How to Apply to Physics at Middlebury College (Vermont): A Liberal Arts College That Admits Students to the College, Not a Major, a Physics Major of Eight Required Courses and at Least Four Electives, with Astrophysics Courses and Student-Faculty Research, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Middlebury College is a liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont, with no separate schools: physics is taught by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, you apply to the college, and the pages read describe no separate admission line for physics. Below is what the department, Admissions and Student Financial Services pages say, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Mathematics, chemistry and computer science are not covered here and are mentioned only where they meet physics.

1. Degrees and tracks

• The physics major: the department says the major consists of eight required physics courses and a minimum of four electives. Required: PHYS 0108 (Physics of Motion) or PHYS 0109 (Introductory Mechanics), PHYS 0114 (Electricity and Magnetism), PHYS 0214 (Relativity and Electromagnetism), PHYS 0216 (Waves and Fourier Analysis), PHYS 0218 (Quantum Physics), PHYS 0222 (Experimental Physics 1), PHYS 0350 (Statistical Mechanics), and either PHYS 0321 (Experimental Physics 2) or PHYS 0355 (Observational Astrophysics), which satisfy the second semester of college writing. Mathematics at least through MATH 0122 (Calculus 2) is also necessary, either at Middlebury or through appropriate pre-college calculus.
• Electives: at least four, at least one of which must be PHYS 0314 (Intermediate Electromagnetism, formerly 0301), PHYS 0318 (Quantum Mechanics) or PHYS 0330 (Analytical Mechanics); at most one may be a designated 100-level elective (PHYS 0111 or 0155) if taken by the end of the third fall/spring semester; one of CHEM 0351 or 0355 may count; and at least two electives must be Middlebury physics courses at the 0200 or 0300 level. Independent study and senior work (PHYS 0500, 0704, 0705) cannot be used for elective credit, and for double majors, courses counted toward another major cannot also count as physics electives.
• Astrophysics: the department offers astronomy courses at all levels: PHYS 0155 (Introduction to the Universe), PHYS 0255 (Introduction to Astrophysics), PHYS 0355 (Observational Astrophysics) and PHYS 0370 (Cosmological Physics). The pages read show no separate astrophysics major; PHYS 0355 is one of the two options for a required course, PHYS 0255 and 0155 can serve as electives, and the pathways page gives an example path with an astrophysics focus.
• Minor: the department says it does not offer a minor.
• Applied physics, biophysics, engineering physics: not listed as separate majors on the pages read; faculty research listings mention biomedical optics.
• Degree type: the pages read do not describe a B.A./B.S. distinction; this is not published there, so ask the department.
• Pre-engineering: the department says students who want engineering can pursue it through a dual degree or in graduate school. Physics majors on a 3-2 engineering degree (the Middlebury portion finished by the end of junior year) take the same eight-course sequence plus two electives (at least one of PHYS 0314, 0318 or 0330); students in a 2-1-1-1 pre-engineering program (returning for senior year) take the normal physics major and choose electives with the pre-engineering advisor. It advises contacting the pre-engineering advisor as soon as possible, preferably before or during the first semester; the partner engineering schools are not named on the pages read.
• High school physics teaching: majors interested in certification should consult the education studies program as soon as possible, preferably no later than the middle of sophomore year.
• Study abroad: the department encourages majors to study abroad; students who study abroad or are in a 2-1-1-1 program may transfer one upper-level physics course per term off campus for the major, for a maximum of two courses, with the department chair’s approval obtained beforehand.

2. Admission: no admission by major; declare after enrolling

• When you apply: the Admissions pages read do not say applicants choose a major, and do not mention a separate admission line or cap for physics.
• When to declare: the department’s pathways page says the college requires you to declare the major by the end of your third term, and encourages students to seek advice from the department even before declaring. The requirements page says prospective majors must begin the physics sequence no later than sophomore year (typically no later than the third fall/spring term on campus).
• Conditions: the pages read state no grade or enrollment limit for declaring physics; this is not published there, so ask the department (chair Noah Graham, pdc@middlebury.edu; coordinator Kelly Norris).
• Suggested start: starting in the first year and completing PHYS 0114 in the first spring term allows more flexibility in the choice of courses and senior work and makes off-campus study more feasible; majors are advised to complete MATH 0122 (or equivalent) by the end of their first two regular fall/spring terms, and those who cannot by the end of the first fall term should consult the chair.

