<p>I hope I spelled the acronym in the title correctly, haha.</p>
<p>Hello! I'm interested in applying to boarding schools such as Andover as a freshman with a strong interest in creative writing. I always hear a lot about good math schools or good science schools, but what about good schools for those passionate about English? I've heard extensively of Milton, and am looking to broaden my search.</p>
<p>Thanks.(:</p>
<p>I’ve heard the middlesex has a decent writing program</p>
<p>From their website:</p>
<p>English
The English Department presents a series of courses which aims to accomplish two main goals: to cultivate students understanding of and pleasure in literature and to develop their ability to express their ideas fully, accurately, and convincingly in writing. We study in depth a wide range of texts from different genres, texts carefully chosen to provide students a rich exposure to great literature. We also ask students to write frequently throughout their careers, moving from shorter to longer writing assignments as the students mature. Wide-ranging Harkness-table discussions play an integral role in students intellectual development during all four years, as we believe that students ability to speak articulately about their ideas reinforces their ability to write clearly and precisely about them. </p>
<p>To reach these goals, the Department has established a three-year reading and writing program in which all students follow the same curriculum. The sophomore curriculum, with its Writing Workshop, is at the heart of the program: in this year students master the essential skills of both cogent analytical writing and correct and efficient style. The freshman year with its emphasis on literature in different genres, short writing assignments, and fundamentals of grammar and style prepares students for the sophomore year. The junior year provides students with a chance to hone their analytical skills, and polish their critical writing, as they continue to study challenging literary texts. All juniors then take the AP Literature & Composition and the AP Language & Composition Examinations at the end of the year. </p>
<p>The English curriculum for the senior year consists of a variety of semester-long elective courses, which allow students (and faculty) to pursue areas of particular intellectual interest.</p>
<p>intrinsically - You did, indeed, spell GLADCHEMMS correctly and I commend you for it.</p>
<p>signed-
leanid, GLADCHEMMS coiner ;)</p>
<p>To add a little more, I think it is safe to say that all the schools in GLADCHEMMS have strong English departments and, by extension, creative writing, so you probably can’t go wrong – but, to single out one or two over the others may be just splitting hairs.</p>
<p>Because the liberal arts are so important to these schools one can be very sure that the quality of something as essential as their language offerings is of a high order.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2010 hopeful! (:
I’ve been considering Middlesex but as of right now still uncertain…
Thank you, Mr. Gladchemms coiner, may I have your autograph? 
Yes, I know that New England schools, whether highly-regarded or not, often place a lot more emphasis in the liberal arts. Part of my reason for applying to boarding school is my strong interest in all of the humanities.</p>
<p>From what we saw at 3 of them, I presume that all of the HADES school have really strong English departments and put great emphasis on writing skills. I’m not sure if that’s because of a liberal arts orientation or simply because they recognize that strong written communication skills will carry one far no matter what their chosen path in life might be.</p>
<p>Mainer,</p>
<p>I think you hit it on the head in regards to the strong emphasis on writing at these schools. </p>
<p>I do want to remind you, however, that we are speaking of GLADCHEMMS not HADES. GLADCHEMMS gives a more complete picture of the very top schools. Others have adopted it. Won’t you join in?</p>
<p>Sorry, leanid, but I like HADES and GLADCHEMMS reminds me too much of something noxious I might find in a pharmacy or even an illegal drug emporium! :D</p>
<p>However, I readily agree that there are more than 5 “Tier 1” Boarding Schools.</p>
<p>That’s funny, I never thought of it quite like that but you may have a point!</p>
<p>Well, awhile ago I posted that the name really should be modified into GLADCHUMS, which, I said, was “more chummy”. It didn’t fly – I suppose that’s because Exeter’s “E” is not included. </p>
<p>I explained that Exeter – being Exeter – would always be included no matter what the acronym might be, and that in deference to our British cousins, upon whose ‘public schools’ our own boarding school system is patterned, we should include one of theirs in the acronym – as a link to the heritage. Soooo, Uppingham School is represented by the “U” in GLADCHUMS. (interestingly, Middlesex and Uppingham have had a joint exchange program for a number of years, so it isn’t THAT far fetched to include it in the acronym!)</p>
<p>I move that, hence forward, the top boarding schools in the U.S. be referred to as GLADCHUMS! (by the way, Milton and Middlesex share one M here in order to make sense of the compound word)</p>
<p>Who seconds that? ;)</p>
<p>How about GLADECHUMS? That sounds pretty friendly too. (I used to love glade skiing!)</p>
<p>Well…maybe…but what does that mean exactly as far as the schools are concerned? Do thay all have glades? Whereas…GLADCHUMS is fairly self-explanatory.</p>
<p>I’m sorry Exeter but you are all just going to have to be big boys and girls about it – but know this – Exeter’s presence in that august group is implicit! After all, it may have the most name recognition of any school in the country.</p>
<p>Now, once again, who will second GLADCHUMS? Uh…Mainer?</p>
<p>leanid, is it possible that there’s some NIH syndrome in play here? :D</p>
<p>Aside from that, I like the HADES acronym. I believe the best acronyms are the shortest ones. I also like HADES because of the mental imagery it stimulates, sort of consistent with the love-hate feelings that many of their students have about the toughest schools.</p>
<p>Also, it seems a bit paradoxical that you don’t mind leaving some significant letters out of GLADCHUMS while objecting to the HADES shorthand because it leaves out some letter(s) you consider personally significant. (Where are you Taft, Thacher, Peddie, etc. devotees? :eek:) </p>
<p>Wow, maybe we can create a tempest in a teapot! :p</p>
<p>Back to the original topic…
I’m at Middlesex, and the english program is really good. Even if you come in as a sophomore (like I did) they make you take a writing workshop, which really helps develop your skills. I don’t really know anything about the other schools, though.</p>