Middlebury vs. Chicago and JHU

Aron20
Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:16:53 +0000

Hi everyone. I’m considering my college prospects across the ocean in Amsterdam but my options just make my head spin. I was accepted at the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and Middlebury College. I still need to decide between going to a liberal arts college and a research university, but this is the perfect place for discussion.

I want to major either in the Humanities or International Relations (broad interests I know) for which Hopkins, Middlebury, and Chicago would all be great. From what I’ve read though often the holistic experience matters more in undergraduate years than departemental reputations. All schools seem challenging.

Hopkins provides freedom, research opportunities, and the advantage of less graduate students. Chicago has a structured Core Curriculum, the life of the mind, and a sprawling wealth of opportunities. Middlebury offers a nurturing environment, caring professors, and personal attention.

All of these schools say that they want you to succeed, but one environment may force me to sink or swim and another may make me a big fish in a small pond. Its difficult imagining life at any of these schools being so far away. I’ve survived as an expat by learning how to adjust, but that flexibility does not help in making this personal decision.

Any advice would be cherished.