3. Prerequisites, placement and AP/IB

• High school courses: the Admissions pages read prescribe no required high school courses and do not require high school physics for the major. The department says students who have completed high school physics and calculus should opt for PHYS 0109; those with little prior exposure may prefer PHYS 0108.
• Placement survey: all students enrolling in introductory physics and astronomy courses must complete the placement survey; the calculus-based courses PHYS 0108, 0109, 0111 and 0114 have math and physics prerequisites or corequisites, and prerequisite waivers are granted only to students who have completed the survey. PHYS 0108 and 0109 meet at the same time with combined lab sections, so everyone registers for 0108 and is moved into the appropriate course after the survey.
• Introductory courses: PHYS 0108 is a foundational introduction to mechanics for students with little prior physics, taken if your math placement is MATH 0121 (Calculus 1) or you place higher in math but have little physics experience; MATH 0121 is a corequisite. PHYS 0109 is an accelerated version for students who completed high school physics and placed out of MATH 0121; MATH 0121 is a prerequisite. After either, students may take PHYS 0111 (Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics) or PHYS 0114 (with a MATH 0122 prerequisite). If your math placement is precalculus and you plan more than one physics course, the department suggests PHYS 0155 (Introduction to the Universe).
• Placement table: with a math placement of MATH 0122 or higher, no experience or low comfort goes to PHYS 0108; high school algebra-based physics, AP Physics 1 or IB Physics HL typically goes to PHYS 0109; calculus-based physics or AP Physics C also typically goes to PHYS 0109. The department generally does not recommend placing out of PHYS 0109; in rare cases students with a particularly strong calculus-based background may be allowed to start in PHYS 0111 or 0114, and should say so in the survey.
• Placement is not credit: placing into a higher course does not grant credit for the courses skipped; majors still complete the total number of physics and astronomy courses required, taking additional advanced electives.
• AP/IB credit: the mathematics department’s page states that from fall 2025 AP and IB credit is no longer awarded for all students; students may still submit scores to the registrar to satisfy course prerequisites or major requirements as determined by each department. The physics pages read do not say how AP/IB physics results substitute for required courses; they use AP Physics 1, AP Physics C and IB Physics HL only as placement guidance. This is not published there, so ask the department and the registrar.
• AP/IB calculus: the mathematics page says a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus AB means you cannot take MATH 0121, and a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus BC means you cannot take MATH 0122; see its placement chart for starting points.
• Labs: the department emphasizes laboratory work at all levels, from first-year courses through senior work; the major requires PHYS 0222 and one of PHYS 0321 or 0355.
• Competitions: the Admissions pages read do not say how physics competitions are viewed.

4. Senior work, honors and undergraduate research

• Senior work: with the permission of an advisor and the department, students may complete a senior project (PHYS 0704), a significant piece of experimental or theoretical research in the final year; outstanding performance may, with permission, allow continuation as a senior thesis (PHYS 0705). Neither counts toward the major and neither is required. Majors entering senior year receive an email describing how to declare interest in PHYS 0704.
• Honors: honors candidates need a minimum grade average of B in physics courses and a semester-long senior project (PHYS 0704); honors are awarded primarily for excellent senior work combined with depth and excellence of coursework, and overall accomplishments such as teaching assistantships and leadership are also considered.
• Research: the department says students gain research experience through credit-bearing projects during the school year and paid internships in summer; for some, research becomes a senior project or thesis. Many collaborations end in a journal publication, a conference presentation or a presentation at the Student Research Symposium in April. Faculty research areas include observational astronomy, particle physics, quantum computing, experimental condensed matter physics, experimental atomic physics, astrophysics and biomedical optics.
• Summer research: the department has a summer opportunities website and a common application for on-campus summer research; eligibility and stipend amounts are not stated on the pages read. Its FAQ also points to outside programs such as NSF REUs, noting that many are open only to US citizens.
• Department scholarships: not described on the pages read.

