Julie Seo '12
Senior Admissions Fellow
Email: mseo@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.3000
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Hometown: Little Rock, AR
High School: Parkview
Major: International Studies with a foucs on Europe and Sociology/Anthropology
Activities: Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB), Korean-American Student Association, 51 Main, Intramural Softball
Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain (fall 2010)
Why did I want to be a Senior Fellow?
I really enjoyed being a tour guide during my freshman and sophomore years and offering insight to prospective students and parents.
What was my college search like?
Hectic! I read every book and internet article and meticulously memorized statistics because I wanted to “make the right decision”. Unlike many of my peers, I definitely did not want to go to the state university to become a legacy to our parents’ respective Greek chapter so that left thousands of other schools across the nation as a potential. There are plenty of great schools out there--- I just happened to mark Middlebury as the perfect one for me.
Why Middlebury?
I was actually dead set on going to another school but that completely changed when I came to visit during Preview Days in April, a couple of weekends before the enrollment deposit was due! The sense of community is very evident on the Middlebury campus and it is extremely hard for one to not fit in. I only came to get a trip out of it since I had a serious case of senioritis anyway; I ended up leaving with a decision that surprised my family, friends, and even me. So try to do an overnight stay, if at all possible!
What is life at Middlebury like?
Choosing a major
Going abroad was an important factor in my choice in major so I wanted a curriculum that was flexible enough to allow a year-long study abroad. I chose to focus on Sociology/Anthropology because I had taken a few courses in the SOAN department and really enjoyed them. I also love the interdisciplinary aspect of the International Studies major! I was interested in sociology, international issues, and I wanted to enroll in Spanish courses so this really was the perfect major for me.
The biggest challenge in transitioning to college
The cold weather! Wise words from the Southerner: bring ALL of your coats, face masks, scarves, mittens, ear muffs, rabbit fur vest, etc.!
Fondest memory of Middlebury
Being first in line during Midnight Breakfast sophomore year with my friends! We lived in Gifford so naturally, getting to Proctor was no problem-o. The food tasted even more delicious and I’m pretty sure I passed all of my exams!
Favorite class or professor
My favorite professor is Jessica Holmes in the Economics department! She really went out of her way, above and beyond, to help me understand the material. Even despite her busy schedule, she made sure she was available outside of her office hours so we can discuss the problems that I missed on the exams. The concept of economics was definitely challenging for me but I’m glad to have taken it. Although I now realize that becoming an economist is nowhere on my career track upon graduation, I was able to learn key concepts that pertain to everyday life from a brilliant professor.
What I do in my spare time
When I’m not occupied with homework or extracurricular activities, I spend a lot of time playing my guitar and scribbling down lyrics, basking in the sun if the weather permits, visiting local breweries, going to the gym, exploring quaint Vermont-y places nearby, or discovering new goodies at the Co-op.
What I did this past summer
I was fortunate enough to have attained a teacher position for a joint program between Teach Kentucky/Summerbridge. I taught a classroom of children of low socio-economic backgrounds as a math teacher and although it was the hardest I have ever worked, I wouldn’t take it back for a second.
