Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT, USA

Reviews

Middlebury College

Ryan

accepted here and planning to attend soon
19 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Bang for the buck
The price of tuition is one of the most expensive in the country. Furthermore, Middlebury does not offer merit-based scholarships.
Tips for prospective students
Ask to sit in on classes that seem interesting to you. Teachers are very open-armed and helpful to prospective students, as is the admissions office.
Great for these types of students
Middlebury's rural setting may be a difficult adjustment for students from fast-paced urban areas, like NYC. However its agrarian surroundings and confluence with nature lends to a great sense of peace. It is a great school for students who are looking to be active and outdoors at a school rich with both culture and history.

The Greek system of fraternities and sororities has long since been extricated from Middlebury. Students who are looking for a close, tight knit and highly motivated community would greatly enjoy Middlebury.

Sarah from Denver, CO

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Middlebury is an energetic and engaged campus full of people who take their education seriously. While the focus on academics is undeniable, it's not all work - Midd is situated in beautiful Vermont with countless opportunities for skiing, backpacking, and biking, and the student body is a vibrant and fun group that lives by the work hard - play hard mentality. With a strong reputation for academics, a notable commitment to the environment, and a campus full of some of the most fascinating people you'll ever meet, this school is a great pick.
Tips for prospective students
- Take advantage of all the opportunities offered by Midd - in academics, extracurriculars, volunteer opportunities, outdoor heritage - get all you can out of it!
Academic Rigor
Middlebury students tend to be very laid-back but make no mistake - they're some of the most intense, most serious, hardest working students around.
Dorm Life
Midd is consistently ranked as one of the colleges with the best dorms. From Starr Hall featuring skylights and wood panelling to The Chateau, a palatial French-style building with rooms featuring wooden floors and balconies, the dorms at Midd are spacious and offer great views! There are lots of events for your commons/building/floor that allows everyone to get to know each other and become great friends.
Food and Dining
Midd food is amazing. Lots of the ingredients are locally sourced and organic, and Midd offers a wide range of foods for everyone - even people with dietary needs (i.e. gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Halal, etc). Every day it's like eating in a restaurant.
What to do for fun
Most of Middlebury's social life is centered on campus. There are plenty of events, dinners, music and art shows, what have you. Small town Middlebury features some good shopping and classic dining while close-by bigger cities Burlington and Montreal offer a nice urban getaway. Not to mention the great outdoors, the beautiful Adirondacks and Green Mountains right in your backyard! Middlebury even has its own ski mountain. Many students love to get outdoors to relax.

Ellen

accepted here and planning to attend soon
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Midd has been my top choice since fourth grade. Its language programs are the best in the country. Every faculty member and student that I have met has been amazingly supportive and intelligent.
Tips for prospective students
Vermont really isn't that cold!
What to do for fun
I am so excited that middlebury is one of only two colleges in the country that has its own ski area!
Bang for the buck
Although Middlebury is very expensive, it is totally worth it. Plus, they are well-endowed and fair with financial aid.

Liza

accepted here and planning to attend soon
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Despite the small student population, there are so many academic options available. Many of the departments are respected throughout the world.
One of the major reasons I decided to apply was the Spanish class I observed on an overnight visit. The immersing style was so wonderful and much more realistic than my experiences in high school Spanish.
Will enjoy being here
It's Vermont! It's beautiful! Ahh, I cannot wait for winter to try out the snow bowl!
Also, I'm used to small classes so I'm excited to be in a small and intimate setting again.
Bang for the buck
Well, yes, it's very expensive. I will be working my tail off all summer to pay for it.
Tips for prospective students
-Visit! overnight if you can
-eat at the dining hall. It allows you to observe the social life and the types of people that attend with seeming like a total creeper. And also, the food is amazing.
-check out the panoramic views from the chapel, if that doesn't catch your attention I don't know what else will.
Great for these types of students
-quirky, intelligent, passionate, athletic, outdoorsy, motivated, oh and realllyyy attractive.

