Professors know everyone's name, even in lectures. But this isn't so hard, since "lectures" here are usually around forty to fifty students, although some intro courses can reach 100. Class sizes are generally closer to twenty-five, and they get smaller the higher the level. Participation is common, although this is often because grades depend on it, and the comments that ensure are sometimes less than worthy. There are usually some people who talk a lot, some who talk occasionally, and some who you forget are there.
Middlebury professors are by and large very intelligent people with a lot to teach. Although there are plenty of mediocre ones to avoid, few actually have the reputation of being bad, and there are many who you'll hear "You just HAVE to take a class with _____!!!!" about. Professors are usually quite friendly, and close bonds sometimes form between professors and students, but only if the student makes an effort. But many do, and there are plenty of people who have babysat for their teachers or whatever. You don't even have to be in a class with a professor to make this happen -- I've gotten on great terms with two whose classes I couldn't get into but who I went to visit during office hours anyway.
Middlebury students study way too much. I mean, they study as much as they have to. Which is a ton, the workload here is really insane. The immense amount of work makes it hard to actually learn, because in order to do all the reading, you've got to skim and rush through it all. "Stressed" is everyone's default state during the week. Adding to all this is the fact that B's are common, but professors are miserly with their A-'s and especially A's. The golden GPA's we all got in high school are a thing of the past. Grades aren't a talking point though, and students are very collaborative, rather than competitive. Middlebury has an honor code that we all take very seriously (I hope), which really fosters a comfortable academic environment.
Middlebury has a fair amount of distribution requirements, but they're very flexible -- you even get to pick one subject you don't have to take a class in if you don't want to, as long as you fill the other requirements. The requirements can be pesky if you worry about them, but most seem to fill them just by taking courses that seem interesting to them. The education at Middlebury is geared towards learning for its own sake -- only Econ majors seem to talk a lot about jobs. That is, until senior year when everyone starts freaking out about how useless a liberal arts education is in the job market. Can't wait!
Intellectual conversations are not common, last night and this weekend are more important to many. Some people have intellectual conversations frequently, but this is an elusive group. Find them. Go to Weybridge for dinner.