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FactsSlang
- Adirondack Circle - Parking circle at the top of College Street and in front of the Adirondack House.
- Block Draw - When you are drawing for a block, you are essentially drawing for a suite. In the past, the person with the highest number would be awarded the suite and could then choose which four people to bring into this cozy setup. Now the College has decided to award students not only for seniority, but for commons affiliation. Each semester, students spend in a specific commons, they are awarded a point in that commons. Seniors are also awarded two bonus points to assure that they have an advantage over juniors, and Junior Counselors (JCs) and Residential Assistants (RAs) are awarded bonus points as well. When it is time for room draw, groups of friends can total seniority, commons, and bonus points together and apply for the blocks they want. Students can apply for blocks in up to two commons. Individual random numbers, which those who choose to participate in open draw will use, will break ties between groups.
- CFA - Center for the Arts.
- Comps - Comprehensive exams in various subjects taken exclusively by seniors.
- CSO - Career Services Office.
- Febism - Jealousy or hatred of Febs—students who matriculate in February.
- First-Chance Dance - Held in McCullough Social Space the Saturday before classes begin, the First-Chance Dance is a dance party thrown by the College and designed to award all newbies the boost they need to get the booty they want.
- IM Sports - Intramural sports, which are much more low-key and less time consuming than varsity sports.
- ITS - Information Technology Services, located in Voter Hall.
- MiddRides - Free night-time shuttle service around campus.
- Open Container - An open alcoholic beverage on public property, subject to an expensive citation.
- RAJ - Political science house behind the tennis courts, next to Procter Hall. Classes and special guests lectures are held here, and RAJ also houses several political science offices.
- RUDI - Random, unidentified drunk injury.
- Sketch-cullough - Term used to describe late-night dance parties at McCullough Student Center.
- The Dungeon - The basement of Allen Hall, brimming with rowdy hoards of freshman boys.
- The Monastery - The all-girls top floor of Stuart Hall.
- The Nunnery - The fourth floor of Allen Hall; once again, all girls known to be prudes.
- The Pit - The basement of Stewart Hall, also teeming with stereotypical freshmen boys.
- The Zoo - The small theater space couched in the third floor of Hepburn Hall.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
- Before enrolling in a class, ask around about the professor’s reputation. Visit www.middkid.com to hear what the students have to say about certain professors.
- Bring a vacuum cleaner; the hall vacuum cleaners suck; or don’t suck, as it were.
- Hepburn Hall has that deceptively classic charm and is centrally located to boot. Do not be misled. Unless you get a room on the fifth floor, you’ll be stuck with crumbling furniture and a room comparable to the size of a shoebox.
- If you’re interested in engineering, meteorology, or some other specific scientific field, do not come to Middlebury unless you plan to go to graduate school later on to narrow your academic focus.
- It is essential to bring long underwear and any other winter clothing you can scrounge up to Middlebury. You can never have enough.
- It would behoove you to bring flannel sheets, unless you plan on sharing your bed with your roommate to stay warm.
- Structure your time so that you can be involved in as many activities as possible outside of academics, making sure to incorporate sleep somewhere into the equation. Try something you never had the opportunity to be a part of during high school, but again don’t max out, fail out, or drop out because you’ve gotten yourself in over your own ambitious head.
- The academics are tough. Make sure to go to class, develop relationships with your professors, attend office hours, and allot enough time for all your schoolwork.
- The social scene can get pretty repetitive, so make sure to branch out early and make friends in different groups.
- There are many discounted trips, lectures, and artistic performances sponsored by the College. Take advantage of these as much as you can.
- Tuition has been climbing at a rate of approximately $2,000 dollars per year.
- Yes, the weather really can get depressingly cold.
Tips to Succeed
- Check your voice mailbox and e-mail at least five times per day.
- Do your homework yourself to learn the material. This isn’t high school anymore.
- Don’t panic if don’t get all of your reading done—you never will.
- Get involved—there’s more to Middlebury than academics!
- Keep on track with your major by staying in touch with your advisor.
- Maintain contact with at least one or two professors for reference purposes.
- Network as a graduating senior if you expect to find a job!
- Never cheat; you risk being expelled.
- Seek off-campus and on-campus employment as soon as you arrive!
- Take a variety of classes to probe your potential interests.
Urban Legends
- It is said that Steven Spielberg toured the campus when he was checking out colleges for his son.
- One time, someone allegedly put ecstasy in the punch at a party in the Chateau.
Traditions
- Like a Prayer - One of the spiciest, most scandalous traditions that Middlebury students adhere to, besides streaking, is taking one’s shirt off during “Like a Prayer” by Madonna. Considering the fact that the song is played as the grand finale of nearly every College dance bash, there will be plenty of room for half nudity.
- Polar Bearing - As soon as Lake Dunmore thaws, all the intrepid (and possibly half-witted) students take to the icy waters for midnight Thursday dips—naked. Remember where you place your clothes and towel before you jump in, or you’ll be sorry when you come out.
- Swim Team Streakers - Every spring, the new freshman swimmers are forced to endure an initiation process, which often entails eating a live fish and most times streaking across campus and through McCullough Social Space.
- Waking the President - Revenging their financial woes after four years at a pricey private school, students march down to the President’s door at 5 a.m. on graduation day to ask him whether or not the procession will take place outside that year. They also entreat him to join the graduating seniors for breakfast at Steve’s Park Diner.
- Winter Procession - For all of you avid ski bums, what could be more exciting than combining your favorite hobby with finishing that grueling college career? How about receiving your diploma at the bottom of a ski mountain? At the end of January, every February student will ski down the College’s Snow Bowl during procession. The College chooses a bunny slope for this event, so have no fear if you’re a Santa Barbara novice.
School Spirit
Middlebury College is just small enough to foster a substantial amount of school spirit. It is particularly prominent during ice hockey games and around Winter Carnival time. School spirit is also prominent during homecoming weekend. Yet, it’s sustained the whole year through with kids donning Middlebury logos and apparel. Sometimes Middlebury kids can come off as a bit too pretentious about their school.
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: Maggie Carter
Hometown: Eastford, CT
Major: International Studies Maggie was an internationally ranked, competitive trampolinist during her middle school years. Contributing Author Internship
College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
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really like at your college. Read more about the internship.
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