<p>I agree with Urban. I know Cornell has lots to offer, but in your intro class of 275 people, it’s hard to stand out. You also will find most of your work is graded by teaching assistants, and your labs or discussion sessions are not taught by actual professors.</p>
<p>My H went to MIT and Cornell for undergrad and grad school respectively. I went to Bates, of course. He couldn’t believe the contrast in our undergraduate experiences. I went back to Bates a couple years ago and found professors of mine in their offices who knew me by name after more than 20 years! You won’t get that at Cornell. If you have the choice, an excellent LAC will give you a much more personal experience and just as many opportunities as a large Ivy. Go there for grad school. Those are the students to whom they pay more attention.</p>
<p>Between Bowdoin and Midd, not so much. Others may disagree but I find Bowdoin to be much more preppy than even Midd! Bowdoin was not coed until the 70s, so the tradition is more male and old New England frat boy than Midd, which has a longer and more liberal/egalitarian tradition. Both schools have excellent faculty, small class size, and fabulous facilities. Coastal Maine is a bit warmer and cloudier than upstate Vermont. Bowdoin is close to Portland, a depressed NE city, and Midd to Burlington, which is similar. Visit both and make your choice. My boys chose Midd.</p>