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Dean of Admissions Nicole Curvin cited the College’s efforts to achieve a more equitable admissions process as one of the reasons for the increase in applications.

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - The largest group of applicants in the history of Middlebury College—a total of 13,028 students—applied for admission to the Class of 2026. The College has admitted 1,502 of those students who applied as regular decision candidates. The number of applicants represents a 9 percent increase over the previous year’s total of 11,908. The overall acceptance rate, which includes 438 students admitted through the College’s early admissions program, is 15 percent.

“I am grateful that interest in Middlebury remains high,” said Dean of Admissions Nicole Curvin. “We received applications from students who are creative and engaged and already exploring ways to address the world’s most challenging problems—a skill that is at the core of Middlebury’s mission.

Statistics from All Students Admitted to the Class of 2026

  • States with highest numbers of admitted students from most admittees to least: California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, and New Jersey
  • Countries with highest numbers of admitted students from most admittees to least: China, Canada, Mexico, India, United Kingdom, and Germany
  • Number of states and territories represented: 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam
  • Number of countries represented: 89

“From taking steps to protect our environment to acting as bridge builders in their schools and communities through language acquisition and activism, our admitted students are making an impact. At Middlebury, their experience will deepen these valuable skills. We can’t wait for them to arrive on campus,” said Curvin.



The total number of admitted students who are students of color, including early and regular decision candidates, increased from 47 percent the previous year to 52 percent this year. Twenty-six percent are first-generation or students who are the first in their families to attend college, and 11 percent are international students.



Middlebury is in the second year of a three-year pilot test-optional policy. Nearly half of the total number of applicants chose not to submit standardized test scores.



“The growth in our applicant pool is due to a number of factors, including our efforts to achieve a more equitable admissions process,” said Curvin. “We are working to clear away obstacles, including standardized tests and other barriers, that might prevent talented students from considering and applying to Middlebury.”



Curvin noted that the College’s access and equity efforts also include the Student Ambassadors Program, which helps the Admissions Office reach more accomplished students in rural, lower-income, or multi-ethnic areas who otherwise might not have heard of Middlebury. The College holds its Discover Middlebury program every October for students underrepresented in higher education and also partners with organizations such as the Posse Foundation, and, beginning in 2022, with QuestBridge. Middlebury also has made communicating about affordability a top priority.



Now that the admitted students have been notified, the staff at the Admissions Office is looking forward to connecting with them and helping to answer their questions.



“The pandemic has introduced many new tools into the admissions process,” said Curvin. “We are embarking on another first—a hybrid approach to admitted student events. We will host in-person visitors throughout the month of April as well as provide virtual programs. Our hope is that this will allow admitted students and their families an opportunity to explore Middlebury in the way that best works for them.”



Activities include Virtual Preview Days from April 3 to April 4, when admitted students can learn more about the College by hearing from current students, staff, and faculty. Planned events also include webinars with faculty and staff, and opportunities to connect with other admitted students in the Class of 2026 as well as alumni.



Middlebury will award about $18.8 million in need-based financial aid to the Class of 2026, with roughly 47 percent of the students receiving support.



The College expects to enroll about 640 students in September 2022 and about 120 in February 2023.



Students learned of their admission online on Saturday, March 26, and the College mailed letters to their homes on Friday, March 25. Admitted students have until May 6 to accept Middlebury’s offer.





*A correction was made to this story on May 5, 2022. The word “applicants” was changed to “admitted students” in the following sentence: The total number of admitted students who are students of color, including early and regular decision candidates, increased from 47 percent the previous year to 52 percent this year.