Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Getting Started
Answers to frequently asked questions by new students just getting started at Middlebury.
- I know what my first year seminar is. How will I select my other courses?
- Will I actually be able to get into the classes I want or need?
- What if I get a bad lottery number?
- I'm confused by Middlebury's distribution requirement.
- Does the first-year seminar count toward the distribution requirement?
- Are there any idiosyncrasies in the Distribution Requirement?
- I want to continue studying the foreign language I studied in high school. How do I know my level? How do I know which course to take?
- Does it make sense for me to begin a new language now, or should I wait until I have my feet on the ground?
- So if I want to study abroad, I have to be qualified to study in the language of the country in which I am studying?
- May I take two languages?
- May I take two lab courses in the sciences?
- What about pre-med and other majors with lots of requirements?
- Should I worry about my major now?
- I love Biology; I think I'll major in it. May I take more than one course in Biology this first-semester? What about other departments?
- May I take five courses- or six?
- How about three courses?
- A two course load?
- Should I worry about writing-intensive courses?
- I'm not an ace on the computer. Can I get help?
- Am I restricted only to 100-level courses in my first year?
- When will I find out about my AP credit?
- I took college-level work before coming to Middlebury. How can I get the credit evaluated?
- I'm an international student. How about the International Baccalaureate?
- I have a certified disability. How does that information get to my professors?
- I need to earn money. Can I succeed in my studies and still work?
- How about sports? I love sports but I'm worried they will take up too much of my time. Should I go out for a team?
After the First Week
Answers to frequently asked questions by students after their first week at Middlebury.
- Middlebury has an Honor Code. How does it work?
- Does Middlebury have a class attendance policy?
- Will my adviser excuse me from a class?
- What's a Dean's Excuse?
- Can't I deal directly with my professors if I have conflicts?
- What about Winter Term? How does it work?
- I'm an athlete on a Middlebury team. Will the deans or the Athletic Department automatically notify my teachers and excuse me from class if I have a game?
- What if I don't like my roommate? May I switch my room?
- I'm having a hard time in one (or more!) of my classes. How do I get help?
- I'm not a confident writer. Can I get help?
- How much will this wonderful help cost?
- I've tried. I can't do it in one of my classes. May I drop it?
- What happens to my grades if I drop out of school during the semester? Do I get four "F's"?
- I can't wait for it all to start. I know my teachers will be wonderful and I will love my classes. How can I become a professor like they are?