Middlebury College is a super small liberal arts school located in Middlebury, VT. They’re known for their emphasis on the arts and the humanities, and they’re a pretty outdoorsy school to boot.
Middlebury’s first-year acceptance rate is around 14%, and their transfer acceptance rate is around 9%, so very challenging on both accounts. Remember, when you’re transferring, you’re applying for the spots of students who have already left, which probably signals that a lot of people really like being at Middlebury.
That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck for a transfer app though, you just need to be prepared. Let’s break down everything you need to know to create a stand-out application for Middlebury as a transfer.
Middlebury’s Requirements
Here’s how Middlebury states their eligibility requirements:
“The majority of transfer students are admitted as sophomores or first-semester juniors, and preference is given to those students who have completed at least a full year of college work upon entry. The high school record is weighed heavily and candidates must be in good standing at their current college.”
Here’s a list of what they for sure want from you:
Transfer Common Application
College Course Descriptions
Essay
Official high school and college transcripts
Recommendation letters
Transfer college report (a Dean or advisor has to fill this out)
Transfer mid-term report for your in-progress grades
SAT/ACT (optional)
More on their requirements and process for transfer applicants here.
Pick the Right Classes
If you’re applying to Middlebury for poli sci, make sure your class lineup aligns with that goal. Stockpiling courses that don't quite match the narrative won't do you any favors, except for those mandatory ones from your current school.
Speaking of mandatory: don't disregard the core classes – they're a necessary hurdle. Transferring is no guarantee, so making sure you’re on track is the best way to prepare yourself for the worst while hoping for the best.
But outside of those?? Your classes should actively contribute to the distinct niche you're carving out. If your interest leans towards American electoral politics, immersing yourself in a slew of international relations classes might not be the best move.
Get Really Good Grades
You need to get good grades, period. Middlebury also tells us they look at high school grades “heavily,” so especially make sure you’re acing your classes if you had less than stellar grades in high school.
One way to do that? Don’t take super hard classes you don’t absolutely have to take. There’s no reason to suffer through calculus again right now! If you must take it, put it on the sophomore-year roster.
And don’t forget to make the most of office hours. Building a rapport with professors can significantly impact your grades, plus those relationships come in handy when you need to ask for rec letters.
Develop Your Niche
Nabbing a spot at Middlebury isn't merely about nailing the right classes; you've got to showcase some depth in your chosen major. Convince them your passion is more than just you saying it on an application, prove it to them. Sticking to the poli sci theme, think about diving into the campus current affairs magazine, throwing your hat in the ring for student government, work with political organizations you care about, lending a hand to a campaign, chipping in at the student paper, snagging a political internship, or diving into research with a poli sci professor.
It's not just about beefing up your application; you need to get involved at your current school. If you don’t get in as a transfer, you should have some community to fall back on.
Write Good Essays
Middlebury has one essay! Huzzah!
A personal essay (650 words or less, uploaded below) addressing your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.
This essay is kind of like a Why essay – one you wrote a lot as a first-year applicant.
We want to use this essay to prove you know all about Middlebury and know they’re a perfect match for you. Dig into their website, find professors and cool upper-level classes that vibe with your interests, and figure out how they fit into your game plan. And when you're talking about why you want to transfer more generally, here's a big tip: no need to bash your current school. We get it, there could be a bunch of reasons, good and bad, but for this essay, let's stick to the academic stuff. Specific advice on this prompt here.
Good luck with your Middlebury application and make sure to keep your grades up, get plugged into your community, and dive into your passions.
If you need help with your transfer applications, reach out to us today.