowdoin is known for great food I remember the dining area as being a little cave-like. Ross dining hall, which Middlebury doesn’t always show on tours maybe because they just renovated the other one, has a soaring ceiling, views of the mountains and lots of window seats. And as Modadunn says, kids can go in at almost any time of the day so it is important as a social space where you might just get coffee or a cookie in between you regular meals. Agreed, though, that the town (although it has more restaurants and is a little bigger than some college towns) is not close to a City which might have a downside for some. And the campus is a little spread out which most people like but some might not.</p>
<p>There are a ton of things I can think of that I don’t like about Midd. The campus is not under the palm trees of a tropical beach, not EVERY class is taught by a Nobel Laureate, tuition isn’t free. This is too easy.</p>
<p>with all humility, my impressions of Middlebury suggest a wonderful and vibrant school with fantastic facilities for both faculty and students. with regard to diversity, it’s not for everyone. both sons, during their visits, decided this beautiful and enticing campus was not for them. you’d have to ask them, but amongst the reasons i think the art and alternative lifestyle scene was slightly lacking. many bright, creative, and passionate kids choose schools other than Middlebury for whatever reasons. i guess it’s called ‘fit’ . . . they both found schools in Brunswick, Me. and Boston which suited their needs and are happy, challenged, and engaged. </p>
<p>i don’t know what ‘cave-like’ means, but the dining hall at Bowdoin strikes me as anything but. . </p>
<p>[File:96-9862</a> e02z.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:96-9862_e02z.jpg]File:96-9862”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:96-9862_e02z.jpg)
[Facilities</a> (Bowdoin, Dining)](<a href=“http://www.bowdoin.edu/dining/facilities.shtml]Facilities”>http://www.bowdoin.edu/dining/facilities.shtml)</p>
<p>to the OP, visit if you can and come up with your own insights.</p>
<p>The worst thing about Middlebury for me is the cost of airfare and limited flights from Burlington VT and the lack of transportation to any kind of airport, etc. When we first looked at the school there was a direct flight “home.” Thats gone missing and the flights are either very early or very late and all are very expensive. Flying in and out of Boston or even Albany would be an option if there were more ways to actually get there (Since said kid doesn’t have a car on campus). No passenger trains (although there is the track and used to be). So… yep… just the logistics of the place is kind of a pain in my wallet.</p>
<p>My sons both think the food is very good.One is a meat and potatoes guy, the other eats organic/local/semi-veg. I’ve eaten there several times now and have been impressed. The view from Ross is fabulous. The real maple syrup and local bacon for breakfast on the weekends is great.Most of the food is home-made and is very tasty, plus nutritious.
They both played intramural soccer and had a blast. There is also plenty of opportunity to play other sports, quiddich being rather noteworthy.
The lack of transportation is a drawback, but amtrak does come nearby, and students with cars seem willing to give rides/pick up. There is no serious shopping.
They don’t complain about much. In fact, they both are thrilled with the good fortune(and hard work) that brought them there.</p>
<p>@sunmachine</p>
<p>I thought Middlebury met 100% of demonstrated financial need. Could I ask what income bracket you’re in? I was thinking of applying ED to Middlebury as a reach school, but I don’t want to get stuck there with a bad deal.</p>
<p>My D fell in love with Middlebury after looking at many schools. It is harder than most schools to access - she flies into Burlington and takes a bus or taxi to campus. We decided that we could deal with the commute. She is a sophomore and loving it, and getting to and from the campus hasn’t been all that bad. I can’t think of anything else that hasn’t been great about Middlebury.</p>
<p>Kudryavka,</p>
<p>Yes, Middlebury and its peers will meet 100% of demonstrated need. The “catch” is that each college will use its own formula to determine your family’s need, and these determinations may vary widely. In our case, Midd determined that our need was zero. A few of its peers determined that our need was around $20K per year. Still others were somewhere in between. </p>
<p>Our family’s EFC according to FAFSA was just over $30K, meaning that according to FAFSA our need was about $20K for Midd and its peers, which have a COA of over $50K per year.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that applying ED to any college is risky since it’s hard to know how it will calculate your need. This is not unique to Midd. Perhaps you will get all you hope for; perhaps not.</p>
<p>Sunmachine,</p>
<p>How messed up do you think their formula actually is? Just an opinion is fine, even if you don’t know exactly how it works. I’m coming from a 4 member family, my brother’s a year older than me and in college as well, and we’re in the lowest income bracket above the poverty line. Our EFC is nil, and if Middlebury expects us to pay a large portion anyway, we’re not gonna be able to afford it at all. A large part of the reason I chose Middlebury as my first choice was that they supposedly meet 100% of financial need. Do you think I should still apply ED?</p>
<p>I would not apply ANYPLACE ED if the size of financial aid packages was critical to your ability to attend. They just vary too much. I would go EA to a mid-tier school like Kalamazoo to have one offer in the bag, and then compare everything against it.</p>
<p>Sorry, but I have no idea what your FA award from Midd would look like; can only tell you our experience. Your experience could be much different, I just don’t know.</p>
<p>You can fill out the estimated efc form on line, and the answer should be about right, and sounds like in your case will be zero. Midd is need-blind for admissions for American students and if you are accepted, will meet 100% of your need. We have 2 kids at Midd, are by no means poor, and get aid because our EFC is equal to about 1 entire tuition. The only issue to my thinking is what percent would be loan vs. grant. Honestly, you sound like a diversity candidate, and I would e-mail/call admissions and ask to speak to someone specifically. I wouldn’t rule out applying ED if you can get the info you need, and I think you can.</p>
![http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:96-9862_e02z.jpg]File:96-9862](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:96-9862_e02z.jpg%5DFile:96-9862){kind=link}
