Boarding School Search Part II

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Okay, so I think I've decided that I'm applying to boarding school for tenth grade. I know I'll be happy at my private day school, so it won't be a huge deal if I don't get in or don't end up going. </p>

<p>So, I already have decided that I'm applying to St. Paul's and Andover. I'd like to keep the number of schools I apply to no more than 5. </p>

<p>I want schools with an excellent debate program and Model UN and a ton of humanities electives. Good tennis, crew, soccer, and lacrosse programs are a plus. Offering Greek is a plus, but not necessary. Good wind ensemble is great, too.</p>

<p>New England would be preferable, but California's good, too. Maybe Europe? I don't know.</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks</p>

2

<p>Tennis, crew, soccer AND lacrosse? And when you say "good" -- what do you mean by that? Are you proficient in those sports and only want to play for good teams? Or are you interested in being part of a school where other students who participate in those sports are extremely good? Or do you want the program to be "good" in the sense that it is established, but not so competitive that you can participate yourself?</p>

<p>What about Middle Atlantic states?</p>

<p>And, I believe you faced (and overcame) some parental challenges to attending a private school. Where do things stand in terms of their support for a new school search before you even begin this next endeavor? Even parents who are enthusiastic about the opportunity you are about to experience at your private day school would have some level of concern that you are going to have one fight out the door and never fully commit to that experience as you dream and aspire to being at a different place, doing different things, with different people in a year. If they are encouraging and supportive of Part II, you still need to work hard at being fully invested in what you have NOW and exploit that for all its worth, with a view that you are at the ideal place...and not at a way station.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
Tennis, crew, soccer AND lacrosse? And when you say "good" -- what do you mean by that? Are you proficient in those sports and only want to play for good teams? Or are you interested in being part of a school where other students who participate in those sports are extremely good? Or do you want the program to be "good" in the sense that it is established, but not so competitive that you can participate yourself?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm pretty good at soccer, and I just started lacrosse and tennis, and only have an interest in crew. So I suppose I meant that they have a good team for soccer, and good instruction and JV teams for tennis, crew, and soccer.</p>

<p>
[quote]
And, I believe you faced (and overcame) some parental challenges to attending a private school. Where do things stand in terms of their support for a new school search before you even begin this next endeavor?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They're supportive because they know that I loved Andover Summer Session and that I wanted this for a long time. I told them about my Andover interview, and they said I should visit other schools while I'm in the area, but I was unable to. I'm probably going to see two or three schools in a couple weeks. If I go, I'm definitely going to visit St. Paul's, maybe Exeter, and maybe Middlesex. I'm not sure yet, though. It's only a six hour drive from where I am now, so it's not a big deal just to drive down there for a couple days.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Even parents who are enthusiastic about the opportunity you are about to experience at your private day school would have some level of concern that you are going to have one fight out the door and never fully commit to that experience as you dream and aspire to being at a different place, doing different things, with different people in a year. If they are encouraging and supportive of Part II, you still need to work hard at being fully invested in what you have NOW and exploit that for all its worth, with a view that you are at the ideal place...and not at a way station.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I know, I'm already motivated to do my best at Greenhills. I've met a lot of really cool people already and am really excited for September. Like I said, boarding school isn't a do-or-die thing for me. Greenhills is a great school and I'd be more than happy to stay there for all four years of high school.</p>

4

<p>How about Deerfield? We were very impressed with it. </p>

<p>Do you want to add safeties? Or is staying at Greenhills your safety?</p>

5

<p>Deerfield seems a bit too rural for me..</p>

<p>I don't want any safeties. Like I said, I'm fine with staying at Greenhills.</p>

6

<p>What about Choate? :)</p>

7

<p>Could you tell me about Wallingford and the campus, Olivia?</p>

<p>Also, what ever happened with the Andover waitlist thing?</p>

8

<p>Hah, I took myself off. I couldn't chance that I'd get in and my parents would make me go.</p>

<p>Wallingford is a small town. It has a couple of big hang out spots - like the Half Moon and Archie's. It's quite quaint. There's a main street and a chapel and a bunch of tiny shops. I don't think there's a movie theater, but New Haven and Hartford are pretty near and some movies are shown at school. Like other schools, the town is considered part of the campus so you don't need a permission slip to go in. It's equidistant to New York and Boston - about an hour and a half each way. It works for me, anyway.</p>

9

<p>Thanks. How is the school campus? (dorms, academic buildings, etc.)</p>

10

<p>How about Exeter?</p>

11

<p>Milton has an extremely good tennis team.
and then i heard (emphasis on the HEARD) the rest of the sports are mediocre</p>

12

<p>I might visit Exeter, but I don't know.., it sounds a bit too science and math oriented for me.</p>

<p>I don't think I'd apply to Milton because it's only 50% boarding.</p>

13

<p>The dorms are pretty. Freshman year, all girls are basically in Nichols except for a few exceptions in Squire. However, since there is a 40+ influx of boys this year, I don't know how many won't be in Nichols. The boys dorm, Mem is next to Nichols. I think it's prettier. They both look out onto Memorial Circle (Mem Circle) where everyone hangs out. That's also near the softball field. Archbold is one of the prettiest buildings and it's the admissions buildings. The top two floors are senior dorms (or junior and senior, I think). The admissions building overlooks the Science Pond, which they use for Physics Phlotilla in the spring I believe. However it's illegal to swim in it. There's a bridge that connects the Science building (designed by the same person who designed the pyramid by the Louvre) and the PMAC - Paul Mellon Arts Center, also designed by I.M. Pei. It has a very modern look. More pictures on the website and boardingschoolreview.com (though that's the only thing, along with the student reviews, that I consider accurate on the site).</p>

<p>All the seniors live in basically small houses. </p>

<p>There's also the Paul Mellon Humanities Center, St. John Hall (mathematics building), and then I forget where the HPRSS department is.</p>

<p>The website has more information and pictures as well, but there's a slice!</p>

14

<p>Exeter may be perceived as science and math oriented, but from what I can tell the Harkness method works best in English and the Humanities.</p>

15

<p>Thanks, Olivia.</p>

<p>Also, could anyone comment on the debate program at Andover, Exeter, St. Paul's, and Middlesex?</p>

16

<p>Choate Choate Choate</p>