Middlebury vs Tufts?

[Anonymous]

Which would you recommend for a DS interested in English and Chemistry major, really wants to work in a museum in college, wants to write on the student newspaper, enjoys smaller classes but likes diversity, and has Ivy-level stats?

[Anonymous]

Tufts. Their art school is connected to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Middlebury is in the middle of nowhere. No food. No sophtication. We had a great tour guide at Tufts. So interested in so many things.

[Anonymous]

First instinct - Middlebury for English... but Tufts offers access to Boston for museums

[Anonymous]

Are there viable museum options near Middlebury? If that factor is a dealbreaker, that would point to Tufts.

[Anonymous]

Middlebury does have an art museum...

I went there as did one of my siblings, the other went to Tufts. We had a much much better college experience at Midd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tufts. Their art school is connected to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Middlebury is in the middle of nowhere. No food. No sophtication. We had a great tour guide at Tufts. So interested in so many things.

DP. We also had a great tour guide! Theater kid turned engineering major. Single-handedly made my kid interested in the school despite possible pitfalls (somewhat smaller size, seems unexciting, etc).

[Anonymous]

Wasn’t there some huge scandal with middlebury?

[Anonymous]

Nope

[Anonymous]

tufts > middlebury

always was always will be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which would you recommend for a DS interested in English and Chemistry major, really wants to work in a museum in college, wants to write on the student newspaper, enjoys smaller classes but likes diversity, and has Ivy-level stats?

We had the most horrible tour EVER at Tufts, my kid refused to apply, but IMO it perfectly checks all your kids' boxes. Try to tour on a good weather day if possible! (that wasn't the only reason our tour was terrible, but all tours are better in nice weather)

[Anonymous]

Middlebury is NOT a serious school. 90% of students get honors at graduation, half get the highest honors, they have a cheating crisis, and they’ve severely reduced the amount of classes needed to graduate. There’s 0 standards.

[Anonymous]

They're similar in terms of prestige and student stats, with Midd a little better known for English and Tufts better known for chem and connected to museums as PPs have said. I don't think your kid can go wrong but I'd lean Tufts overall.

[Anonymous]

I think people may be misinterpreting. Students don’t have time (and really aren’t that attractive as applicants) to work for big museums while in college. They work at university museums. Where Middlebury is severely lacking is giving their students actual jobs in museum work.

Example of this issue:
What Middlebury offers: https://www.middlebury.edu/museum/teaching-learning/middlebury-students/reception-positions
What Williams offers: https://artmuseum.williams.edu/who-we-are/jobs-internships/
What Pomona offers: https://www.pomona.edu/museum/learn/opportunities
Not giving your students good internships in museums is very telling of a poor quality museum. Your child should go to Tufts.

[Anonymous]

I echo the PP^^.
Also, Middlebury is very small and is in the middle of nowhere. It's heaven if you're a kid who likes that (and probably one who skis) but not all will.
Tufts is medium sized and is an easy public transit trip from Boston.

[Anonymous]

Tufts has a masters level museum studies program. DC could call and ask if undergrads have access to those courses.

It also has the BFA and BFA+ BA program that includes all areas of fine art and museum installation.

And you’d be near Boston, which has wonderful museums obviously.