<p>Karabas, any more extras on loomis? I looked at it but didnt see any real distinguishing facts from the other schools i'm applying.... (I may change my mind, though it may be too late).</p>
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<p>Please tell me more. Science is an interest of our son's. What makes the science program at Loomis stand out? What are some of the classes and activities that would be especially appealing to a science-liking student at Loomis?</p>
<p>How is Choate supposed to be pronounced?</p>
<p>I've heard someone from Andover's admission staff, who ought to know, pronounce it to rhyme with "boat" or "rote." But I look at that word in print, and I always want to pronounce it like the same string of letters in the word "inchoate." So, yeah, just how do people at the school pronounce the name?</p>
<p>Chote.....long O. Choate like boat, goat, note. It is that simple.</p>
<p>That pronunciation better fits the school's nickname from the 1980s drug scandal: Coke-Nosebury Hall. </p>
<p>So just what is the drug scene like at the major prep schools these days? I have to say that that is the most common question I get from my local friends whose children are going to be here next year, when I mention that my son is applying to prep schools out east. Rumor I have already heard (and read), but who has some information?</p>
<p>The best I can tell you is that it is hard to achieve academically when one is "nosed" all the time. To tell you that drugs don't exist would be lying. Is doing drugs a major focus for fun=NO. Are there drugs at your local HS=YES. Do you think someone will push your kids to drugs......NO. Boarding School is much like college, it is busy, hard, lots of work and always the homework monkey on your back. Does that help?</p>
<p>Science in LC? Ok, lets see...</p>
<p>Our school is so good at bio that it in fact does NOT offer the AP Bio test. Why? Because the elite colleges, such as Harvard and MIT do not give credit for AP Bio, even if you receive a 5 on the AP exam. Instead, our school offers Microbiology and Molecular Biology. These are courses that are usually taught in college sophomore/junior year. NO JOKE. I took those classes as a junior and with that course was able to get into the Rockefeller University summer program. Rockefeller U is probably one of the most famous research institutions in this country. There were about 50 other kids in the program and I was the ONLY one who had an idea of what was going on when I walked into my lab for the first time. In fact, I haven't really seen any equipment in my lab at Rockefeller that I haven't seen in Loomis. This is an opportunity few people get.</p>
<p>As my Molec teacher said - Thai scholars usually apply to Andover and Exeter for academics. But for bio, they come to Loomis. Go figure.</p>
<p>We also offer Anatomy & Physiology, Genetics, Astronomy, and I think we have a few more new bio courses being offered starting next year.</p>
<p>The average AP exam score in both AP Physics and AP Chemistry is around a 4. Last year, AP Chem had an average of 4 even though one student received a 1 (slept through the test). These two tests are the hardest APs there are and having such a high average speaks for itself, I think.</p>
<p>We have beautiful facilities. Every class has ITS OWN lab - no conflicts between classes. Oh, and guess what? Starting the summer of this year we're COMPLETELY RENOVATING the science building. I saw the plans... it's going to be amazing. I'm really jealous of the younger students here at LC as they will get to see and use that facility. It's great.</p>
<p>So that's our science. Note that I only mentioned a few courses. We, in fact, offer MUCH more than just those three subjects. Our science course selection is great - probably more courses than any other prep school.</p>
<p>LC also has THE best theatre/acting program if you're into that. A lot of our alumni are actually professional actors now. We are also scheduled to build a new broadway-style performing arts center with a huge stage, etc. It's going to be great as well. We offer such an amount of courses in theatre that we, in fact, outcompete some COLLEGES. It's true - we have more theatre courses than some colleges do.</p>
<p>We have a very strong English department. Our required Writing Workshop course turns almost every student into a good writer who is prepared for college and any willing student into a great writer. There's no comparison between what I can write now and what I used to write as a freshman.</p>
<p>I think for me, though, the very best part of Loomis is its community. We are the friendliest, easiest-going school you will find out there. It takes literally no time to find friends here. As people have said, we have a GORGEOUS campus and that just adds to the sense of community we have in here. LC has a unique culture that's different from any other prep school. We are not stuck-up, unlike some of the kids at Choate and Exeter are, probably because we don't have all the presidents of the U.S. as our alumni. But we are open and we are welcoming. I think LC makes kids feel at home with great ease.</p>
