<p>A big congrats to those who are newly accepted at Deerfield, and those who are still waiting or have been placed on the WL, stay hopeful!! </p>
<p>I'm a current student at Deerfield Academy, and I'm here to answer your questions about the school, classes, dorm life, food, etc. Just nothing personal, please. And be specific, thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks, D. What, from your perspective, is the most common misunderstood thing about Deerfield? And what would you tell prospective students if you could?</p>
<p>2kids-as a parent the biggest misunderstanding is that all the kids are athletes and beautiful–lol. Granted all kids are beautiful, the depth of the student body off the playing fields is overwhelming. School spirit is just downright thrilling, the kids love their school and they show support big time. (My d, who cant swim, is the biggest water polo fan and supporter).</p>
<p>As my d says, she has no hand/foot eye coordination, thus no sports for her (she is a classical ballet dancer), but she feels just as special as the athletes. The kids that act, or write for the school’s journals are just as supported. </p>
<p>I also think that DA gets a bad rep because they have such a large number applying but have fewer spots than schools like Exeter and Andover, and have decided not to become larger. They just have to select fewer students, making it in some eyes more selective.</p>
<p>Hello! (background information for questions below: I’m bilingual - English & Chinese, and am very fussy about food)</p>
<p>1) Joining as a sophomore, would I feel left out? Because most people do start off as freshmen in Deerfield, right?
2) I heard that there were some minor drug issues a couple of years back (never acted on by authority), do students usually rat on the offenders?
3) IS THE FOOD GOOD? 
How is it served? (buffet/packed)
4) Are we really allowed to take up any extra-curricular we want? (even if we’ve never played it before) Is it more beneficial to take up something that you have done before, or to try something completely new?
5) For which subjects are there selection tests for?
6) What is the highest level of Chinese taught?
7) Is it common for students to take up a new language at Deerfield? Or do they continue with Latin or whatever they have learnt before? Would you recommend that I take up a new language considering that I have no background whatsoever in it?
8) What do girls usually wear that is appropriate yet not overly conservative?
9) Is there racial discrimination and bullying?
10) Which classes have the best teachers?
11) What times do you usually sleep at? During non-exam and exam periods respectively.</p>
<p>That was long… thank you! :)</p>
<p><3 geekandproudofit</p>
<p>Thank you, Alexz825Mom. It is always wonderful to hear of a parent & student who are happy with the decision! Loved the comment about not being a swimmer yet being a water polo fan :)</p>
<p>1) Joining as a sophomore, would I feel left out? Because most people do start off as freshmen in Deerfield, right?
I’m a new sophomore and I didn’t have any issues at all, but more than that, there are so many new students and new sophomores that it’s not hard at all.
2) I heard that there were some minor drug issues a couple of years back (never acted on by authority), do students usually rat on the offenders?
I couldn’t tell you about drug issues, since I’ve been here the only student to leave because of drugs was allegedly eavesdropped on by a teacher, but I don’t really know specifics.
3) IS THE FOOD GOOD? How is it served? (buffet/packed)
Food is excellent, it’s really really fantastic. At sit down meals, food is served family style (in big servers for the whole table) and portioned out by the table head, at walk through meals it’s served buffet style.
4) Are we really allowed to take up any extra-curricular we want? (even if we’ve never played it before) Is it more beneficial to take up something that you have done before, or to try something completely new?
You can take any cocurricular you want, and it really depends on your preference on what you choose to do. I wouldn’t say it’s more beneficial either way.
5) For which subjects are there selection tests for?
There are placement tests for Math, French, and Spanish.
6) What is the highest level of Chinese taught?
Chinese 6, and then you can always do independent study with a teacher in a tutorial setting.
7) Is it common for students to take up a new language at Deerfield? Or do they continue with Latin or whatever they have learnt before? Would you recommend that I take up a new language considering that I have no background whatsoever in it?
It is very common for students to take up anew language. I’m actually in Latin and French, with experience in both of them (I’m at the level 3 and 3 honors level for each), but my friends have started from the beginning in all languages. If my schedule could handle it, I would definitely have taken Chinese or Arabic or something like that, and I might take Greek in the future as it seems nice to have with the Latin. Definitely take a new language if you want to!<br>
8) What do girls usually wear that is appropriate yet not overly conservative?
In the fall a sundress with a cardigan isn’t in my opinion overly conservative at all, in the winter a sweater and cords probably.
9) Is there racial discrimination and bullying?
I haven’t seen or experienced any racial discrimination or bullying…
10) Which classes have the best teachers?
This is a really hard question to answer, since it depends on what subject you’re talking about. My teachers are all really great though, so I think whoever you end up with will be good. Teachers also tend to teach different classes every year (for example my Algebra II teacher also teaches BC Cal, but last year taught Geometry and other math classes), so it’s hard to say which classes have the best teachers.
11) What times do you usually sleep at? During non-exam and exam periods respectively.
I’m a little out of the norm, but I try to get to bed at 11 every school night, and if I have work left over after 11:30, I’ll do it the next morning instead of staying up late. People usually get to bed between 10:30 and 1 depending on your grade, what classes you take, and the person.</p>
<p>Do you have study hall? Can you study in the library in the evenings or you have to study only in your room?</p>