Grinnell vs. Middlebury

revolversun
Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:41:20 +0000

I wouldn’t call it such an immediate no-brainer…

rustycamino, I also applied to Middlebury this year and was admitted. I am choosing, however, to attend Macalester College instead as I feel that it offers a strong international program that can be compared to Middlebury’s. International Affairs and languages are Middlebury’s claim to fame, but similar to what M’s Mom said, I felt that Middlebury wasn’t as socially diverse and rewarding as some of the midwestern schools such as Mac, Grinnell, Oberlin, etc.

I didn’t apply to Grinnell (though in hindsight, I wish I did.) I have friends there who constantly rave about how fantastic it is. They like the community feel of campus and the variety of events on campus given how “remote” the school is. I imagine Grinnell wouldn’t feel remote given its plethora of “going ons” on campus.

In terms of academics, you can’t go wrong with either. Both schools are top private schools with an excellence in academics. While Middlebury touts its “internationalism” and “diversity” as major draws, the place didn’t feel as such when I visited…Yeah, good study abroad and international student population, but so what? A lot of schools (Grinnell included!) have good study abroad options and international populations. Now, Midd’s language schools are renowned and very, very good…But do you want to study language? Is that what you plan to major in?

I can’t really be more helpful until I know more of what you want to study…Or, as bigman mentions, what reservations or quandaries you have. My gut feeling is to say Grinnell as it offers the same academic experience and quality of facilities as Middlebury, but also has, imo, a friendlier, less northeastern snob-like student body. Kids at Middlebury struck me as very smart and passionate people who all look beautiful and want to create a perfect image of a school and education, and are more concerned with where Middlebury will take them post graduation; not the 4 year experience Middlebury offers. I also like Grinnell’s breadth of course offerings and lack of general requirements. This really does allow for a genuinely intellectual and curious student body at Grinnell who are in classes that they want to take and are always engaged. Middlebury is like this too, but again, that sense of brand-name pervades…