<p>Also, we have the greatest connections with our teachers. Teachers here can be our best friends - and they often are. They sit at lunch with you, they visit you, they stay and chat with you on the walkway. A lot of them live in the dorms and so are easily accessible. Since we are a relatively small community, we can make great bonds with our teachers. Since I am applying to relatively big colleges, I think the connection with teachers is one of the aspects of Loomis I'm gonna miss a lot.</p>
<p>When I applied to prep schools, I only got into LC, which was my second choice. I was kind of disappointed, but looking back now, I couldn't have made a better choice. I know parents often times worry about getting into the school that is the BEST academically and the STRONGEST in everything, but I find that funny. Even college undergrad doesn't matter that much. High school even more so. True, LC doesn't graduate 20+ kids into the Ivies every year like Exeter does. Our most popular college to go is Georgetown, followed closely by BU and BC. That doesn't mean you are disadvantaged here, though. If you want to get ahead, like I did, you can. It's easy. The school will support every step of the way. We have a very good connection with University of Hartford, so it's easy to take courses there if you ever want to.</p>
<p>I think it's funny that I got rejected from all the other schools as I am applying to so many elite schools this year. I'm waiting for my Harvard decision, which is coming out tomorrow. The best part about my college career is that I think I know almost for sure what I want to do. I'm a biologist, just like so many college freshmen are. But unlike any of them, I KNOW what real bio is all about. I know the dangers of the subject and I am willing to tackle them. Few others have that chance.</p>
<p>True, I've worked really hard and was put under a lot of stress, especially junior year. But LC has been here to support me all the way. Without this great community, my four years of high school would have been horrible.</p>
<p>You might think I'm some guy hired to present my school in the best light - but I'm not. I'm just another student here on CC who sits in the Harvard discussion forum and complains about how he can't sleep at night because he's so nervous about the decision. But I am an RA in my dorm and a volunteer tour guide for the school for a reason - I love this place. And I'm not the only person you'll hear it from.</p>
<p>Wow, that was long. I'm not gonna get into sports. If anybody needs a run-down on our sports, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Karabas,</p>
<p>You certainly do a much better job at promoting Loomis than the school does...my daughter received their "viewbook," and was quite underwhelmed, as it dd not give us much information about the school. She had decided not to apply, but with this new information from you, we are quite intriqued. You do a great job of describing the biology program, which is my D's favorite subject. In fact, she will be doing a genetics internship this summer at a top medical school genetics lab, and will be looking for some challenging high school bio courses after that. </p>
<p>I will take a renewed look at Loomis. Can you provide some information about athletics, as my D is also a varsity athlete. Are they competitive with the other boarding schools? Do students there do a good job of balancing academics and athletics?</p>
<p>Thanks for the info about Loomis. My son, who was looking over my shoulder as we read the post, said, "There sure is some school pride there."</p>
<p>Loomis-Chaffee is indeed a fine school. Our child chose not to attend primarily because of its 60/40 boarding/day student ratio, which probably affects the community feel (at least on weekends). But certainly the campus is beautiful, with its handsome, neogeorgian buildings laid out in geometric simplicity. In short, it has elegance.</p>
<p>The faculty we met on revisit day was of very high caliber and certainly imparted a sense that academics were rigorous and a top priority.</p>
<p>Sports are big at Loomis too. For instance, it was the only school to beat Deerfield in lacrosse last year, and ranks somewhere in the top 15 nationwide.</p>
<p>Frankly, I have always wondered why it has not quite reach the "highest" levels of private secondary education in terms of prestige. It appears to have all the ingredients, including a substantial endowment. </p>
<p>As for well known alumni, I was struck by how many there are (take a walk along the corridors of the main building and you will see numerous framed photos of former students whose names are very familiar). One who comes to mind is George Shultz, former secretary of state.</p>
<p>I think Loomis-Chaffee is underrated and I can see no substative reason why it should be.</p>
<p>The 60/40 ratio concerns me as well. All the other schools we're looking at have at least 75% boarding, which is important to us, as my daughter will be too far away to come home most weekends. We don't want a campus that empties out on the weekends. Otherwise, I agree that Loomis looks like a great school with a beautiful campus.</p>
<p>Karabas: how is LC sports (especially in field hockey, i'm interested in that)....?</p>
<p>How do you pronouce LC by the way... Low-miss or Loo-mis?</p>
<p>Loo as in "moo" (silly cow)</p>
