After an increase in applicants, one college is looking towards other methods to accept more students. Vermont’s Middlebury College has been struggling with an enrollment boom and is now offering $10,000 to upperclassmen to delay their education to ease overcrowding.
The small liberal arts school has seen a huge increase in applicants for the upcoming fall 2023 semester. A spokesperson said the college typically has 2,500 to 2,600 students but enrollment this fall could be upward of 2,845.
The surge is likely caused by the return of students who took time off during the COVID-19 pandemic and not from the incoming freshman class numbering 600. At least, that’s according to Smita Ruzicka, vice president for student affairs, and Michelle McCauley, interim vice president, who wrote an announcement about the increase.
Officials are making the pay-to-delay offer to the first 30 juniors and seniors who opt to take a leave of absence for the fall 2023 semester and winter term. The deadline for applying was set on August 2, 2023, for anyone interested.
To deal with surges in the past, college officials offered study-abroad opportunities, including a $2,000 travel stipend and converting other nearby properties like the Inn on the Green into student housing. This time, they want students to forgo their studies altogether.
The college did break ground in June 2023 on a new freshman dorm but it won’t be completed until 2025 to offer a place for more students to stay.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/middlebury-college-pay-students-to-delay-cc95cbf74df6f4467ed19c5968d537ec