<p>I know that this is a rather shallow thing to ask, but would you consider EHS (Alexandria) to be an elite school? Please know that I love EHS for what it is- academics, fit, etc. I have already committed to the school and I am thrilled. However, my question still remains. I have grown up in a family filled with Andover graduates, and I want my experience to have as powerful of an impact on my life as they have gotten. So, is it a well-known school that has a high level of prestige attached to it?</p>
<p>Please note that the concept of prestige differs to each person. To some of the people I know, nothing under Andover and Exeter are elite. But to the general population? It’s up there.</p>
<p>And also know that it’s more important how you perceive it. It won’t matter if everyone else thinks it’s a terrible school as long as you know that it’s the right school for you and consider it the highest above anywhere else because it’s a fit specifically for you.</p>
<p>If it matters that much to you, then yes, EHS oozes w prestige. It’s the most prestigious of the BSs in the South, and it boasts notable alumni like John McCain, T Berry Brazelton, & a son of Teddy Roosevelt. </p>
<p>It’s lampooned along w Andover et al, in “The Official Preppy Handbook”. So it’s “officially” on the prestige radar. ;)</p>
<p>Think of how awesome it is to have access to Wash D.C., instead of being in the middle of nowhere like most other BS or freezing your butt off in New England. Congratulations! </p>
<p>Doubt you and your mates will be sitting around in October pondering such a question. Before you know it, you’ll be attending the graduation of your senior leaders, who are all dressed up, and you’re feeling like this is it, you’re all in, already thinking about the following school year. And three graduations after that, it will be you up there, stepping out. It’s highly likely you will be very happy on that stage, ready to move on to the next bigger one.
And that there will be no regrets. </p>
<p>I know that, as a Southern student myself, EHS is considered THE top boarding school in the South. I’d say that, it’s all relative to the location. EHS is much more recognizable in any Southern state than Andover- many people in my town would know EHS and not Andover. However, people in Connecticut probably wouldn’t know EHS. In terms of overall prestige, I’d say it doesn’t have the same name-reognition as a HADES or GLADCHEMMS but that it is similar to many of the heavily-discussed schools like Milton, Mercersburg, Loomis, Hill, etc. Either way, it is a highly selective school with an amazing education and access to a wonderful educational tool in Washington, DC. And you shouldn’t look at your school like that- it fits right for you, so you’ll excel there.</p>
<p>Go PHLEGMS!</p>
<p>+1000 some very sage advice from @Charger78 and @GMTplus7 </p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptance. EHS will provide even the most ambitious student an amazing opportunity. If you embrace the opportunity, it will impact you and allow you to define your experience and success,not by prestige, but by your hard work and perseverance. Then again this natural law applies to any of the fine schools mentioned on CC.</p>
<p>My DS is a freshman and my “diary” of his experience thus far is here:
<a href=“Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA - Prep School Admissions - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1552482-episcopal-high-school-alexandria-va-p1.html</a></p>
<p>Also, is EHS a school that college admission officers will know/a school that will give a person an edge in the admissions process? I know that there is a high percent of kids who get into their first choice school, but do these people recognize the rigor of the school? It obviously won’t give you the edge that Andover or Exeter would, but does it give you a relatively comparable edge to like Taft or Loomis or something?</p>
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<p>I really don’t think that the school itself is THAT much of a factor in college admissions. Sure, a kid from Andover would get looked upon more favorably, but in the end, it’s the person, not the school, that decides where you end up.</p>
<p>Why are you asking these questions in the first place? If you’re already committed, then just relax and enjoy these last few months.</p>
<p>Because I’m curious? Really though, it’s because I made my decision based on where I could see myself. These questions were not part of my decision, and now that I am excited to go to the school, I would like to know about these specifics.</p>
<p>The point is to help people out. And now that I look back on my post, it came off a bit harsh, sorry.</p>
<p>But seriously, at this point in time, it’s not doing you any favors worrying about this stuff. In the end, as long as you enjoy it there, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>lol sorry my comment was way more rude than yours was, I just got frustrated and typed without thinking. Sorry, especially since you are very helpful and are right!</p>
<p>No problem. But just know, Episcopal’s a really, really good school. No one’s making fun of you for going there, unless they’re from Woodberry Forest. :)</p>
<p>No school is going to get you into your first choice college. It’s YOU who will be getting yourself in.</p>
<p>U really need to get over your hangup about not going to Andover, and look beyond that geographically limited fish pond called “New England”. Where I am working in the int’l arena, surrounded by insanely educated & cosmopolitan people, they have heard of Eton & Harrow but no one’s ever heard of Andover, so big whoop there… Even in other parts of the U.S., people have not heard of Andover, nor do they care. MOVE ON.</p>
<p>Enjoy EHS and make the most of what its location has to offer. Internship opportunities in Wash D C.-- now that’s seriously killer to anybody in the entire world.</p>
<p>EHS had no faculty turnover this past year, that speaks volumes. The locale makes it very desirable which draws excellent faculty. There are but a handful of boarding schools that aren’t out in the middle of no where, Episcopal is one of them.</p>
<p>I always find it amusing when people think that attending an Andover/Exeter will gain them admission to their dream school. I can assure you that the campus is not filled with elite BS graduates or all URM. The student body is diverse and talented. Your application may stand out precisely because you attended EHS and you are not just another Andover/Exeter graduate.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, I don’t think that attending PEA or Andover alone would get me into my “dream school,” nor did I mean for my question to imply that I believe such statement to be true. I just wanted to know if college admissions people know about EHS and know that it is a great academic school. Anyways, I appreciate all of the helpful comments!</p>
<p>Yes, college admissions people know all of the BS commonly discussed on these threads, and they no doubt have a high opinion of EHS. </p>
<p>For your own peace of mind, I think that you should simply look at the (four-year) college matriculation list the school provides and decide if at least 30% of the graduates are going to good places you have heard about. (Assume you are conversant with about fifty great unis and fifty top LACs.) At that point, like others have said, it’s up to you to work hard to make yourself a well-rounded person whose grades put you into contention for that top-third or so. Do the right things on a daily basis, grow your natural talents, and let the chips fall where they may. You’ll be fine (so long as you don’t mistakenly think there’s only one or two or three colleges that will be a good fit for you; there are many, perhaps undreamt of at present). The more up close I see BS life these days, the more I see its unique advantages, especially in comparison to private day schools. EHS will serve you well if you throw yourself into it, as we all know you will. </p>
<p>I can assure you that the AO at colleges do know the BS all over the country. In fact, I know that they assign an AO to read applications from NE BS and etc. These AOs get to know the applicants and on my own child’s Admit weekend the AO pointed out the parts of the essay that he especially liked. My kid did not attend one of the well known BS and did just fine. More importantly, this kid was well prepared for the academic rigor of college.</p>