Orientation

Students participate in a square dance.
Being part of a community encourages everyone to try new things—like square dancing!

Middlebury offers two orientations for incoming students, one in September—called MiddView—and one in February.

Stay Tuned!

For the most up to date information regarding the coming academic year, please visit Middlebury 2020-21.

Both MiddView and February Orientation are multiday programs that focus on academics, tradition, and community.

  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Participate in traditional Middlebury College ceremonies and events.
  • Engage in community-building activities. 
  • Connect with your new classmates.

Arrival Day

Please visit visit Middlebury 2020-21 for the most updated arrival information.

Orientation Trips

September Arrivals

All new September students participate in our MiddView trips. The trips are a 30-year tradition at Middlebury that is designed to welcome you to campus and ease the concerns of beginning college. We do this by fostering small-group connections, working toward a shared goal, and selecting remarkable student leaders from our current students to provide support.

Trips are organized into three categories: 

  • Community Engagement is focused on connecting with community partners and providing service. 
  • Vermont Exploration ventures into Vermont’s cultural landscape.
  • Outdoor Explorations include a range of outdoor adventures such as backpacking or canoeing.

All trips provide a small-group experience in which participants have the opportunity to connect with peers and learn about Middlebury College from their student leaders. No previous experience is necessary, and we encourage students to choose trips that will introduce them to something new.

Families

Orientation is a great time for families to come to campus and help students settle in. Many student service offices will be available so that families can learn about their programs and meet staff members. You can also explore the town of Middlebury and the cultural landscape of 
Vermont. There is public transportation from campus to local areas. Please visit the orientation website for the most up to date information about Family Orientation.

First-Generation Students

First-generation students are the first in their families to attend a four-year college. As a first-generation student at Middlebury, you are invited to join the First-Gen Experience, aimed at supporting your academic and social success. Annual events and programs include the following:

  • Anderson Freeman Center (AFC) peer-mentorship program
  • National First-Generation College Celebration
  • 1vyG Conference
  • First-Gen Community Events
  • First-Gen Fridays
  • First-Gen Graduation Celebration 

First@Midd 2020

As part of the First-Gen Experience, you are invited to participate in the First@Midd preorientation program, focused on acquainting students with useful resources and offices, helping students navigate the sometimes complicated social and academic aspects of college life, and connecting students to members of the community who may be key to their success. 

First@Midd takes place Thursday, September 3, through Monday, September 7, allowing students to fully participate in MiddView. Families are invited to the First@Midd family orientation September 3–4. First-generation students joining us in February can join in the AFC peer-mentorship program when they arrive on campus.

Email Jennifer Herrera Condry at jherrera@middlebury.edu for more information. September students interested in participating in First@Midd must register by July.

International and Exchange Students

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides visa-related advising, programs, and support to international students, including exchange students and U.S. students living abroad. ISSS oversees Middlebury College’s involvement with the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for issuing and maintaining visa-related documents. ISSS serves as a place of support for students who have international roots by having lived abroad or having immigrated to the U.S. ISSS looks forward to assisting you as you begin your Middlebury experience and beyond. If you have questions, contact ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu.

Obtaining required immunization records can be challenging for some international students. Parton Health Center and ISSS will work with students to meet the requirements if this cannot be completed prior to arrival. Please carefully read the following information about your anticipated arrival. Links for all the forms you will need, including visa and travel information, can be found on our website. You can also meet our staff and get to know the faces of the people who will be helping you once you arrive. 

Early Arrival

We invite new international students, including exchange students and U.S. students living abroad, to arrive on campus a few days before orientation begins. Whether you arrive in September or February, this will allow you time to recover from your travels, learn about your U.S. visa status, and become familiar with resources that will help with your transition from home to Middlebury.

ISSS staff, Program Arrival Leaders (PALs) or Feb Mentors, and current Middlebury students will help you find your way around. If you register for Early Arrival, you will receive access to your residence hall, and we expect you to stay on campus beginning on the program’s start date. Students who enter the U.S. earlier than the Early Arrival start date will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and accommodations. Early access to residence halls is not possible. 

Travel to Middlebury College

Please visit visit Middlebury 2020-21 for the most updated travel information. 

Connecting with Others

Students at Middlebury College come from more than 75 countries. Even if there is not a student from your country, there will certainly be someone from your region of the world. 

If you would like to connect with a current Middlebury student from your area before you arrive, contact the International Students’ Organization (ISO) at iso@middlebury.edu.

Friends of International Students Host Program

The Friends of International Students (FIS) host program matches students with local families to create opportunities to share life experiences and cultures beyond the campus. If you are interested in participating, fill out the questionnaire.

Important Deadlines

Please complete the following ISSS forms and deadlines for both September and February entrants:

• Early Arrival registration (recommended)

• I-20 or DS-2019 application (required for most international students)

• Friends of International Students host program questionnaire (optional)

International Student FAQ

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ISSS aims to issue documents within 2–3 weeks of receiving a completed I-20 or DS-2019 application. For September entrants, we aim to mail visa-related documents by early June. For Feb entrants, we expect to send documents in October. (Please note that a U.S. F-1 student visa cannot be issued prior to 120 days before your program start date.)

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We will send complete instructions to you with your I-20 or DS-2019. It will outline all the necessary steps. First, you must obtain an I-20 or DS-2019 form from Middlebury College. Then, you schedule an appointment for an interview with a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for the visa. Find your nearest embassy or consulate.

You may want to inquire at the embassy or consulate about the visa-application process in advance regarding scheduling an appointment, necessary forms, and required fees. We will provide general information in our mailing.

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Wait times vary. In some countries it only takes a week, and in other countries it may take more than a month. Find an estimate of the current visa wait times at the embassy nearest you.

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You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date noted on your I-20 or DS-2019. Please note that shuttle service from the Burlington airport to Middlebury College is only available on Early Arrival day, and you may not move into your residence hall any earlier.

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Yes, we apply it to your balance and it counts as part of your family contribution.

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No. When Student Financial Services calculates your financial need and determines if you will receive assistance, they consider the estimated total costs of your first year at Middlebury. This includes items that the College bills you for and your own personal expenses. The comprehensive fee (tuition, room, and board) and the student activities fee will appear on your bill. Other expenses (such as books, supplies, personal items, and travel) are items you will need to purchase throughout the year. Taxes, health insurance, and food, lodging, or travel during college breaks are other possible expenses. You will need to have funds available to pay for those costs, too.

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Yes, federal and state income taxes. You can expect to pay taxes on any income earned in the U.S., including employment wages and in some cases, a portion of your grants/scholarships from Middlebury College. The amount of tax you owe will depend on the amount of funds you earn or receive and the tax treaty (if any) between the U.S. and your home country. Taxes may represent an additional expense of more than $500 per year. It is your responsibility to file your income tax forms annually and pay your taxes in a timely way. Direct any questions about taxes to middleburytaxoffice@middlebury.edu.

Transfer Students

Middlebury enrolls a limited number of transfer students in September and February depending upon available space. The majority of transfer students are admitted as sophomores or first-semester juniors. Meet a current Middlebury transfer student.

Preseason Athletes

Invited students participating in preseason practices should contact their coaches directly or call 802-443-5250 to learn about arrival details.