Applying to Prep School!!!

<p>hmmm...I believe the applications at each school last year were roughly 1500. Could be up to a 1650 per school? That's a heck of a lot of people. I pray though...</p>

<p>Exeter has a 14% increase.. that means about 2280 have applied compared to last years 2000 (actually 1987 or something, but whatever). That's a LOT of people.</p>

<p>Where are you guys getting these numbers? Only the very inside would know those.</p>

<p>i can't speak for tara, but a close family friend that is a regional rep for one of the big 6 schools told my family.</p>

<p>You guys got the Junior applicant numbers? What about the international numbers?</p>

<p>jtc, those nimbers can change, depending if students left or were tossed.</p>

<p>Is anyone here applying to Andover? If so, I can answer some questions you might have.</p>

<p>What are the pros/cons of Andover, Raspberry Smoothie? Sorry about the lying on app thing. I geuss I read it wrong. How did you figure I was a girl? Whoa!!!:):(:)</p>

<p>Raspberry- how do you respond to the allegations often made that Andover is a 'cut-throat' school? I am excited about the competition afforded by a school like that, but cut-throat has other implications I find less exciting.</p>

<p>Dont woory about it esa- you confused me with 280W.</p>

<p>I figured you were a guy, and so was jtc. I think of jazzpiano as a girl, prepparent as a woman. The one thats a real mystery to me is Momofwildchild. Hmmm...</p>

<p>TJ Ouch! Another identity crisis!!!!!!!!! I'm a MAN! lol</p>

<p>hahaha LOL. i thought prepparent was a woman too. we're all sexually oriented with the names...</p>

<p>if I'd chosen frostbluejay, I bet ya'll thought I'd be a girl.</p>

<p>You guys are getting distracted from the fact that these statistics of huge pool of applicants is really depressing.
I'm someone who could squeak in on a normal year - but probably not on a huge year with hundreds of more applicants. I wonder if the applicants ar looking like stronger or if there are just more of them?</p>

<p>ugggh</p>

<p>We're not forgetting. We just dont like to think about it.</p>

<p>Its a month away. We'll know soon enough. In the meantime, sit down, study. Or do what I do. Sit down, try to study, and instead spend time rambling around the CC boards.</p>

<p>Now I'm confused</p>

<p>Good luck to those who are applying!</p>

<p>Well, having spent the past three years here, I can't help but feel a twinge of regret every time I remember I'm leaving after this year!</p>

<p>Andover is a great place not only because it has all the characteristics of great boarding schools (amazing facilities, intimate classes, resources to pursue anything you want) but because of some unique things as well. Because most people here are already applying to boarding school, I'll point out it's distinct differences:</p>

<p>-Andover is a big boarding school. I like that because it's less stifling than some smaller boarding schools, and a lot less homogenous. It works more like a college than a prep school. That can swing either way- depending on your preference. I should add though, that if you still want an intimate community, the school is divided into "clusters." Clusters are basically just a group of dorms in the same area, but clusters also compete in intramural sports like frisbee and soccer and sponser events like the "Abbot Cabaret" Talent Show. They're a nice way to get to know some people in a smaller setting.</p>

<p>-Yes, there is a lot of work. To address your quetsion, tj, I'd say it's true that Andover is only for a certain type of person. You have to be motivated, have self-discipline, and be willing to search for what you want- it's all there as long as you know how to find it. But then again, every time I complain about work, I remember how in middle school I USED to complain everything was so easy and how much busy work there was. This is much better- you get a lot done and I feel sooo ready for college. Also, while most people can be a little grade-obsessed, it's certainly not competitive in any way. People will be glad to share notes with you, form study groups, and so on. It's more of a "we're in it together" attitude. The other day I spent three hours at my house counselor's apartment talking about Oedipus with a few other students. It was the quintissential Andover moment.</p>

<p>-More independence. Andover offers more freedom than other boarding schools (including certain ones in New Hampshire! jk) like no dress code, no mandatory chapel, no sit-down dinners, no lights out for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, more flexible study hours and traveling permission. This is a double-edged sword, as you have to be disciplined. You can leave campus as long as you stay in town, but most people end up staying on campus anyway. I can't emphasize enough- there are going to be a million things you want to do- be organized!</p>

<p>-Amazing guests. We seriously bring the best guests to campus: Peter Jennings, Vanessa Kerry, Tobias Wolff, Alan Dershowitz, Dispatch, Yo-yo Ma. And they're really good, too. We didn't have All-School this week, but there have been so many times we've had standing ovations for amazing speakers that I can't even count them all.</p>

<p>-Boston's proximity. 'Nuff said there.</p>

<p>Well, that's all I can think of for now. If you have specific questions, PM me or ask, and I'll do the best I can.</p>

<p>Yo Yo Ma! Omg!!!</p>

<p>Dragonreborn, give us an update from Deerfield!!! Have you heard anything about apps being way up? Has it met up to your expectations? Let us know.</p>

<p>I know not many on this thread are applying to middlesex, but for what's it worth, apps are also up.</p>

<p>I thought esa was a girl too! Sry.</p>