What is a 'fit' at Middlebury?

laxtaxi
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:28:42 +0000

From your second sentence it seems that you are asking about what Middlebury’s admissions people deem to be a good ‘fit’ among applicants (as opposed to asking whether your personality would be a good fit for Middlebury).

First hurdle is exceptional paper credentials. Enough said.

IMO Middlebury looks for signs of intense curiosity and/or commitment. It’s not enough to be involved in lots of varied activities, as this can be seen as just “checking off the boxes” to get into college. Middlebury would be more interested in the applicant who had only a few areas of interest but the interest was deep and pursued rather than superficial. They look for the applicant who will start activities, lead organizations, and interact regularly with the faculty and their peers. The school is remote enough that the intellectual and social satisfaction comes from interaction with one another as opposed to outside stimulae. It is a myth that you have to be an athlete or a preppy, or that you have to love kayaking and mountain climbing.

Don’t know if this helps, but these are my impressions.