5. Deadlines and materials

• Deadlines: Early Decision I 2 November (aid materials 15 November; notification mid-December); Early Decision II 4 January (aid the same day; notification mid-February); Regular Decision 4 January (aid 1 February; notification late March). The student admissions options page instead says Regular Decision applications are due January 5 (and Early Decision II January 4), so the two pages disagree on the Regular Decision date; check Middlebury’s website. The Student Financial Services page explicitly lists aid deadlines for 2027-2028 entry: QuestBridge 1 November 2026, Early Decision I 15 November 2026, Posse 1 December 2026, Early Decision II 4 January 2027 and Regular Decision 1 February 2027.
• Semester of entry: you can indicate September only, February only, or either; this does not change the timeline or, per the FAQ, your chances, and about 100 students begin in February each year.
• How to apply: the Common App, the Coalition Application or QuestBridge.
• Materials: the application essay (prompts on the application; no supplemental essay); at least two teacher recommendations; the school report, counselor recommendation and transcript sent by the counselor; senior grades (first-term grades for ED I, midyear grades by 15 January for ED II and by 15 February for RD); no decisions are made without senior grades. The pages do not require a science teacher in particular.
• Application fee: not stated on the Admissions pages read; this is not published there, so check the application or ask Admissions (admissions@middlebury.edu).
• Testing: optional; scores can be self-reported at application, and ACT submitters need not include the science section.
• Interviews: not required; an optional alumni interview can be requested after applying (by 8 November for ED I, 9 January for ED II, 16 January for RD) but is not guaranteed; Glimpse (a 90-second video or audio statement) is the alternative.
• Class profile (Class of 2030 and 2030.5): 755 students (640 September starts and 115 Febs) from 11,458 applications, 18% admitted; SAT middle 50% range 1460 to 1530 and ACT 33 to 34.

6. US domestic applicants

• Tuition: Middlebury is private, and its tuition page lists one rate with no in-state/out-of-state split. For 2026-27: tuition $72,924 ($36,462 per semester), on-campus housing and meal plan $20,920, student activity fee $542; with books, course materials and supplies ($1,000 for students receiving need-based aid), transportation ($1,000) and miscellaneous personal expenses ($1,000), a total cost of attendance of $97,386. Full-time students must be covered by a health insurance plan and may buy the college’s plan. Students must enroll in at least two of four winter (J-term) terms.
• Aid: the Admissions aid page says Middlebury meets all admitted students’ demonstrated need, with almost all aid in institutional grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid; tuition is $0 for families with annual incomes up to $175,000; 50% of students receive aid and the average grant is about $66K. Financial aid includes all books and supplies, and higher-need students also qualify for student health insurance and a new laptop.
• Applying for aid: the CSS Profile (code 3526) and the FAFSA (code 003691), with deadlines above; parents’ 2025 federal tax returns and W-2s go through IDOC.
• Residency preference or guaranteed admission: not stated on the pages read.

