<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I just wanted to know if Deerfield is considered to be at the same level as Exeter and Andover. Post what you think an in what subject (i.e Dorms, etc...) Thanks!</p>
<p>Don’t judge schools by ‘level’ or ‘standard’. Judge schools by fit. I don’t think there’s a ‘number one’ universally recognized, because each person has their own number one, whether that be Deerfield or Andover. I don’t think that college matriculations or SAT scores define a school’s credibility. The credibility is defined by the students therefore, at the end of the day, schools shouldn’t be pitted against each other to be compared and scrutinized - And as it is said, time and time again on CC, ‘love the school that loved you.’ - (I hope I wrote that right! :))</p>
<p>Agreed, a school is much more than a bunch on numbers. But since you ask, you can compare the numbers here:</p>
<p>[Compare</a> Boarding Schools - Boarding School Review](<a href=“Compare Boarding Schools”>Compare Boarding Schools)</p>
<p>Of the 5 HADES schools, Deerfield and Andover have the lowest acceptance rate. Last year both schools accepted only 14% of applicants vs. Exeter 19%. This year, both Deerfield and Andover had even lower acceptance rates. I don’t know about Exeter’s numbers this year.</p>
<p>what was the acceptance rate for Deerfield and Andover?</p>
<p>Deerfield’s acceptance rate this year was 13.5%</p>
<p>Yes, Deerfield is definitely up there with Andover and Exeter. Like others have said, you should care more about the fit, academics, opportunities, etc., but if you must know about the general perspective on prestige, Deerfield is well respected.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting! I just have no idea as to what schools to apply to this coming year, other than Exeter. It is quite difficult and I don’t have explicit ideas for what I want in the school other Academics, Sports, Clubs, Diversity, because all of these school have that! Help!</p>
<p>@Exeterrr: Before comparing acceptance rates you should consider the “degree of difficulty” in completing specific schools’ applications. Some are quite simple, and others seem designed to discourage the marginal applicant. I’m sure this year’s applicants have commented on other threads about the effort required to complete specific apps.</p>
<p>Separately, you should take stock of your interests and academic strengths and look at which schools’ programs are complementary. I just read a post from a guy who’s been accepted at a school that doesn’t offer his major sport. You don’t want that to happen! Also, try to think of how a school’s AOs will view YOU! Will they think you’re a good fit for their school based on how they position it?</p>
<p>@Exeterrr: You should also read the threads where people are describing their revisits. There are some significant differences in the culture of the different schools, their dress codes, how bucolic or urban they are, sporty, arty, edgy, nurturing, etc. Make a spreadsheet for every factor you think relevant and fill it in as you learn more about individual schools. Then visit the schools as much as you can and chat with current students here on CC.</p>
<p>Thanks! I should the spreadsheet idea.</p>
<p>I think a major problem is that I do not know where to begin regarding information on schools except basic information. Would it be ok if some of you would refer me to some school websites based on this? I appriciate it.</p>
<p>From most important to least important:
-schools with a balenced education system-Exellent math and science
as well as humanities
-Diversity
-A school that will allow me to go beyond the curriculum and also to do community sevice
-Co-ed
-Harkness method for at least most classes
- a school with an “medium” dress code-(Not too formal or informal)
- schools with a rural campus, but not in “the middle of no-where”
- fairly large schools with about 1000 students
-A strong sports program, especially for basketball
-A strong music program
-“not too” strict schools
-(A school that gives FA)
-A school where the kids are not TOO stressed.</p>
<p>Exeter is the best. Period.</p>
<p>Loomis Chaffee fits that description…</p>
<p>What about Blair? How is that school in regard to the above “wants”? I’m also looking for a school somewhat like that.</p>
<p>Peddie fits most of the criteria. The tables are not always Harkness, but they are in an arrangement that facilitates discussion. Hands down EXCELLENT science, math is okay, and Humanities (I think) is great as well. 5 million dollars for aid, so they help a lot of the students (40%). Community service opportunities are bountiful! Diversity is there on so many levels (financially, racially, etc.). Everyone is a little different. It is not 1000 students, but around 550. </p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-M920 using CC App</p>
<p>I think Blair meets your criteria except for Harkness style teaching. Most boarding schools have Humanities/ Social Sciences classes around a table or desks in a rectangle. However, that is to promote discussion and not Harkness-style teaching which is only practiced by a few schools.
Also, there are few boarding schools with around 1000 students. Blair has around 450 with 80% boarding and almost all faculty living on campus. This is a nice size – large enough to have circles of friends with opportunities to make new friends.
