Culture/environment at various schools

<p>I'd like to hear from current andpast students as well as ones that have interviewed somewhere and were able to get a real flavor for what the place was like.</p>

<p>I've heard that some schools are conservative, others liberal. Some are elitist and others more down to Earth.</p>

<p>How would you characterize your school or a school you visited? Im not just interested in the big names -I'd like to hear about a wide variety of schools.</p>

<p>I'm hoping to get a better sense of what schools would be a better "fit."</p>

<p>I'm applying to Exeter, and lucky for me one of my best friends goes there right now (she's a year ahead of me, in 9th grade) so after my interview I got to stay the rest of the weekend with her there. It was awesome! I can say that from the couple of days I got to go there, Exeter seemed very friendly, especially like inter-grade. Her dorm was close despite the age differences; the seniors were great friends with all of the freshman, etc. I thought that was nice. Everyone seemed to hang out with everyone, it was definitely not elitist and I didn't sense any like "popular" "geek" vibes going on there- I think the kids were accepting of everyone, but that's just from what I could tell in the three days and 5 classes that I got to see. It also seemed very liberal, I wouldn't say conservative, and really like the NYC of boarding schools. All different types of people, style, ethnicities.. I loved it. No one was judgemental, many (if not all) of the people I met were friendly and kind to me.</p>

<p>I'm applying to Choate first-choice, and I got a good feeling of the campus.
Very nice, laid-back atmosphere. It was a Saturday, so not much life, but the facilities were top-notch. The admissions officers, current student's parents, and the tour guides were so friendly and kind, it was great. Seriously, the nicest atmosphere I've seen out of the three I toured and interviewed at.</p>

<p>Hi Saer:</p>

<p>I'd like to hear from you and others - which schools didn't you like and why? Which ones stood out and why?</p>

<p>SPS seemed...imposing...to me
really
but then I went to Exeter, and it was wonderful!
I really god a good feeling from it.</p>

<p>Good question. This is something that I have been wondering as I was not able to fly to New England for the interview. Thanks :)</p>