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Hometown: Los Angeles, California

High School: Downtown Magnets High School

Affiliations: International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Recipient

Major: Computer Science & Sociology joint major

Minor: Psychology

Main Extracurricular Activities: PALANA, Alianza, Spanish Language Table Waiter. I also love exploring town and finding different food spots with my friends. My current favorite restaurant is Rice (a Chinese restaurant)! I also enjoy capturing photos of Middlebury’s beautiful campus and my experiences here.

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Hi there! My name is Cindy Castillo and I’m originally from Los Angeles, CA. I am a Latina, first-generation, sophomore student here at Middlebury College, and I can definitely say I have had an eventful two years. I knew that there would be some activities, such as skiing, that I wanted to try out at Middlebury, but I never thought I would actually get the chance to experience them. Middlebury definitely makes these experiences and opportunities available to you by providing you with many resources that can make it happen, and I am so grateful for that! 

My academic journey at Middlebury has been amazing! I came into Middlebury thinking I was going to major in Sociology and only Sociology, but Middlebury’s push for exploring new academic interests and curiosities shifted my path. I applied to Middlebury’s Introduction to Data Science summer course that opened a new field and passion for me: data science. Now I look forward to my future a lot more than I did before coming to Middlebury. With this, I say, don’t be afraid to explore something new, whether that looks like attending Middlebury or finding a new passion.

If you have any questions about the academics at Middlebury, the social life, residential life, extracurriculars, community, anything Middlebury, feel free to reach out to me! I’ll be more than happy to answer your questions!

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?: 

I chose Middlebury because I wanted to experience the drastic change from a huge city (Los Angeles) to a more rural area (Middlebury). I wanted to see the leaves change in the fall, experience my first snowfall, build a snowman, go sledding, and skiing during winter, and witness the flowers blooming during spring. I wanted to experience all four seasons that I do not get to enjoy in Los Angeles.

Additionally, I loved how small the student body is. As an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Recipient, I am used to the 1-on-1 connection between students and professors. Therefore, being able to continue this type of relationship at Middlebury reassured me that I would receive a great education and a more interactive experience.

What is your favorite course?

So far, I would rate my “Data Science Across the Disciplines: Restorative Justice” course as my favorite!! My class partnered with Addison County Restorative Justice and created a presentation for them to reference when writing a report for funding. The program provided us with raw data and through the R-software program we coded data figures for them. It was a rewarding feeling to see how our work was actually being utilized in such a profound way.

Favorite thing to do during J-Term?

I love going skiing with friends which was facilitated through Middlebury’s Student Access and Support Grants! I have met new people, developed stronger relationships, and created amazing memories through skiing.

What advice do you have for students who are trying to decide whether to attend Middlebury, or an out-of-state private college?

When deciding which college to attend, definitely take into consideration the availability of resources at the college! Many colleges can provide a list of fun courses and activities that you can potentially experience, but it is only enjoyable if you are actually able to participate in these activities and not have to stress too much about the financial aspect. That is why I love Middlebury, because they aim to provide the necessary resources for students to gain the full Middlebury experience. So keep that in mind while making your decision!