As you probably know, the Blair basketball program is excellent. If you are are a boy, [Blair</a> Academy - Athletics](<a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Athletics/Basketball_B/ath_t_boys_basketball.shtm]Blair”>http://www.blair.edu/Athletics/Basketball_B/ath_t_boys_basketball.shtm). The girl’s team did very well in 2010 [Blair</a> Academy - Athletics](<a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Athletics/Basketball_G/ath_t_girls_basketball.shtm]Blair”>http://www.blair.edu/Athletics/Basketball_G/ath_t_girls_basketball.shtm)
I have a son who attended there for 4 happy years and thrived there. He is happy at a top 10 university now, although he went to Blair because he loved the school, not because he had college matriculation as a priority. Feel free to ask me more questions or send me a pm.</p>
<p>Thank you so much, Burb Parent. I did not visit Blair, but I feel, through the “intensive” research that I did, that it is a perfect fit. It has all I want in a Boarding school, like Exeterrr, but I like casual dress codes, which it also has. The last thing that is important to me is that it has a higher admissons rate than other school. (not sure by how much) Out of curiosity, although, do you think that a class of 10-11 students in Blair is better than Harkness of 12? I also love Harkness discussions, so are the discussions in Blair like Harkness or do they more resemble traditional public school discussions? Lastly, do I even look like a candidate for Blair? (This is not a chance, but how well do you think I would fit in) … </p>
<p>Male
African-American
Applying to 9th Grade from Public H.S
Standardized School Testing-95th Percentile
All Courses Honors-One to two Years
All A+ Grades</p>
<p>EC’s
Basketball-6 Years-Eight Hours a Week- JV SG (2 Years-No Team) (Will speak to coaches)
Chinese-2 Years-3 Hours a Week-Free Time
Cycling- 5 Years- 5 Hours a Week
Guitar-5 Years-3 Hours a Week-Private Tutor (1 Year Alone)
Swimming-4 Years-3 Hours a Week
Volunteer Tutoring-5 Years – 5 Hours a Week
Debate Team-2 Years-First Place Award for Traveling Team in the State</p>
<p>My teachers love me
I sometimes write in the spare time that I have
I am great with adults</p>
<p>Practice SSAT (About)
85 Verbal SSAT Percentile
85 Mathematical Reasoning
85 Reading Comprehension</p>
<p>90th Percentile Overall</p>
<p>Thanks!! :)</p>
<p>You sound like a good candidate for Blair. They offer your interests, except I don’t know if they have an active debate team now. You should ask about that. In 11th and 12th grades, many of my son’s classes had debates over issues. There was a cycling club that did weekend outings. If you decide to try crew, some of the crew team cycled to the boathouse. Often people who enjoy swimming and cycling do well in crew. Class size at Blair varies, so 10-11 is an average. Some classes can be very small. The small class size allows time for discussion and debate, which I think is one of the key differences from public school. You sound like a very strong student in academics, so you will probably be asked to do peer tutoring if you enjoy it. My son was also strong; he was always encouraged to stretch himself with challenging courses.
I think their admit rate is around 35%. You are wise to consider a range of schools. If a school offers AP, honors, and higher level classes, then you can get challenge if you want. It also gives you the chance to stand out and be among the top students.
Good luck to you, and feel free to ask me any more questions. I’ll try to help.</p>
<p>Wow, great information. I actuallly am quite interested in joining crew. I have only done it a few times but I know the basics and it is fun for me. This is not because of the 35% admit rate, but I think Blair could become my top choice. I do not pick schools for their “famous” names, but rather for fit, and it feels like I would have no regrets at Blair whatsoever. I would do peer tutoring, and definietly learn a new language and take AP courses. Blair even has Ethics and Philosophy, and not a lot of other Boarding schools have that! (I want to be a Philosopher) If you don’t mind me asking, why did your son choose Blair over other schools, or was it his only choice? Also, how did you find the student body and faculty to be (i.e, kind, patient) Etc… Thank you again, and you are a great ambassador for Blair! :)</p>
<p>My son divided his applications into 3 groupings. Among his first choices, Blair was the only one to which he was accepted. The others in this group were highly competitive. </p>
<p>The students and faculty were very nice. Five times a year, the faculty sits down to discuss every student in the school. As a parent, I was always surprised by how many faculty and even administrators knew my son and even knew me or made the effort to get to know me. The students get to pick their advisor, and the advisor will accept the student providing that they can handle another advisee. Some students even have the Headmaster as an advisor! My son kept the same advisor all 4 years. I am very grateful to him because he always had my son’s back and encouraged him to do his best. In addition to an advisor, each student is assigned an academic monitor, who watches over the academic life. Monitors change every year. There is also the Dorm master and other faculty living in the dorms plus the student prefects. <a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/pdfs/seven_principles.pdf[/url]”>http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/pdfs/seven_principles.pdf</a></p>