Middlebury College (Midd)

Middlebury College ensures that its students are "both socially and intellectually prepared for the world" by providing a first-class education and "the encouragement to make sure students succeed." Most known for its programs in environmental science, English, and international studies, Middlebury encourages "global thinking" and touts academic programs with an "emerging focus on creativity and entrepreneurship." For instance, Middlebury's Bread Loaf School of English hosts summer intensives that attract international educators, writers, and translators. Students appreciate that the winter term in January provides a month-long opportunity for students and professors to focus on just one subject. Such programming "allows you to develop" communication, writing, creativity, and critical thinking skills "in whatever subject or subjects that one is most passionate about." The "truly top-notch" professors are "brilliant academics, but they are also adept teachers and classroom leaders." While professors care about research, they prioritize teaching"Middlebury expects both; most professors deliver." Students note that the "academics are reputed to be "very intense" ("If you haven't done the reading, prepare to be called out for it") but also that "students reliably enjoy their classes." Middlebury also encourages creative thinking regarding academics by providing "institutional support for whatever... idea might strike you."

With just under 3,000 undergraduates, the Middlebury student body is "a perfect blend of intellectual curiosity, responsible living, and fun." Known as Midd Kids, students are apt to be "well-read, outgoing," and "engaged, active." They often pursue "at least one major, a minor, and [are] the star of at least one sports team or special interest group, but usually more." In joking agreement, another student describes their peers as "bright kids doing too many things-all of them good, none related to sleep." Midd Kids don't "take themselves too seriously, but do take serious initiative." While driven, Middlebury students cultivate a "super-friendly and caring" atmosphere and "compete with themselves, not their classmates." Undergrads here tend to be "well-rounded students from stable backgrounds" who "know how to hold a conversation and [are] open to new experiences." So sociable is the scene on campus; one student confesses that "with all the different friends you will make," it's hard to find time for everything.

Located between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks, Middlebury College has a vibrant social scene. "Most people actually choose not to go into cities on weekends because they would hate to miss what's going on on-campus." It's also fair to say that the social scene is "very centered around athletic teams." Middlebury boasts 31 NCAA varsity teams and reports that 28% of students participate in varsity sports. The Vermont location is a plus: Twelve miles east of Middlebury's main campus, the Bread Loaf campus features 30,000 acres of forest and is a base camp for students interested in skiing, snowshoeing, and fatbiking. "At the end of the day, we all just like to get together and hit up the Snow Bowl to go skiing," shares one Middlebury student. Overall, it's hard to overstate "how important the outdoor experience is for the school."

Indoors, students rave about dorms that are "gorgeous." There is even one called the Chateau, modeled after the largest chateau in Fontainebleau, France. There are no traditional fraternities or sororities on campus, but students connect through Middlebury's more than 200 student organizations, student government, on-campus newspaper, and Middlebury Outdoor Programs, which provides students gear and support for enjoying the local environs. As one student says: "If you've got free time in your day at Middlebury, you're doing something wrong."