Middlebury vs. Bowdoin

iddy09
Sat, 19 Apr 2014 23:01:45 +0000

Hi! So I’m currently trying to decide between Midd and Wellesley College. I asked some current students many of the questions here, so let me try to answer!

1. I heard Midd’s orchestra is sort of struggling. In general, its music is sort of weak compared to other LACs. (I play violin and sing, so this was important to me.) However, there are some GREAT performing groups! I know this doesn’t answer your question at all, but I thought I’d put that out there. I know you can take piano lessons, but I don’t know how they compare to those at Bowdoin.

2) Rankings. Bowdoin has a slightly lower acceptance rate (possibly due to its smaller size?) and it’s ranked a little higher on Forbes, but to be completely honest, it’s very very very difficult to differentiate the level of education between the top ten, even twenty, liberal arts colleges. I, personally, do not believe there is a difference in prestige between these two schools.

3) It’s all about the final price!

4) I’m more artsy than athletic as well! This was one of my main reservations. I talked to many students about this, and one girl did mention that often the sport you play (if you play for the college) dominates your social group. That being said, while Midd is very active, not EVERYONE plays a sport, and I actually know one girl who played a sport her freshman year and decided to stop because she didn’t like that her friend group was dictated by this sport. You’ll definitely find your niche!

5) Yes, Midd IS isolated, but I think even in a more “urban” setting like Bowdoin’s, you’ll find you’re going to spend most of your time on campus anyway.

Every school is going to have drinkers and non-drinkers. Your gut instinct is telling you to go to Midd! Go for it! And if we both decide to go to Midd, we could totally be friends! We’re pretty similar!
(I don’t think I’d go to Amherst or Williams over Midd or Bowdoin; not my cup of tea. I also didn’t look into Chicago too much. Sorry!)

Good luck! You can’t make a wrong choice! :)