Sarah from the Midwest

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Middlebury is an awesome school, with great diversity, atmosphere, and intellect. Even though I am just a freshman, I find there are plenty of opportunities for me to get involved on campus. I would love to see more midwesterners here!
Tips for prospective students
Definitely remember the importance of staying involved in high school. In your application, try to show your personality, and excitement for life. Remember to show that you are well rounded. Becoming a Feb is always a great option!
Academic Rigor
Even though I came from a tough private high school, I find Midd to be intense academically. The nice thing is that everyone enjoys working hard, and this is not a competitive school whatsoever. If students are stressed, it's because they bring it on themselves.
Dorm Life
The Commons System really makes Midd unique. There is a lot of attention and focus put on the people you live with your first two years here. This helps to create a really nice sense of community on campus.
Food and Dining
The food is great! As a vegetarian, I have never had a problem finding good healthy food. Midd also prides itself in finding awesome local food to advertise. There are 3 dining halls on campus, and one Grille.
What to do for fun
I love the outdoors, and I have found plenty of time to hike and ski around campus. We are 1 of 2 schools in the USA with our own ski mountain! I also have been involved with clubs on campus, and Community Friends, which is a system similar to Big Brother, Big Sister.
Bang for the buck
It is expensive, but worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Favorite study spot: The greenhouse on the 6th floor of BiHall.
Great for these types of students
Outdoorsy!
Clubs and Activities
Lots to do!
Greek Life
None :)

sydney from windham, ny

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
middlebury is the prettiest college campus i have ever set foot on. i love going to school here. the professors are lovely, the opportunities abound and i feel like my classes and conversations are meaningful.
Tips for prospective students
midd loves people who show interest! visit, or, if you can't write them an email explaining how much you love the school. if you are deferred ed, do not give up hope! reach out to admissions once or twice to show that the school remains your top choice. that being said, midd is a very rigorous and academically challenging place. make sure you are prepared for that!
Academic Rigor
i am not going to lie, middlebury is a tough school. however, how challenging you find your course load depends a great deal on you and where your interests lie. as a chemistry and math double major, my classes are hard, good grades do not come easy and i have a lot of work to do. i try to balance my stem classes out with more traditional liberal arts classes. there are some amazing lower intensity classes in lots of departments that will get you thinking without adding too much to your workload.
Dorm Life
midd's dorms are beautiful and there are lots of rooming options after freshman year, from social houses to language houses to apartments to traditional singles and doubles. i came in as a feb, so i have never lived in a freshman dorm, but i hear they are amazing communities!
Food and Dining
two words. open dining. midd does not have meal plans. when the dining halls are open, any student can go in and eat as much as they want for as long as they want with no swipes, counting meals or cash needed. i can not underestimate how wonderful this is. the dining halls are very social spaces that are open to everyone, there is no need to stress about running out of meals! the food is also quite good, with numerous vegetarian options. i have worked with dining (in the bake shop) and i know that they are more than accommodating for an specific student needs. you can even send them recipes and they will make your favorite dish for the campus!
What to do for fun
middlebury is the place to be for nature lovers. hiking, swimming, skiing, mt biking and more are just a few minutes away, and it is all accessible by walking or free shuttle. campus is also always bustling with concerts, plays, musicals and other events!
Bang for the buck
middlebury is a full need met school. this means that i attend a prestigious, private liberal arts college lovingly referred to as club midd for next to nothing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
the middlebury snowball- middlebury owns its own ski mountain, which is just 20 minutes from campus and features 1000ft of vertical and three lifts. a shuttle runs there multiple times a day in the winter. the ski patrol there is also entirely middlebury students!
Great for these types of students
outdoorsy, adventurous, engaged
Clubs and Activities
middlebury really has something for everybody, from league of legends club to musical theatre to student government to the infamous frisbee team and mountain club. cliche as it may sound, i found my people at middlebury.
Greek Life
there is none! and i love that! taking its place are the inclusive social houses.

