Cranbrook anyone?

Prep School Admissions
21

<p>Hi guys! I’m a fairly recent Cranbrook alum (boarder) that had friends at most of the other top-notch schools in Michigan (DCD, Roeper, Liggett, Interlochen, IA, etc.) and must say I’m wondering if some of you know even a shred about what you’re talking about.</p>

<p>For starters, it is NOT “well-regarded that Cranbrook is [academically] inferior to [DCD and Greenhills].” That’s probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read. This is not to say that DCD and Greenhills are subpar in any way. On the contrary, they are some of the finest institutions the state. But to go so far as to say Cranbrook lags behind the others is reckless–ignorant, at best. Jenny Craig was nice enough to post the numbers, so I won’t bother with those. Instead, I’ll focus on the intangibles that made Cranbrook the single best thing to ever happen to me.</p>

<p>There’s more to education than SATs, ACTs, GPAs and the college you end up going to. A good high school helps students nurture their academic skill-sets and become well-rounded individuals. The administrators, house advisors, coaches and teachers were more concerned with the character of the students than their grades. This is what makes Cranbrook a highly sought after destination for parents to send their kids. It takes a village to raise a child and it just so happens that Cranbrook IS a village. LITERALLY.</p>

<p>Cranbrook has a 364-acre campus. Teachers have housing on campus as do house advisors (for the dormitories), deans and coaches. All of us - students, teachers, administrators - eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together in one of two dining halls. We jog the same paths. We grab books and do research at one of our two libraries. We give students from other schools tours of our facilities so they can share them. We explore the same world-renowned forests and gardens. In the winter, we sled on the same hills. We canoe on the same lake. As a student, I often joined my deans and teachers for food at their homes (also on campus). I was too young and naive to realize it then, but even in those instances they found ways to subtly teach and instruct me. Not on Spanish. Not on math. But rather, on life. At Cranbrook you’re constantly learning, and wind up developing very close relationships with the teachers, deans and staff.</p>

<p>This is what most parents hope their children experience in college. I had the privilege of experiencing this at Cranbrook.</p>

<p>There is simply no other school in Michigan that offers a “village” of Cranbrook’s caliber. I do not say this lightly. Cranbrook has the only campus and infrastructure needed to accomplish this. And it does so darn well. Just ask the myriad talented, successful and extremely diverse alumni that have graduated from this hallowed institution. As Jenny Craig states: “There is only one Cranbrook.”</p>

22

<p>Dear Group,</p>

<p>I am in a dilema—If it cost the same to send your child to Greenhills (with no scholarship or aid) and Cranbrook (getting a Crane scholarship and the staff excited and very welcoming of your child), and if your dream school–and your child’s dream was to attend an ivy league school such as Harvard, does well in sports, and is generally a well-rounded student and well-liked by peers–where would you send your child? Also, what is the current breakdown of SAT, ACT and other standardized test score comparisons. It should go without being said, but I am not interested in hearing any unsubstantiated bashing of either school unless it pertains to straight facts. Thanks in advance for any information you may provide!</p>

23

<p>I’m not sure I understand your reference to Harvard/Ivy league - is it your dream school, or your child’s dream to attend an Ivy?</p>

<p>Regardless, I don’t think it is wise to base the decision on where to attend high school on whether a particular prep school might somehow, possibly, many years in the future, give your child a slightly better chance to attend an Ivy than another school.</p>

<p>It’s been said on this forum many times - “love the school that loves your child.” If Cranbrook is offering a prestigious Crane scholarship (merit based, so obviously they recognize something special in your child), and the staff is very excited and welcoming of your child, that is certainly something to consider.</p>

24

<p>Also, as the alum poster above noted, the Cranbrook education is-in-and-of-itself quite unique, offering a top-tier Ivy/LAC “feel.” Consider how your child responds to each school, and let them enjoy high school as high school, not simply as a route to one particular collegiate destination. Just MHO</p>