<p>Hi! I'm a sophomore at a small public school in the Midwest applying as a rising sophomore. I decided to apply to boarding school after helping a friend (now a freshman at Choate) with the process. My parents are letting me apply to two "reaches"; I have chosen one will be Choate and the other will be either Andover or Deerfield. I'm looking for advice on which school will be the best fit for me.</p>
<p>I'm lower income, gay, Asian, prefer the humanities (considering film or philosophy major in college) to science, not involved in sports, and am passionate about political activism and social justice. I'm looking for a tight-knit, friendly, and academically rigorous environment with strong support for the humanities.</p>
<p>I prefer Deerfield's (seemingly) friendlier environment, smaller size, surroundings, dress code, and general feel to Andover. However, I'm concerned by rumors of classism and homophobia and racism and general clique-iness at Deerfield. While these rumors might be based on old stereotypes, the fact that they exist suggests that Deerfield is not entirely friendly to minorities.</p>
<p>I prefer Andover's higher emphasis on the humanities, stronger activist culture, better prestige, and (according to my friend) better LGBT support. However, I'm concerned that I might get lost considering Andover is a much bigger school than Deerfield. </p>
<p>I think the concerns you have regarding rumors need to be reconsidered. ANY school --public or private – day or boarding – is going to have elements of what you’ve mentioned. It’s impossible to find a high school anywhere that is free of these issues. </p>
<p>You will be able to find strong humanities, activism, prestige, and LGBT support at any good school. Like-minded students can also be found everywhere. There will always be the dominant groups at any high school. It IS high school, after all. But there will also always be pockets of kind, open-minded, inclusive students and wonderful teachers at any high school. </p>
<p>Try not to listen to all the rumors or stereotypes and visit each school you are interested in, if at all possible. You truly won’t know which school is a better fit until your feet hit the campus. You REALLY do need to be at the school to figure out the fit component. You won’t be able to fully suss it out from view books and websites or forums. Even if you can only go to revisit days, you must visit the schools in person at some point.</p>
<p>I honestly didn’t believe this advice when I heard it repeated over and over on this forum. However, as soon as we started visiting schools, I realized this advice is sound. </p>
<p>One school was knocked off our list after 5 minutes on campus. Beautiful campus, friendly people, well-endowed school…but something did not feel right from the moment we stepped out of the car. We couldn’t ever really fully identify exactly what it was, but the entire family wanted off that campus as soon as possible. It was an overwhelming in-your-gut feeling. No rhyme or reason for it. But the sense that something was NOT right (for us) could not be denied. On the other hand, a school we had nearly dismissed before visiting shot to our number one choice.</p>
<p>Do your research, follow your heart, trust your gut. You’ll know which schools are right for you. And the schools will likely know too. </p>
<p>If you are able to come east for a tour it would be great for you to see each school in person, and then decide where to apply. Deerfield and Andover are about a 2 hour drive, so doable in a short period. Many kids interview at multiple schools, then complete the application on fewer.</p>
<p>I would keep Choate, punt both Andover and Deerfield for the reasons you are stating, and instead add a better fit as a second school: my suggestion would be to look at NMH, Middlesex and St. Paul’s for starters.</p>
<p>My DS started at Deerfield this year, finds it very friendly and open so far, and definitely has diverse (ethnically) group of friends. Minorities seem comfortable, according to him. School does have LGBTQ community and GSA (as I imagine all these schools have) and I asked him about size and comfort level of that particular community and he said he honestly doesn’t know. As Pops2017 said, however, you will only get a sense of how welcoming these schools will be for you if you visit. And all of them will have strong humanities, some activism-- but some classism and some closed minded creeps, as well. Don’t just believe stereotypes-- although I’m sure, once you visit, you will find some schools to be a much better fit than others.</p>
<p>Think OP is asking for suggestions on “reach schools”… You can’t go wrong with either, but I’m biased in favor of Andover. It’s a bigger school with distinctively diverse student body, which means it’s easier to find like-minded peers. It’s need-blind and very generous in giving out fiancial aid and that should take care of your “low income” background. And I assume you have done your homework in getting to know some basics of these schools, so you should know Andover is known for its strong humanities programs. While I don’t think being gay is an issue in either school, thanks to the school’s long history of supporting LGBT community and a devoted cluster dean, The Andover GSA is the second oldest GSA in the nation and one of the most active student organizations on campus, and you will certainly find a home there. Good luck!</p>
<p>Obviously, I’m biased, but for the sake of others with similar concerns, I want to share this link to a fantastic video made by the Choate Filmmaking Society for SMASS last year:</p>
<p>I also suggest you take a serious look at Concord Academy. My C is a freshman day student there, and loving it. The arts, including film (one of my C’s main interests), are very well supported. General environment is casual/informal. Excellent support for LGBT. Student-teacher relationships stands out as much more collaborative than hierarchical. While a lot of students are interested in sports (mine is), school spirit definitely does not revolve primarily around athletics. Please feel free to PM me if you are interested.</p>
<p>NMH is very close to Deerfield and the NMH Dean of Students is gay as is the current sophomore class president so obviously an accepting and diverse community there. if you visit Deerfield I would try and see NMH as well if you can? The new arts center is gorgeous too as is the campus. FA is very competitive though so it might be more of a reach for many than the %s suggest. As many have noted, your interests suggest you would be a good fit there</p>
<p>Andover, although it seems big is a very tight nit community especially because of the cluster system. Don’t worry about getting lost. I haven’t yet.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss. Our school president is openly LGBTQ and so are many other kids. Very accepting place for any type of minority. Also has a very similar feel to Hotchkiss, with a very rural campus.</p>
<p>Andover has a truly excellent LGBTQ scene. I’m friends with the co-head of GSA, as well as some board members, and the GSA as a whole is extremely helpful. Even the conservative students here at PA are respectful towards their queer peers.</p>
<p>I have a friend who now attends Deerfield, and it seems a bit more conservative and formal to me. But of course, take all of this with a grain of salt; you have to visit the school for yourself!</p>