<p>Hey everyone I was just wondering if some people on CC go to Groton. I had my tour/interview the other day and it was amazing. I loved Groton and my tour guide was really nice. My interviewer was nice, but he wasn't gushing over me, so I guess he was a bit like my interviewer at Andover. He probably didn't like to get applicants hopes up. But anyway, I really liked Groton and I was wondering if:
a) Do people like it at Groton? Is there a lot of school spirit?
b) Does Groton have a "nice" environment? From what I've seen of it, Groton seems to be the "nicest" boarding school I'm applying to.
c) Any tips from people who have gone through the admission process? I know each school has a unique admission process and I was wondering if there is anything an applicant of Groton should know.
d) How cliquey is Groton? I got the sense that MX is very cliquey, and not in a good way. Groton doesn't seem like that from what I've heard/read/seen. But is it cliquey, and is it gossipy?</p>
<p>After my tour and looking even closer at Groton I realized how amazing it was. I guess I always thought, "Oh, it's just like MX, except more selective." I realize now how wrong this was of me. Groton clearly is a very unique school that has a campus EXACTLY like MX. Not saying this is a bad thing, I loved MX's campus. And also, on my tour I met the choir director and I'm going to sit in on a rehearsal when I come back for a second tour. The director seemed to like me and I'm also wondering how much this could potentially help me with admission. And finally, how selective is Groton? Is it harder to get into than E/A? Thanks!</p>
<p>@ifax: I would reccommend that you get away from the whole “my interview is should be totally in love with me” mindset. Interviewers, though kind and funny at times, see plenty of kids that read just the same books as you or have the same stats. Don’t expect them to fawn over you…sorry if this sounded mean; I was just giving advice.</p>
<p>agree with urbanflop
however, admissions at smaller schools such as groton tend to exhibit more excitement when meeting a good candidate than they do at PEA or PAA
therefore, beware of the opposite as well; it’s a good sign if they fawn over you but it is no guarantee of admission, particularly over the past couple of years</p>
<p>The OP asked if Groton was harder to get into than E/A. I think so but it is very different that E/A so it really depends on the candidate. I don’t know what Groton’s exact acceptance rate was last year, but it was in the teens. Had my son been accepted, (he was WLed) he tells me that he would have attended Groton instead of Exeter. So, as far as selectivity goes compared to E/A, just realize that Groton will admit around 30 boys/30 girls for 9th grade, there is a fairly high legacy rate (I think around 30% - please someone correct me if I am wrong!), and it has around 33% on FA (compared to close to half at Exeter and around 40% at Andover). Schools have specific needs every year and you never know what it may be so give it a try! Groton, IMHO, is one of “the great” schools in this country.</p>
<p>Also, Groton will send cards and notes to you. What does it mean? That it’s a classy school with good manners. Everyone there is very friendly. But what prepclassof82 said it correct, just because they seem to like you a lot (and they probably do!) is no guarantee of admission.</p>
<p>I could be mistaken, but based on some numbers thrown around in conversations between placement and admissions people, their rate may have been in high single digits.</p>
<p>I think your son will change his mind retroactively :-)</p>
<p>Okay time to respond. @urbanflop,
I know that, and I’ve gotten out of that mindset. This interview at Groton confirmed that for me.</p>
<p>@neatoburrito,
Well I would be one of the 33% on FA and the 30 boys/30 girls is the number of students who attended Groton. Groton probably accepted a bit more than 60 kids. But then again, I don’t know that for certain.</p>
<p>@prepclassof82,
On Groton’s website it says that it’s acceptance rate over the past few years for FP applicants has been between 25% and 30%. It says that it’s acceptance rate for FA applicants has been between 10% and 20%. On BS review it says that Groton’s acceptance rate is 19%. So… I’m guessing Groton accepts around 1 in 5 applicants. Groton does not have an acceptance rate in the single digits. I hope not because if it does then I have no chance of getting in. =)</p>
<p>Remember that Groton has rising 9th graders and also admits a handful of 10th graders. If I remember correctly, there’s usually about 30 8th graders moving up. Assuming a yield of around 70%, they would admit about 70 new 9th graders to have about 50 enroll, bringing the total 9th grade class to 80 - which seems about right. If anything, it’s probably less than that admitted because they might (I don’t know) save some 10th grade spots for kids who come from the Jr. BS that go to 9th grade.</p>
<p>Bottom line is that it is extremely selective, partly because it is so small. Single digits would not surprise me at all.</p>
<p>@ifax108, please do not let the low acceptance rates discourage you, admissions work in mysterious ways
I do know that they’ve had over 1000 applications in 2009 and in 2010.</p>
<p>@prepclassof82,
WHAT??? That makes their acceptance rate RIDICULOUSLY low!!! They only accept around 70 new ninth graders so I find that the acceptance rate is 7%!! That’s like, the acceptance rate of Harvard!!! I need to ask:
-How do you know this? Where did you hear this from? (Not saying that you’re lying, I just want to know)</p>
<p>Now I realize BS review isn’t always the most accurate source and that Groton’s website is slightly dated, but I don’t understand how Groton’s acceptance would suddenly become single-digit all of a sudden. If you can explain, that’d be great. And again, I’m NOT saying I think you’re lying, I just need to hear your source.</p>
<p>@ifax108,
the information comes directly from admissions office. They were very open about the whole thing when speaking to placement directors at schools from which kids were applying - I know a few families who applied last year.</p>
<p>@ifax: You need to try not to worry about stats so much as the type of people who’ll be competing against. You seem to be interested in stats so much that you’re not even thinking about if the school is right for you or other reasons to apply. Around this time last year, I wasn’t worrying so much about numbers and percentages as I was about interview times and scheduling/studying for the SSAT. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t think about the statistics of the schools you apply to, but maybe it’s time to concentrate on other aspects of your application;September is fast approaching.</p>
<p>@urbanflop,
You’re probably right. And I have interviewed at two schools already and I’m interviewing at two more this week. I have been studying for the SSAT. The reason I like to know about acceptance rates is that it helps me deal with the stress/worry. But I also have been thinking about which schools would be a good “fit” for me. Groton seems like a great fit, as do Exeter, Andover, Middlesex, and basically all the other schools I’m applying to. I think once the school year starts I’m not going to be on CC until I’m done with the applications. That way I’ll be able to concentrate more on my schoolwork, ECs, and applications, while still thinking about which schools I would “fit” well in.</p>
<p>ifax, Don’t worry too much. You have great stats and there is more than one school that is a great fit for anyone. Come March 10, you’ll be fine. Just relax…</p>
<p>@pulsar,
Thanks pulsar. I’m going to stop looking up schools acceptance rates/ stats. And I’m just not going to go on CC after school starts because it takes up a good amount of time.</p>
