<p>Hi Rose2014! There aren’t many places to go for a cup of coffee inside of Deerfield- it’s a fairly small town- but there is this great place called Richardson’s. It’s a great place to go for ice cream or candy with friends and it’s only about a 5 min walk from the Academy. There also astore called Savage’s that’s only a couple more minutes down the road that you can buy other types of snacks from. As for other forms of entertainment, there’s a town about 10 minutes over where you can go to the movies and things of that sort. The greatest thing about DA is that the school understands that there isn’t always a whole lot to do on campus so often, they have trips to the area malls (they have all the major stores) and there’s always your friend’s games or your own to have something to do on the weekend!</p>
<p>Thanks deerfield15! And Rose2014, there are also 2 major trips to six flags every year which are so much fun even if you don’t enjoy roller coasters it’s fun to walk around, eat, and play games. Also to add on to what deerfield15 said, there is a store called BJs where you can buy bulk candy, chips, and things of that sort so that you don’t have to constantly restock! But if you choose to shop there you need to bring your own reusable bags. Plus even if there isn’t much to do on any given weekend you can usually count on there being a dance on campus or you can have a sleepover with your friends and just hang out and watch an watch some movies!</p>
<p>Deerfield15 and Bingalot…Thank you both for answering. </p>
<p>One more question. On weekends, do a lot of borders go home for the weekend? Does the school empty out?</p>
<p>Nonono the school most definitely does not empty out on weekends. In fact, you’ll find that quite the opposite happens because some day students sleepover, some families may visit, and there could be a buses full of students from different boarding schools arriving on campus to play against us in sports on weekends! Most people don’t go home during the weekends unless it is a special occasion like easter, family weddings,and things of that sort. No need to worry about the school being empty unless it’s a break in which it is mandatory for everyone to leave campus.</p>
<p>Thank you again. I will ask similar questions to a few other schools. I hope the answers will be similiar to yours! Although that might make final decisions harder if one is lucky enough to be accepted by many schools.</p>
<p>No problem! If you ever have anymore questions please don’t hesitate to ask them! And every school has something great to offer it’s just up to you to decide which school is the best fit for you.</p>
<p>Does Deerfield ever feel almost TOO secluded? Without a town nearby, it must be easy to feel trapped in a sort of “bubble” per say… thoughts?</p>
<p>You will often hear about the “Deerfield Bubble” but I personally don’t feel as though this comes from Deerfield being secluded…I mean, I may be wrong but at any boarding school it is easy to fall into a “rut” of some sort by having a predictable schedule (classes, hanging out with friends, games practices, etc…) and it’s no different at Deerfield. Yes, it is true that there is not a huge town close by but we aren’t in the middle of no where-it’s just that the nearest “big city” isn’t within walking distance. We learn to have fun with the resources we have. Obviously, every weekend isn’t going to be one to remember but Deerfield does a great job of planning trips, dances, and other fun activities on the weekends;and don’t forget what deerfield15 said about supporting your friends in their sports or playing your own. To answer your question I have never felt “too secluded”. Although, we do get most of our news by the internet or word of mouth…not too much television watching :)</p>
<p>Thanks, bingalot! It wasn’t a huge concern of mine, but I was just wondering.</p>
<p>Oh no I completely understand! I am a tour guide and that is most definitely one of the most frequently asked questions along with “So, what is your mascot?” haha</p>
<p>Hi, I will be a new student at Deerfield this year and was wondering about the first few days. First, what is the normal dress for registration? Usually I would assume very casual with moving in with shorts, etc. but it seems there are a lot of other activities, meals, orientations, etc. which makes me think dress may be a bit more formal? It also seems like there is hardly any time to move into the dorm rooms and unpack with all of the activities so was wondering how this worked? I know a lot of questions but also curious if you had any key thoughts on what to expect the first two days since it is a bit overwhelming. I will be a new sophomore so will not be part of the core incoming freshman group. Thanks!</p>
<p>I know it all seems very confusing now but I would say to move in wearing shorts etc.( you don’t want to be dressed in your new class dress clothes to lug suitcases around!) and as soon as you’re finished being settled in change into something more like class dress. It is true that move in day/registration is very hectic but when you register you should be given a packet with the opening day schedules that tell you where you need to be at any given point in the day. Registration doesn’t take very long and your unpacking may turn over to the next day (or you could leave a parent to finish up as you attend an orientation activity!). Although you won’t be a part of the core of incoming freshmen you will be a part of a large group of incoming sophomores and the incoming experience of both are similar, the only difference being that freshmen attend a two day camping trip. As for key incoming thoughts I would say to make sure that you have everything that you need when you arrive on campus so that you don’t keep running back and forth to the store (that also includes food that you may want). Also on the first day of classes the only thing you really need is a notebook, a pen, and a pencil because your teachers will tell you the supplies that you need and you can pick them up from the Hitchcock house (our campus store that has just about anything you might need).but if there is a certain school supply you can’t live without then I would suggest buying it at home and bringing it to DA with you.
