<p>The title kind of says it all...I know it's a sterotype that Deerfield has and was wondering if there was any truth to it. Some of the student reviews on bsr.com give the impression that Deerfield is somewhat elitist. Are they bitter or right?</p>
<p>they are right to an extent, but it's still a great school and you should visit before you make a decision.</p>
<p>I heard Deerfield is very preppy, but it's still an amazing school. I agree with PTYman, go visit before you make your decision.</p>
<p>They are extremely preppy!!! It was their turn to host Deerfield (or Choate) Day this year, so we went there and I was expecting there to be a negligible difference between the student bodies, but all the guys there wore coat and tie, and the girls were so preppy I couldn't get over it. Some students were snobby but some were genuinely nice, though.</p>
<p>From my impression of visting and what I have heard from friends with friends there, it is especiallly preppy. However, it is still an excellent school, and I would certainly not reccomend ruling it out on those grounds alone.</p>
<p>What exactly does "preppy" mean these days? In my day, it meant kelly green pants and hot pink fair isle sweaters. Maybe "old money", but certainly nouveau riche could also be "preppy".</p>
<p>Deerfield has a formal dress code, which will make everyone look preppy, I guess. On game day, I believe school dress is irequired which would explain Olivia's impressions. Perhaps a Deerfield student can enlighten us?</p>
<p>I loved DA...DA '06</p>
<p>aren't most prep schools like this anyway? especially if there is a dress code</p>
<p>Yeah, but they differ.</p>
<p>And, I mean, yeah, Deerfield is a good school, but it's just a matter of preference. And of course there are kids there who aren't preppy, just like any boarding school, but I didn't like that kind of atmosphere. </p>
<p>Ah, I'll stop trying to form people's opinions. ;) </p>
<p>Happy Thanksgiving</p>
<p>I understand there's a dress code, so I guess I'm wondering about more about the so-called 'elitist' atmosphere. Is it an all/mostly white school? Do the kids come from the same background? You're right, I'll have to visit and see for myself, but as I live far away, I want to know if its even worth the visit...</p>
<p>It is no different than any other of the "top" schools as far as an "elitist" attitude. They offer almost 6 million dollars in financial aid so no, kids do not come from the same background.<br>
We have visited a bunch of schools with dress codes and without and just because they wear a tie, does not mean they are elite. And just because you don't wear a tie, doesn't mean you don't have the "elite attitude" as I've seen that too.</p>
<p>Haha, true. That's what I figured, but based on student reviews at bsr.com I got the impression from some of the Deerfield alums that it was an extreme situation, at least more so than reviews I read about other schools. Many of the schools I'm looking at have the coat and tie dress code, all with excellent athletics and academics, the atmosphere is one of the factors that makes the school unique. It's impossible for anyone to judge how their atmosphere will affect me, though, until I actually go. So, thank you all, for clearing that up a bit.</p>
<p>Have a son at Deerfield, and have just completed visiting Andover, Exeter, St Pauls and Thacher (and DF) for younger child - so have a pretty current perspective on the schools. We found the Deerfield and Exeter kids to be the most friendly, engaging and (at least on the surface) most happy. With regards to the preppy question - I am not sure that addresses clothes, attitude or something else. At Deerfield dress code is not particularly punitive - boys often wear shorts and flipflops with their jackets and ties. And the day we visited recently my son was wearing all of his bedding - comforter, pillow, sheets - around campus as a part of spirit day. With regards to diversity - which I think is at the core of a Preppie question - students are from 25 countries and 33 states. 37% of the students are on financial aid and 27% are students of color. Not exactly JCrew, but reputations change slowly.</p>