Middlebury vs Georgetown vs Wash U St. Louis
Hey Guys, I'm currently deciding between these 3 schools for my undergrad education. I know that Georgetown has the best "Brand" name, but I am will be participating in a men's varsity sport where Middlebury's Alumni for student athletes(Especially for the sport I'm playing) is incredible.(3-4 Barclays, 1 MS, 2 GS and 4 others in various firms the past 3 years alone). The cost is about the same. Wash U has the best balance but I heard that it isn't really a target. What do you think? Is the larger network in Georgetown and the opportunity to major in Finance(vs Econ in Middlebury) worth it?
I would consider the school and location where you fit in the best. These three schools are located in completely different areas of the U.S. Vermont, DC, and Missouri are nothing alike. Wash U is probably the best academic school out of those three, but Georgetown is going to place much better. They are all three excellent schools, however.
Thank you. I felt most comfortable in St. Louis and Middlebury, and a little bit less comfortable in D.C; however, I would have no problem going there. I love what Middlebury has to offer but can't seem to shake off the academic prestige of Wash U and the strong OCR and placement in Georgetown.
Sorry Sil but you're pretty wrong on this. Middlebury and Georgetown are better schools than Wash U. Wash U is by no means a bad school, but general consensus is that Gtown and Middlebury are far better academically.
OP, I'd pick between Gtown and Middlebury based on wherever you fit best. I went to a top LAC and had a good experience so I'm always a champion of the liberal arts school, but they do make it a little tougher to recruit vs a the traditional target. Middlebury is good enough though so it probably won't matter too much.
Maybe...but OP is posting this in an IB forum, not on College Confidential. Are Georgetown and Middlebury places more kids in IB that Wash U is? I could be wrong, but that is where I'm coming from.
Mate are you high? Far better academically? They're at the same level. Your perspective is biased because of what you see in IB. WashU is ranked higher than both of them and has a lower acceptance rate. The reason Middlebury and Georgetown might place better in IB is because they're in the northeast lmao. I'd go with Georgetown for IB obviously, but in terms of actual academics, it's WashU a bit better than Georgetown which is better than Middlebury.
I've seen students from all three places at superdays with Georgetown having the highest representation. Georgetown is certainly known for OCR and has historically placed very well. That being said, I would go where you think you are most likely to succeed. Georgetown is considered a core school at nearly every BB
Yes, that is the general consensus of everybody that I have talked to. However, I feel like I would grow the most as a person and as an athlete at Middlebury, but am just concerned of the opportunities once I graduate.
One thing to consider is the time commitment as a D1 student athlete versus D3. At schools like WUSTL and Middlebury, there's going to be a higher emphasis on academics (from the coaching staff) and being able to cut out early for networking events / miss practices for interviews is going to be much more accepted.
Georgetown unless you really fit in well at one of the other schools.
I had a similar decision (decided not to apply to Gtown for fit, and chose Middlebury over WUSTL), and have friends that have transferred around all three. Looking back, I would say the following:
Fun (and inverse of workload): Georgetown > WUSTL > Middlebury
Learning: Middlebury > WUSTL > Georgetown
Finance Prestige (Recruiting): Georgetown > Middlebury > WUSTL
Academic Prestige (Grad School): WUSTL > Middlebury > Georgetown
Network: Middlebury > Georgetown > WUSTL
If any part of you thinks you fit in better at Georgetown and you are set on investment banking, you are probably best off there. If you really want to learn in college, have an alumni network that will work for you like no other, and greatly prefer working to drinking, go to Middlebury. If banking is the flavor of the month and you want to go to grad school someday, go to WUSTL.
If your only concern with Middlebury is with employment post-grad, I would tell you not to worry. Banking recruiting might be better at Georgetown, but plenty of people from Middlebury make it as well. If you are good enough to make it into investment banking, you will make it at either school, but it might require a bit more legwork from Middlebury. And if you don't make it, Middlebury has plenty of other solid career paths/'The Middlebury Mafia' alumni network is real - alumni will go to great lengths to help almost anyone.
Not sure which sport you would be playing at Middlebury, but Football, Soccer, Golf, Rugby, and Tennis all do well with banking recruiting.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions.
Honestly, this guy nailed it.
I along with several of my siblings played D-1 sports in college. Our advice / philosophy was to make the decision independent of the sport we were being recruited for. For example, Middlebury may have a great lacrosse network for IBD, but that won't mean anything if you join the team and ultimately end up quitting or getting injured. The reality is that college athletics is a new level of time commitment, while you are being pulled in different directions for social / parties that were never previously competing for your time. It varies by team but for my sport, we considered anything above 50% retention over 4 years to be a huge success. I realize I'm being a bit draconian here, but I'm just trying to help prove a point that I would strongly encourage you to evaluate a SCHOOL based on academics, network, extra-curriculars, etc.
I know a girl who went to Allen & Co. from WashU 2cents
Focus on fit. Being an all star at Middlebury will do you better than being an average kid at Georgetown, despite better OCR.
That said, my vote is for Middlebury. This forum really undervalues getting an actual education.
I'm a senior too and I'm arguing with myself over the same type of issue. The only problem is that I ed'd to wash u(interviewer was set to join a boutique and I hadn't received my improved sats). Hoping I get deferred and that my apps at ross, cornell, northwestern, nd, usc, stern pull through for me.
Georgetown is objectively the best call. But, what place are you going to be able to thrive at? You could land GS TMT (or other big groups) from any of those schools.
If your moping at Georgetown during your 4 years b/c your surrounded by people you don't like, it's a bad call. Can't comment on the culture of these schools. But WashU is probably pretty similar to Georgetown.
If I were you, I'd pick Georgetown.
EDIT: When I was in your shoes I remember laboring over decisions like these, and I would usually brush off people talking about 'fit' and 'culture.' But you gotta realize that you're going to be waking up and going to this school for 800+ days of your life. If you're not happy and get a low GPA, your school prestige will not matter. Your circle of 5 (your 5 closest friends, who you compete with, hang out with, etc.) is one of the most important things in your life. Pick the school where you will be able to surround yourself with like-minded people who inspire you. You'd be surprised how many strivers fail at elite schools b/c they are not a fit.
Both Georgetown and Middlebury are great schools. It depends on what you want. If you like a rural setting with maple trees, mountains, and a state economy in shambles then choose Middlebury. If you like the capital, lobbyists and being close to Virginia choose Georgetown. In all seriousness, Georgetown has better placement, but you will easily break into banking regardless of your choice as long as you hustle. Best of luck with the decision and "So long and thanks for all the fish."
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