<p>Because...my friend's been acting really snooty lately because she goes there..I go to Phillips Exeter Academy and according to her, Interlochen Arts Academy is more prestigious, elite, exclusive, harder to get into, yadda yadda...is this true??</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear your friend is treating you that way, makes you wonder how good a friend he/she really is...Yes Interlochen is a tough school to get into but so might yours. It doesn't really matter. What really matters is are you thriving at the school you are at? Are you happy there, making friends, challenged by your classes...etc.</p>
<p>Kids go to Interlochen because they want to study their art indepth. Interlochen is a specialized arts high school. My daughter considered it because she wasn't being challenged in what she loved (singing)..Interlochen specializes in Ballet, Theatre, Instruments, Voice (singing), art, and I believe some sort of writing....When my daughter got her acceptance letter it stated that she had been chosen from over 1000 applicants. That doesn't mean it's better or worse than the school you go to but that it may have a different focus than your school.</p>
<p>hope that helped :)</p>
<p>You can go on Compare</a> Boarding Schools - Boarding School Review and compare Exeter and Interlochen. For example, it says that Interlochen has an acceptance rate of 65% and Exeter has an acceptance rate of 21%. But that really doesn't show much. Interlochen is an Arts school, and Phillips Exeter is mainly a prep school. I don't know much about Interlochen, but I know that Exeter is one of the best boarding schools in the world. It's like part of the Ivy League of the boarding school world. But since you go to Exeter, you probably already know that.</p>
<p>It's also different for each major. For example:</p>
<p>about 300-500 students apply for theatre, but they accept around 30 per year.
and then the same number apply for music, but they accept around 100-200 per year. So the selectivity is on a major by major basis.
Grades play a role in Interlochen admissions, but the main factor is a student's artistic talent and potential. So they are completely different entities.
Interlochen is an amazing place, the opposite of an academic prep boarding school, and your friend should be learning anything but "snootiness" there!</p>
<p>I can’t say enough about the outstanding theatre arts program instuction our son received at Interlochen. He was able to develop as a total person, socially, academically and emotionally. I would recommend sending a student to this boarding school who had a passion for their art form, an inner academic motivation and ability (B+'s & A’s in current academic setting), socially stable, a student who enjoys giving back to its ‘community’ and a willingness to be teachable. It is important to consider attending both junior and senior year…</p>
<p>Our son has made life-long friends at IAA and has had the opportunity to audition (because of the school’s connection with Royal Scottish Academy) and attend a 3 year BA Acting program. He will graduate in July…“the world is his oyster”! I will forever be grateful for the experience/training he has had a Interlochen Arts Academy and the personal and professional connections he has made as a result…</p>
<p>My D actually attended Interlochen Arts Academy her freshman year, as a music student. The musical education was outstanding, and she improved dramatically over the year. She discovered, however, that Interlochen’s academics, for music students anyway, took a bit of a back seat to their musical education. Most of the students are extremely passionate about their art, and the school is very focused on developing the students as professionals in their artistic fields. Many students go on to attend conservatories.</p>
<p>During her first year my D realized that, while she loved music and always will, academics were more important to her. She applied for several prep boarding schools and was accepted to Phillips Academy Andover (though she chose to attend Choate Rosemary Hall). The academics were definitely harder. Most students go on to attend really excellent colleges and universities.</p>
<p>Both schools are wonderful - it really depends on your focus.</p>
<p>We were very pleased with the academics at Interlochen…our S attended his junior and senior year and his academic experience was exceptional. We had no complains with the quality of instruction and qualifications of professors. The curriculum was rigorous and demanding. He experienced college level curriculum expectations…</p>
<p>I had a lot of experience as an Interlochen parent (of multiple students) there. It’s an amazing experience.
Interlochen offers an outstanding immersive Arts education - you apply to get in as a “major” in music (need to be admitted to a studio), theatre, musical theatre, creative writing,dance, fine arts, motion picture arts – plus they do look at your transcript from the HS you are transferring from.
Interlochen does NOT have athletics or teams. It shouldn’t be compared to Exeter (which I also know a bit). They are BOTH excellent boarding schools. They are a bit different.
There ARE some teachers who teach at the college level (but not AP officially-designated courses). Most students are extremely well prepared for university or conservatory. Some students transfer in - that is quite normal. Be prepared for a life-changing experience, friends deom all over and professional colleagues for a lifetime.</p>
<p>I’m happy to hear it’s such a good school. I am going to apply this year.</p>
<p>Interlochen is absolutely wonderful. My child graduated with honors this year, concentrating in music performance & math. He received scholarships to numerous top schools as a double major, with high SAT & ACT scores (including SAT subject tests). Interlochen integrates the arts throughout the curriculum, and the teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach. The expectations are very high, from the classroom to the stages to the dorms. Even my child’s dorm staff had graduate degrees and above. A very high level of performance is expected in everything the students do, and most flourish. The support from the staff is phenomenal and has continued even after graduation. The Interlochen experience is life-changing, and opens doors you may not even realize are there. We’ll forever be supporters of Interlochen Arts Academy!</p>