Academics
Tucked away in bucolic southern Vermont, Marlboro College promises “academic freedom” and a strong “sense of community,” and it delivers both in spades. Students love that their curriculum is entirely “self-directed” in that “you can study whatever you want in great depth.” That’s right—there “are no required classes” here. While the academics are stellar across the board, undergrads make special mention of the “writing program,” which many maintain is “one of the strongest...in the country.” “Small” class sizes are another highlight of a Marlboro education and everyone is privy to “one-on-one attention.” While classes can be “rigorous,” professors here have the uncanny ability to “bring the coursework to life.” They also know how to push undergrads to “work harder and achieve more than [they] ever thought possible.” And they can quickly become both “a mentor and a friend.” As this grateful student concludes, “Marlboro is not only a place to receive a quality education from dedicated, inspiring teachers, it is also a place where you learn to grow as a person, where everyone forgives your flaws and celebrates your victories, so that when you graduate and have to face the world, you are prepared and confident.”
Student Body
Marlboro tends to attract the type of people who could easily be defined as “curious creators” and “intellectual explorers.” Indeed, students proudly proclaim that their peers are “extremely passionate about what they are studying” and really “engage with the material.” Even better, what’s truly “unique about Marlboro is that students don’t just come here to earn a degree so they can get better jobs or progress in their fields; every single person on campus genuinely wants to make a difference, and they actively take charge of their education and utilize it to make a change.” Therefore, it’s not surprising to learn undergrads also report that their classmates are “politically active,” “progressive,” and “very liberal.” Beyond those attributes, the college is a nice mix of “creative-artsy types and outdoorsy-and-environmentally involved students.” Some people do call out the fact that there’s “a disproportionate amount of wealthy people.” However, many also note that diversity, economic and otherwise, is slowly improving. And regardless of their background, undergrads rejoice in discovering that their peers are all “friendly,” “lovable weirdos” who maintain “an unparalleled sense of community and fraternity based on mutual respect and a shared sense of responsibility.”
Campus Life
We won’t mince words; academics definitely take priority at Marlboro. Students frequently assert that “everyone here works very hard.” Nevertheless, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. For starters, many undergrads like to kick back in the “pool room with ping pong and shuffleboard.” They also tend to flock to the Campus Center “where open mics are held and movies are shown.” Additionally, Marlboro hosts weekly events such as “lectures, workshops, informational sessions, and performances.” A number of individuals here are “devoted to activism” as well. In fact, “there are several student interest groups that address specific issues or meet to brainstorm solutions to various social problems on a local and global level.” The college is also great for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s surrounded by “forests” and students love “walking in the woods.” Plus there’s a robust “Outdoor Program” which provides “gear, games, [and] tools” along with sponsored excursions. Of course, it’s not a problem if you’re more of an indoors person. After all, there are plenty of “impromptu game nights” that arise. And once the weekend rolls around, there “are always parties” to be found. Finally, when undergrads are itching for a break from campus life, they can head “to the neighboring town of Brattleboro, where there are book shops, thrift stores, art galleries, etc.”
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