<p>Middlebury’s February graduation is one of many gripes I have about the college. Why does the administration assume that all Midd students either know how to ski or can afford to? Skiing is a relatively privledged sport, and I would be shocked if everyone in the February class skis. This, in addition to many other things, is why I was turned off to Middlebury…it’s too similar to a country club. </p>
<p>Also, I agree with brassmonkey’s statements about the intellectual atmosphere at Pomona versus Middlebury. In my opinion, Middlebury is a “hot school” that has benefitted from a recent surge in applications and skews admissions data to appear to be more selective. It is a school that’s on the rise while Pomona is well established. Also, I observed a mid level Environmental Studies course when I visited Midd and it was a joke. Almost everything that the teacher discussed was common sense, and the students were not engaged. I found the classes and professors at Amherst, Pomona, Williams and Swarthmore much more stimulating. </p>
<p>Overall, I think that Williams, Amherst, Pomona and Swarthmore are the best liberal arts colleges in terms of academics and selectivity. You can’t beat the intellectual atmosphere at any of these schools.</p>