<p>Is it true it is hard if you get in to Hotchkiss in his/her Sophomore years because the school require you to finish certain classes, which is hard to do it in 3years without sacrificing some extracurricula?
Thanks</p>
<p>I am not sure at Hotchkiss, search their website for graduation requirements. My d applied as a sophomore and I researched nearly 20 school and did not find the requirements as an incoming sophomore overwhelming nor did the student need to sacrifice EC’s. As long as you completed a full load you freshman year it seems that anyone would be fine. </p>
<p>Now if you entered your freshman year behind, then you have others factors to consider. </p>
<p>An option is to be a repeat freshman. I wish my d could have done that. It does not mean you are a failure and you wont repeat any classes you passed. But it would give you four years of bs. </p>
<p>Consider the options and talk to the schools that interest you.</p>
<p>Thanks for your answer. And, do you really think it’s worth repeating freshman year? Could you explain why? I understand that the freshman year must be the time mostly to adjust to the new environment and make friends. From Sophomore, it will get harder, I guess.</p>
<p>My son enrolled in the 10th grade at THS last fall. He didn’t miss a beat athletically, academically or extracurricularly. He was fortunate on all of these fronts primarily because he had spent four years prior to enrollment at Hotchkiss in a very rigorous program at an all boys, private day school in our home town. If you have a strong background and self-discipline, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about losing your way as a first year lower mid at Hotchkiss.</p>
<p>toombs–my child has had the same successful beginning as a new sophomore, but from a different background. My d didnt have a great 1st yr of high school experience but she was homeschooled for 6th-8th grades and i was tough. I believe her strongest asset was her independence and time management skills. Her new school has been so warm and inviting with great adults, proctors and classmates. The place does surely matter. </p>
<p>As far as repeating freshman year, I feel it is a chance for you to have 4 years at bs. The boarding school “bubble” is similar to the home “bubble” protection, guidance, etc. If the student needs more time, for classes, sports, maturity, age, these would be a good reason to repeat.</p>
<p>My d just turned 15 in very late august, thus she is very young. Since she didnt repeat, she will consider a gap year after graduation or a full year abroad during college. </p>
<p>As a college professor, I see students rushing to “get to the next level” to only later realize they should have slowed down and enjoyed the wonderful moments of high school and college. </p>
<p>Once you “grown-up” you are grown; enjoy the journey. If you ask most adults, many will tell you they would take more time and smell the roses.</p>
<p>Good Luck in your adventure.</p>
<p>AO’s told us that around 20 percent of boys (less for girls) repeat their freshman or soph year. Mostly due to athletics. THS has PG’s, as do most of the schools it plays against. There is a big difference between a true freshman (around 14 years old) competing against 18 or 19 year olds. If they’re not technically PG’s, most athletes have repeated a year somewhere, so are still 18 or 19 as a senior. While the reason is primarily athletics, it can also make a difference academically to be a year older. Less of a factor for girls, since they mature a lot earlier.
My wife considers those that do a repeat year as having made an intelligent choice.</p>
<p>Bewildered2 – I’m also considering applying to THS as a sophmore, possibly as a repeat freshman because the academics at my current school are not challenging. I find Hotchkiss’s credit requirements for sophomores a little more lenient than the other schools: new sophomores are only asked to finish one year of a lab science as compared to the 2 year science requirement at most other NE schools; only 1 semester of any art is required while (I vaguely remember) that Andover asks for 2 terms of art in 2 different disciplines. If you’re not into science or arts, I think you would be able to satisfy these requirements quickly to concentrate on your areas of interest and participate in ECs. </p>
<p>For me, I expect that when I go to bs, there will be times when I have to prioritize i.e sacrificing some things (ECs, free periods, athletics etc.) for the others (academics, arts etc.).</p>
<p>assing, it is good to know THS 's requirement is more lenient than others.
By the way, sorry I am bringing a different subject: How will asking financial support will affect the chance to get in, not only THS but the other bs? I heard TSP will not mind at all if you’d asked Fa? Thanks</p>