First impressions Andover, Groton and Hotchkiss 2014

Prep School Admissions
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<p>Hi you may recognize a version of this post from my old account but i think it revealed to much information about me so I I took it down, and rewrote this on my new account.</p>

<p>So far I have toured and visited Groton, Hotchkiss and Andover. My interviews went very well, and I really hit it off with all my interviewers. Especially the lady at Groton who said "I was an intellectual". However, I was surprised by how much I loved Groton and hated Andover, I am pretty in between about Hotchkiss. First, I will talk about my time at Groton. I hope this thread will be helpful for people to get a sense of what the tours and interviews feel like.</p>

<p>Groton, we get to the school about 45 minutes early for my tour and interview, and we are shocked by how empty the campus was. It must be said that it was a rainy day and probably 8:45. However, we agreed that it was beautiful and very well kept. When it was finally time for my appointment my Dad and I go into the waiting room, which was nice and cozy, and their shaking hands with the applicants, is the head-master. I gather this is a normal occurrence, and I think that was a really wonderful way to greet the applicants. Soon, we met our tour guide a bubbly 4th former. She was really nice and showed us the great facilities. The thing that impressed me most about the school, was how all the kids in the hall ways looked happy and excited to be at Groton. Also just by chance I got to me the music director who I had been corresponding with she was so friendly, nice and helpful. So all in all I had a great first interview and tour at Groton.
Then, my Dad and I drove to Andover expecting a bigger version of Groton. But, when we get to andover what we found was a large, impersonal college, where stressed looking kids took college like courses. (If you go to Andover this was just a first impression no offense intended I bet you are getting a great education) (Also my Dad is a college professor so it is not like we hate college or anything.). After taking our tours, for some reason at Andover they separate the candidate from the parent during the tours, my Dad and I came to the conclusion that this was not really a place for children (teens). It did not feel at all kind or caring, and the kids did not look at all happy. Also the dorm rooms were really not very nice at all. Though my interview went very well however, I am tempted not to apply because I disliked the school as a whole so much.</p>

<p>A few days later I visited Hotchkiss. I really liked the campus and the people I met, but it felt quite "Jocky" it seemed that the emphasis was on sports more than academics, or the arts. I play sports but I would consider myself to be more studious or artsy than athletic. However I think I could grow to love the school and if I were to get in I would take the offer very seriously. I also think my interview went well. However, my interviewer was not very gushy so it was hard to tell if she liked me, but my Mom said that she liked me. </p>

<p>I am using this post sort of as a a diary to help me remember what i thought of the school when March 10th rolls around I will be remind myself. Also with my opinions of Groton, Andover and Hotchkiss in mind, which of the other schools I am visiting in the next 2 months (Deerfield, Middlesex, and Choate) Do you think I will like in the same way I like Groton. Also feel free to post you first impressions of the schools you have visited.</p>

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<p>The takeaway here is that it is important for the applicant to find a school that fits him/her. Although with some of these school’s incredibly low admissions rate, you won’t necessarily be able to choose your top option. What one person finds appealing about Groton may be a turnoff for another.</p>

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<p>@skieurope is a fan of walls. ;)</p>

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<p>:)) Well, you’re correct @stargirl3.</p>

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<p>bschoolsearcher: My daughter thinks manicures are a varsity sport. Yet she felt very much at home at Hotchkiss. She was part of a large group of artsy students, most of whom remain some of her closest friends. And the training she received in theatre at Hotchkiss got her into four of the five top theatre programs in the country during college applications. A good friend of hers who was also in the theatre program at Hotchkiss was accepted as an actor at the fifth program. Having said that, faculty changes, and two of my daughter’s most influential teachers have left, so I can’t vouch for the current strength of the program. </p>

<p>I do know that music is quite strong. The head of the jazz program Michael Musillami’s most recent record release received an extremely positive review on NPR. One of my daughter’s friends is working on her second record deal. And there is a summer arts program in Italy which focuses on visual arts, music and creative writing (the Amalfi Coast Music Festival). </p>

<p>Hotchkiss sends a couple of students to the New England Creative Writers’ Conference at Middlebury College every spring where they spend several days in writing workshops. </p>

<p>If dance is your art form, there are probably schools where you could pursue dance more intensely. My daughter’s friend who was a top dancer before she came to Hotchkiss eventually decided to continue her training at a studio in Torrington.</p>

<p>Perhaps you got a “jocky” feel because of your tour guide. They really can influence the way one sees a school. Good luck with your search.</p>

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<p>My daughter is a new 9th grader at Andover. She has definitely experienced some days where she feels overwhelmed. However, even though Groton seemed more comfortable (and I loved it), she personally thought she would outgrow it by the time she was 18. This is something to keep in mind in terms of your own decision when the time comes. Pay attention to the kind of person you hope to be and whether or not the school can grow with you. That is what boarding school is all about.</p>

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<p>Thank you everyone for the helpful comments. calrenoma thats great I am very interested in theatre and music. Gratefulmom89 I will definetly keep out growing the campus in mind. skieurope I loved the partial walls. I am trying to keep an open mind. I think I could be happy at either Hotchkiss or Groton. </p>

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<p>FYI, my son likes the partial walls. He even chose that side of the room, his roommate has a full wall as his room is the first one. He likes being able to just call out for a friend if he has a question. I think it promotes closeness. Definitely not much privacy, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Also, the doors to each individual rooms don’t lock, although the main suite door does.</p>

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<p>Would really love to know how a student could “outgrow” a BS like Groton? Or any other BS for that matter.</p>

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<p>^^^</p>

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<p>Sorry ChoatieMom maybe that was too broad a term. I only meant that she though it might later feel a little too small for her to be living with the same <100 or so kids per class for all 4 years. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that Groton would not provide adequate opportunities for growth academically and extracurricularly, as it is obviously an amazing place. </p>

<p>I do note that if your child is a really high level athlete (which mine is not) a bigger school might also be able to provide a little more breadth and depth in certain areas because they have so many students to choose from. I know that Andover fields 3+ teams in a single sport in some instances in addition to intramural.</p>