College Insights: Bryn Mawr and Middlebury

This article is part of the series, College Insights, in which Springs alumni discuss Colleges that they’ve chosen to attend, and why. If you have further questions or would like to suggest different colleges, feel free to email me at clara.rominger@indiansprings.org or Carina at carina.lim@indiansprings.org

This issue will focus on Bryn Mawr through interviews with Avary Lanier ‘20 and Middlebury through an interview with Catherine Goodrich ‘20

1) What kind of person were you at Springs? What extracurriculars did you participate in and what were your favorite classes? 

Avary: At Springs I was very participatory. I participated in mostly art-related things, including the contemporary music program, the choir, taking the 3D design class, the Woodward Post, in extracurricular poetry competitions, and heading the Indian Springs Knitting Club. Outside of this, I played on the Indian Springs Tennis team, worked at Big Spoon Creamery for three years as a manager, worked a summer as a camp counselor, spent a semester in student government, was a student tutor, and founded the Indian Springs Spanish Club. My favorite classes were AP Environmental science, AP bio, Advanced Poetry 2, MC Afro, American Lit, and Spanish.

Catherine: I feel like a universal Spring’s experience is spending a decent amount of time just kind of being awestruck by the nature of Springs while also experiencing normal, almost inevitable growing pains of high school. It’s a weird intersection but one that’s really pretty lively. I played soccer, sang in choir, I whined about taking out the recycling for half a semester. I had a great time, honestly- I’ll always be grateful for what my experience at Springs was.

2) What do you participate in now?

Avary: Due to the times, there are not a whole lot of things to participate in at college. I hit as many virtual things as I can, including meditation sessions, yoga sessions, and student lead teach-ins. This semester I participated in a three-week-long BI-CO-wide strike, striking against the racial inequality seen throughout our campuses.

Catherine: I honestly spend a good chunk of time either doing work or eating meals for 2+ hours. I’m on the frisbee team and I guide for Middlebury’s outing club in my free time. I stay busy but not for the sake of a resume and that’s been lovely. 

3) What’s your overall impression of your school?

Avary: I love Bryn Mawr so much. It is a very liberal (VERY LIBERAL) campus full of fun and well-educated people. Everyone is really nice, the food is really good, the campus is sooooo pretty, and the teachers have been super supportive.

Catherine: My experience has obviously been colored by the pandemic, so I would certainly take my opinion with a grain of salt. Middlebury has a strong work hard-play hard culture; students have a lot going on but don’t sacrifice their quality of life in their pursuits.

4) What kind of student is a good fit for your school?

Avary: The classes are rigorous and very small. You really need to be prepared to participate. This past semester I took a 300 level poetry class with five students in it (including myself) and they were all upperclassmen. I didn't think I had it in me to participate thoughtfully, but I found that I did and it really helped me in my other classes. You also have to be liberal, which has not been a problem for me at all, but according to a few articles, I read it has been a problem for some.

Catherine: I would recommend Middlebury to pretty much anyone. 

5) What’s something you’d change about your school?

Avary: Being such an old institution, there are some inequities that are built into the system that I feel need to be addressed and removed. Many of these were removed in favor of the strike, but it is a PWI and really expensive without scholarship, so there are some fundamental changes that need to occur. I also feel like they could do more for meeting people, but due to the situation, I believe they have done their best.

Catherine: There’s a pretty botched perception of the Southeast. It’s not as pretentious as it is inaccurate. There’s definitely some Northeastern, liberal self-righteousness that’s not altogether pleasant.

6) What kind of people are there on campus? 

Avary: Everyone is at the very least bisexual and everyone is HOT. The people are quirky and individualistic in the best way possible. It is a very artsy crowd of intellectuals.

Catherine: Most people are pretty motivated and typically (hopefully) have a good sense of humor.

7) What do you enjoy most about your school?

Avary: The people are great. I have met some life-long friends just by leaving my room and hanging out in a common room. Everyone has such an interesting story to tell, and they are all brilliant.

Catherine: Middlebury has pushed me hard academically, specifically in discussion-based classes. I think I’ve spoken more in my classes this past semester than my entire Spring’s career and that’s definitely a good thing. Again, I love that there’s always something going on and how animated campus is.

8) How does the location affect your overall experience and social life? 

Avary: The college is directly outside of Philadelphia. With a city so close by you get a greatly diverse group of people. The culture shock wasn't as grand as I expected it to be, and didn't even come from it being in the north, instead, any shock I got was from it not being Springs. The location is wonderful though, located in a fairly quiet suburb, a quarter of a mile away from a metro stop that could take you downtown, half a mile from a PRECIOUS college town that has everything you could ever need. It is wonderful and so pretty. Wouldn't change it for the world.

Catherine: At the risk of sounding like a brochure, Middlebury, Vermont is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. Socializing is often centered around being outside which, for me, has been great.