Hey guys,
I was super excited to be accepted to Midd, but I’m having some slight qualms about having been accepted as a Feb. I’m not sure my family wants to help me finance a gap semester of adventures, and the prospect of staying at home and continuing to work instead of heading off to college is kinda unappealing. Anyone else admitted as a Feb who has thoughts about this? Also, can admitted Febs who don’t think there’s a way to make a gap semester work get on the waitlist for Sept. admission or anything like that (aka is there any way it can lead to regular admission)? Again, I’m so lucky and grateful to have been accepted, but I’m leaning toward other places now because being a Feb is starting to seem like second-rate admission.
Hello there superdog77! I’ve also been accepted as a feb for the 2019.5 class. I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple more schools and am going to compare financial aid offers, but if I do end up matriculating to Midd, I’m planning on spending that time between graduation and Christmas working in Europe (I have dual US-French citizenship).
If that doesn’t work out, I’m also toying with moving down to florida for the time being and scraping by on the beach. The options really are limitless, so just do what you want. Remember: after college, chances are we’re probably going to work every day, year after year, until we retire. This is our one time in our lives to go out and see what we can do.
The Feb program gives us a chance to get some life experience under our belt or try something new before we’re pigeon-holed into choosing a career. I don’t think of it as second-rate admission, rather, I feel like the admissions officers saw in us a drive to take risks and make the most out of life. I’m a little scared to take some time off, but in the end, I know it’ll make one heck of a story.
Superdog, February admission is NOT second rate. There are a million posts on this already, but many view it as a sign that Middlebury felt you were more capable. For some people the gap semester is the best thing that ever happened to them. Take a chance, learn something new, earn some more money, relax, prepare. Good luck!
Thanks – you guys have good points! I really should continue to consider it and see what kind of a plan I could make for a Febmester. I guess there’s no point in missing an opportunity for an adventure.
My oldest Midd son was accepted as a Feb. We didn’t have money for adventures so he worked and attended a local college. He got some required course out of the way, which allowed him to take a semester abroad totally out of his major field later on. He toyed with graduating early but did a double major and honors instead.
He loved his Feb-mates and found the close connections and small group nurturing instead of a drawback. He had no trouble getting involved in several campus groups.
He never would have chosen to be a Feb, but in the end he felt it was an advantage. It was also great for the job market when he got out at a different time than most new grads.
I agree with @OldbatesieDoc and CarpetDiam. The Febs are selected specifically for their adaptability, I think. My son is a Feb, and the months he had in between HS and college were wonderful for him. He worked, but by Feb., he was definitely ready to go back to school. I think working 8 hours a day let the reality kick in a little about what life would (or could) be like after college, or without college. Never again will you have the opportunity to just sit back and make the most of a few months, doing whatever you want to do. Sure, all his friends were at college and talking about their experiences, but I think that just made him all that more anxious to get started in Feb. High school was a lot of work, with little down time, and having some time to yourself, I think, on your own terms, is a good thing when you’re 18. And the point about graduating in Feb. rather than June is, as was mentioned, an added bonus!
And in case you’re wondering, the students on campus already can’t wait to meet the Febs. You will be welcomed with open arms.
I’m a current freshman Feb at Middlebury and I have to say coming here was the best decision of my life. Feb admission is not second rate, everyone in my feb class is amazing. I’ve formed such close bonds with them, its a great community to have. Also, there are so many oppurtunities for your febmester. I was able to get a scholarship that financed mine, other kids worked, or interned or WWOOFed. If there is anything else you’d like to know please message me!