Did all of this answer your questions? You should have also gotten an opening day schedule in your Deerfield email. To be honest the events of my registration/move in day are mostly a blur besides for our camping trip–you really won’t know the answers to all of these questions until the day of registration! And don’t worry, on that day there will be plenty of people willing to give answers.</p>
<p>Can you tell me what the cell phone policy is outside of the dorm? Are kids walking with their heads buried in their electronic device (phone, ipad, kindle, etc)?</p>
<p>One more question. (and then when I think of something else, I’ll probably have one more again!)</p>
<p>I know at Deerfield you have sit down lunches and dinner. I read this was only 30 minute meals. Do you feel rushed to eat? How many sit at a table? Do you really get a chance to talk to everyone at the table? Do most people like the sit down meals? If you finish your meal before the others, do you stay until the designated time to leave?</p>
<p>On our campus students are not allowed to walk around with their devices and if you need to make a call you are encouraged to go inside of building and not be out in the opening. The most electronic activity that goes on while walking the campus is someone listening to music through their mp3 players.
Keep the questions coming! We always joke that after coming home from DA that we are trained to eat1 quickly but in all honesty I’ve never felt rushed it is only after the fact that we all realized that it only took us 15 minutes to eat a whole meal! I believe that there are about 9 at a table? I’ll have to get back to you on specifics…it’s been so long! Some tables are more talkative than others but every now and then you get assigned a table that makes you look forward to every sit down meal. Conversation happens naturallly and most table heads (the adult staff member, sometimes senior) will push along conversations if the table is quiet. Although sit down meals are sometimes annoying I enjoy them because you really get to know people that you maybe wouldn’t have otherwise. And yes, you get in trouble if you leave the meal early. Plus, who would want to leave before dessert?? Our food is beyond delicious.</p>
<p>Did you have your interview with your parents or separate? I prefer interviewing individually because I feel more uncomfortable with my parents listening in and such.</p>
<p>I just realized I kind’ve hopped into the conversation out of the blue haha. I’ve been interested in DA since this spring! I just found this thread and was more than excited to get some answers that I probably would not have found on the website. Sorry if I practically spam this thread with a boat full of questions. Thanks!</p>
<p>GUYS, YOU DO NOT NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR ASKING QUESTIONS. I know how it is…I was once an incoming 8th grader who spent countless hours on these threads learning everything about boarding school that I possibly could! I’m happy to pass on my “wisdom” haha. As much wisdom as an incoming sophomore can give.
All of my interviews were separate but then again, I did not do my interviews on campus. I think the only time that interviews are conducted together is when the admissions office has a lot of families coming on campus to interview in a specific day–so if you’re worried when you call to schedule, ask if it is a good day (if they have several families scheduled already or not)!</p>
<p>BUMP! Almost done with our first full week of classes and I have some down time. Ask questions! My sophomore year is off to a great start right now.</p>
<p>[Deerfield</a> Rowers place Fourth at Junior World Championship](<a href=“http://deerfield.edu/2012/08/claire-collins-takes-silver-deerfield-olympic-rowers-place-fourth-overall/]Deerfield”>http://deerfield.edu/2012/08/claire-collins-takes-silver-deerfield-olympic-rowers-place-fourth-overall/)</p>