7. International applicants

• Share of students: the instructions page says 15 percent of students carry international passports or have grown up outside the US; the class profile on the Apply page says international students are 11% of the Class of 2030, from 61 countries. The two figures are defined differently.
• Materials: the same as other applicants; ask your school to forward transcripts, tests and recommendations. The page notes that some requested information may not apply to all international systems.
• English: not needed if your native language is English or your high school classes were taught entirely in English for the last three or four years (depending on school duration); otherwise submit verifiable results from the TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test, IELTS or Cambridge English. The recommended minimum scores are TOEFL iBT 5.5 (105 on iBT taken before 21 January 2026), Duolingo 130, IELTS 7.0 and Cambridge English C1 Advanced.
• Testing: not required; Middlebury is test optional.
• Interviews: not required; you may request an optional alumni interview after applying, and Middlebury recommends InitialView or Vericant interviews that can be included in your application (for a fee).
• Aid: Middlebury says it is need aware in admitting international students, so if you seek aid you must apply for it when you apply, by the published deadlines; it meets the demonstrated need of admitted students. The CSS Profile must be submitted electronically (the ISFAA and a paper CSS Profile are not accepted), with parents’ 2025 non-US tax forms or a signed employer earnings statement translated into English, or a non-filing statement. Middlebury does not provide CSS Profile fee waivers and relies on the College Board’s determination.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the Admissions pages read do not mention the Gaokao or give China-specific guidance; this is not published there, so contact admissions@middlebury.edu or call 802-443-3000.
• Transcripts and other records: no China-specific requirements are published on the pages read; the general international rules in section 7 apply: have your school forward all transcripts, tests and recommendations.
• English scores: see section 7.

9. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see section 6.
• Outcomes (the department’s wording): the requirements page says Middlebury physics majors apply their education in a wide variety of careers; some pursue graduate work in physics and related fields, and others find their physics degrees valuable in engineering, medicine, business, law, teaching, government service and other pursuits. The alumni page lists some graduates’ employers and titles, for example AeroTEC (Aerospace Performance Engineer), the International Atomic Energy Agency (Nuclear Safeguards Inspector), Witricity (Staff Scientist) and NERA Economic Consulting (Economic Analyst); it prints no summary employment percentages.

10. Transfer students

• Who counts: anyone who has been or is enrolled in a full-time degree-seeking program must apply as a transfer student. There are fall and spring entry terms.
• Deadlines: fall transfer 1 March (the aid page states 1 March 2027), decisions mid-May; spring transfer 2 November, decisions mid-December. If spring entry has no vacancies, Middlebury notifies applicants in early December and offers consideration for the following fall.
• Materials: the Common Application for transfer; official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended; midterm reports (or a statement if not enrolled); a college report from each institution; at least one academic recommendation from a college instructor; a document of official course descriptions; English proficiency results if applicable; test scores optional.
• Credit: transfers should expect to complete at least two full academic years at Middlebury (a minimum of 18 units). Middlebury does not provide credit evaluations or estimates before admission; an estimate comes from the dean of curriculum and the registrar before the enrollment deposit deadline, and the final evaluation follows the final transcript.
• For the physics major: the department’s rules describe current students taking courses elsewhere: while studying abroad or in a 2-1-1-1 program, at most one upper-level physics course per term and two in total may count for the major, with the chair’s advance approval; its student resources page says outside credit needs the chair’s approval, with a course description, syllabus, evidence the course is calculus-based, lecture and lab hours, and verification that the institution is accredited and not a community college. How credit earned before enrolling counts toward the major, and any GPA or physics-sequence requirement for transfers, are not stated on the pages read; ask the department.
• Aid: transfer aid is based entirely on established need and offered as resources permit; file the FAFSA and CSS Profile by 1 March for fall entry (for spring entry the text says 1 November while the deadline table says 2 November); international transfers must file the CSS Profile.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 2 November (ED I) or 4 January (ED II, RD); aid materials 15 November, 4 January or 1 February; CSS Profile and FAFSA

International applicants (including China):

• If you need aid, apply when you apply; submit the CSS Profile online; follow the English proficiency rules above

After entry:

• Complete the physics placement survey (and the math placement); take MATH 0122 and PHYS 0114 early; declare a major by the end of the third term

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 1 March; complete at least two full academic years at Middlebury

Sources: Middlebury College, Department of Physics and Astronomy; Department: major requirements; Department: placement information; Department: pathways through the major; Department: student-faculty research; Department: student resources; Department: alumni; Mathematics: placement and AP/IB; Admissions: instructions and deadlines; Admissions: student admissions options; Admissions: apply; Admissions: financial aid; Tuition and fees; Aid for first-year and transfer students. The admissions instructions page shows no year; the aid page lists deadlines for 2027-2028 entry explicitly. Costs are 2026-27 figures. Check Middlebury for the latest details.