<p>dabost - I think you are overrating the whole day student ratio thing. 60/40 isn't bad. We still have 300 boarders on campus and plus - we often have events on campus that bring day students on weekends. You are right, there are weekends when the school "empties out" - but those are the weekends when almost all the boarders decide to go home, not because the day students didn't come. That has often been a bigger problem with weekends, not the lack of day students. However, every boarding school is going to have empty weekends like that. There are simply nights when it's a good time to go home, and 90% of the kids pack up and go home. You're not going to escape that by going to a school with more boarders. On top of that when it is improbable for people who live too far away to go home it is common that day students will invite a friend or two home with them to relax and enjoy the comforts of a normal family. In fact visiting of day students houses whether for team dinners or sleep overs generally contributes to the emptiness of weekends.</p>
<p>dxu33 - Field Hockey is easily one of the hardest fall sports for competitive girls. With last years team earning an impressive record of 17-5 they're major competitors in the prep school world. With the amazing ex-body builder Mrs. Moran as the coach, the program utilizes all techniques from strenuous training to yoga and relaxation exercises. From herbies which the team runs for warm ups (usually around 42 one girl says) to practicing until darkness has fallen only to complete one last stretch of the day the team embodies school spirt, cheering for other Loomis teams from soccer and football to water polo when they are not playing their own game.</p>
<p>Girls lax and girls soccer are amazing teams, too. Girls soccer went 20-0-0 this year. They are unbelievable. Loomis in general is growing as an athelticly gifted school while strides have been taken to move away from the jock school image and point to the impressive academics. A three year New England champ wrestling team and a two year New England champion skiing team speak for themselves. Among other sports a good friend keeps me readily informed of aquatic dominance. While the girls varsity swimming team repetatively ranks among the top two or three prep school in New England, the boys firmly control an impressive line up of depth and speed. Finnally, Loomis hockey is rebuilding their coaching staff and beating strong teams like Deerfeild and in the future expect to be high competitors in the league. The Founders League is THE most competitive league in the US and is the biggest breeding ground for D1 level schools. </p>
<p>Oh, and lets not forget out lengendary lacrosse team with the fearless coach "Grim," who has been coaching and teaching one of the best economics classes ever taught in a prep school for almost fifty years.</p>
<p>Loomis challenges students to get involved in sports, creating life long friends through the bonds met on the feild, on the ice, or in the pool. Cross country and other sports allow students of any athletic ability to compete with New England level competitors within a program which constantly turns out championship winners. </p>
<p>Of course, we are not strong in every sport. Volleyball (which I unfortunately play) for both boys and girls has not won any significant matches in years and squash and boys tennis definitely could use a few star players. Oh, and lets not forget our football team that has not won a game in two years. </p>
<p>The greatest thing about sports is that sports create a close-knit, trusting community that extends beyond the sports themselves. Teammates aren't kids you pass the ball or the puck to - they are kids who help you with homework, who stay at your house for vacation, and the kids you talk to when you feel bad. The games themselves are always frequented by support from other teams as well as parents and other well-wishers. The boys' polo team received numerous emails just this last season from soldiers in Iraq following their progress via the internet. </p>
<p>The most amazing thing about sports here I think is that we have students who are tri-varsity athletes while pulling a high-honors GPA. Loomis definitely knows how to balance sports and academics. Kids who want to stay on top of both worlds defnitely have the ability to do so.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments about sports. How many of the rest of the current students reading this thread do a varsity sport? The large number of sports at most prep schools, combined with smallish enrollments per class, makes it look like there are reasonably good odds to get on board at least a J.V. sports team, but I suppose targeted recruiting also means that many prep teams have some very well prepared student athletes so that it might be difficult to be a walk-on. Just how feasible is it for someone to try to become a three-season varsity athlete over the course of a four-year prep school career? What kind of physical activity involvement is there at your school for the students who don't get onto the interscholastic teams?</p>
<p>Thanks Karabas, I am really interested in LC now, except their viewbook was kinda weird... lol</p>
<p>Sports at prep schools are a little disheartening sometimes, because one will build themselves up for four years, JV2, JV1, Varsity bench, and then senior year expecting to get that starting job for all the work they've put in, and then a PG comes in and takes it.</p>
<p>Did any of you take up a new sport from the very beginning after starting to attend prep school?</p>