If child does not want to be a Feb., don’t apply as a Feb. Although, you could still be placed in Feb. class. My student was a Feb. and participated in several programs between high school graduation and starting college. A welcome break after working so hard for four years. Great alternative to full gap year.

Anonymous wrote:My kid was admitted as a Feb and was told that many of the Febs went together on a program in the fall to England to hang out, so they come in very closely bonded.

I am OP and this is interesting, because our tour guide didn’t say that. He had worked on a campaign and DC thought it sounded appealing to do something similar, but it would be almost worse than coming in with a small cohort in Feb to have that very cohort have mostly done the same thing in the fall.

My kid was admitted as a Feb and was told that many of the Febs went together on a program in the fall to England to hang out, so they come in very closely bonded.

Anonymous wrote:What did kids do their first semester if not at Middlebury? I’d worry at a small college it would mean a number of intro level courses were not offered in the spring thereby affecting the path to satisfying major/grad requirements.

Not a worry at Middlebury. This is like 20% of their student body. They don't leave them scrambling to graduate on time.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Febs are mostly private school kids, but maybe it’s just Middlebury has a lot of private school kids

I don't know the stats but 20 years ago there were plenty of Febs who had gone to public school.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Febs are mostly private school kids, but maybe it’s just Middlebury has a lot of private school kids

At least for schools with international programs in fall for spring admits, it seems like only full pay students. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s also true for spring admits here. They need to be able to support themselves for the fall. That could be tough for some kids. Anyone know?

I was a September admit and had a Feb roommate because things didn't work out with my first.

The Febs had no trouble making friends. The first semester they worked, took classes, volunteered, etc.

What did kids do their first semester if not at Middlebury? I’d worry at a small college it would mean a number of intro level courses were not offered in the spring thereby affecting the path to satisfying major/grad requirements.

I feel like Febs are mostly private school kids, but maybe it’s just Middlebury has a lot of private school kids

Anonymous wrote:I was a Feb Freshman and had a great experience. The only downside was that my roommate was kind of annoying--her first roommate had obviously asked for a transfer. But the upside was that after my parents drove away, and I wiped away my tears, I marched myself across the hall to introduce myself to a fellow Feb, who is one of my best friends to this day (30+ years later). Plus I made plenty of friends who had started in September. And the Fed graduation on skis is a hoot. I loved Middlebury and never felt "less than" for being a Feb.

I was one 25 years ago and loved it. Yes, it’s kinda weird coming in the middle of the year but the great thing is that there are 100 other kids in the same boat so you all form a tight bond. I still made tons of friends who came in September but my fellow Febs are the ones I tend to hang the most with at reunions, it’s just a bind we have despite having gone separate ways after that first semester. I also never felt any less for being a Feb. in fact, I think some kids were a little jealous that we had interesting experiences freshman fall and then had such a tight group.

I was a Feb Freshman and had a great experience. The only downside was that my roommate was kind of annoying--her first roommate had obviously asked for a transfer. But the upside was that after my parents drove away, and I wiped away my tears, I marched myself across the hall to introduce myself to a fellow Feb, who is one of my best friends to this day (30+ years later). Plus I made plenty of friends who had started in September. And the Fed graduation on skis is a hoot. I loved Middlebury and never felt "less than" for being a Feb.

What do they typically do first semester?

And they get to graduate in February by skiing down their mountain. so fun!

Febs acclimate very well. They are a distinct group as freshman but are very much a part of the community.

We toured Middlebury and the tour guide talked up the February admits as a unique and positive opportunity (our guide had been one), and said he’d had no trouble acclimating socially. DC was intrigued by this idea but I worry there will be missed bonding and social and club integration opportunities by matriculating a semester off from most students.

If your child has done this, can you please speak to their experience and whether they’d do it again.

Thanks.