Olivia from Binghamton, NY

researching this school
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Tips for prospective students
Go for a visit and be active. If you are taking a tour, don't simply linger around the back of the group and walk around the campus. Ask questions. Keep up with your tour guide. I visited several colleges this summer and no one seems to ever want to be the first one to go through the door after the guide, or be at the head of the pack. Get involved!
If you are going on multiple college visits, keep a notebook and jot down some important facts about the campus, positive and negative things, to help you make decisions later on. After a few visits, different colleges do tend to meld together and you forget the little things that you thought were cool.
Academic Rigor
I have been told that students at this college can expect to have even more work than Ivy League students.
Dorm Life
The dorms here seemed average, with a questionnaire system to determine roommates. I believe there was a system so groups of students with similar interests or majors would live near each other.
Food and Dining
Dining sounded great, and as a vegetarian there seemed to be plenty of options that I'd be able to choose from.
What to do for fun
I asked my tour guide about unique clubs at Midd, and the running club that runs around campus singing in Swahili sounded like a lot of fun for all. The school's skiing facility sounded great.
Bang for the buck
This school is one of the priciest in the country, especially since it does not offer merit scholarships. However, I was assured that they are generous with financial aid.
Great for these types of students
Dedicated, ambitious students who want a degree from a renowned university. You must be a hard worker. Also great for outdoorsy and active students.
Clubs and Activities
Some clubs that sound interesting include Swahili running club Mchaka Mchaka, Quidditch, and the Middlebury Mountain Club. There are at least 8 a capella groups on campus. There are many community service groups active on or though Middlebury.
Greek Life
None! A refreshing change; there is no pressure here to join a sorority or fraternity.

Aori from Monterey, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A bustling, environmentally-friendlier college full of life, ideas, and breathtaking people. The college has a diverse student body that comes from different countries or states, speaks at least two languages in most cases, and is passionate about different causes. Not only are the students beautiful, but so is the surrounding community and natural scene.
Tips for prospective students
1. Ask questions and double-check if you're unsure about something. People here are very helpful.
2. Make a list of clubs you may want to join so you don't feel overwhelmed by all the opportunities.
3. Contact your professors and coaches and let yourself be known.
Academic Rigor
Some say that this college gives out more work than ivy league schools, so be careful! Learn to manage your time!
Dorm Life
People here are generally friendly and so you have a great roommate your first year. Second year and beyond, most people can get singles or share large suites.
Food and Dining
The food's good and varied not only in the dining halls but when different groups host their own dinners. The town also has some restaurants.
What to do for fun
Lots. No matter who you are, you'll find groups or people who share your sense of style of fun. Every week and day, presentations, games, parties, and meetings happen on this campus. You will not be bored.

Carmen from Laguna Hills, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Middlebury College is a small university where students can complete their education successfully. Professors are professionals who care about helping students advance. The Vermont campus is wonderful and has all the facilities one needs.
Tips for prospective students
Students should enjoy all the opportunities to diversify their knowledge through guest speaker events, foreign movies, even having meals at the cafeteria.
Academic Rigor
Master level classes are challenging and interesting
Dorm Life
Small rooms but they have windows with nice views
Food and Dining
Many food options during breakfast
What to do for fun
The campus is located near the downtown of Middlebury so visiting the bars, coffee places or just the nice town square is fun.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
unusual locations for me was the observatory room
Great for these types of students
studious and high achievers
Clubs and Activities
movies are shown in different languages and weekend activities include dances
Campus Safety
there are security personnel around most of the day

Hannah from Falmouth, ME

researching this school
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This school just gives off an incredibly passionate vibe. The campus is gorgeous (especially in the fall) and people generally seem to be extremely invested in the things that they love to do. I think staff also made an effort to highlight the most unique aspects of their school, which was wonderful.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely visit Midd! Based on a great deal of research, I decided that I wanted to apply (due to pretty much every aspect of the school), but my campus visit was great. It allowed me to be more confident in my decision to apply because I could genuinely see myself taking on the role of a Middlebury student. The information session was particularly inspiring.
Food and Dining
I'm a vegan and my tour guide made sure to emphasize that there is food in the dining halls to cater to basically any dietary need.
Bang for the buck
This school is definitely expensive, but, to me, it seems worth it.
Clubs and Activities
$1 million is set aside every year to go toward clubs/activities on campus.
Greek Life
There is no Greek life.