<p>So Toombs, I couldn’t help looking up what a bearcat actually is…that is one weird looking creature. Is that what you Hotchkiss guys look like after a long night of partying?
[bearcat</a> - Google Search](<a href=“http://www.google.com/images?q=bearcat&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=asibTLHoAcGBlAeog-jMCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CEQQsAQwBA&biw=1440&bih=747]bearcat”>http://www.google.com/images?q=bearcat&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=asibTLHoAcGBlAeog-jMCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CEQQsAQwBA&biw=1440&bih=747)</p>
<p>Looking like a Bearcat is what drives the wayward Hotchkiss lad to drink in the first place.</p>
<p>LOL. Good one!</p>
<p>Seven-check out Deerfield’s "why I love Deerfield. It is done by the students and I love it. During the summer, after I sent my first installment, I would watch it to make me feel better about allowing my d to go to bs. </p>
<p>You are right, many things seem to become a blur. I used a spread sheet, but more so a little notebook and made a mark when me and d would talk about schools. When she made a positive or negative view on a school I made a mark. I then would look into those ideas later. Yes it is way too much work for most, but I am a single mom who has one kid and I guess way to much time on my hands-lol.</p>
<p>I had my own feelings but I learned to really listen to my d throughout the process. I learned so much about her I was shocked. My first choice for her after visits was want she wanted too, but she didnt come to that conclusion for a few months later and I didnt let my feeling be known until she voiced her feelings.</p>
<p>Just my 2 cents</p>
<p>@Alexz825Mom: I’ll check it out (but can’t promise that I’ll add yet another school to the mix at this point…my head’s already spinning!).</p>
<p>Funny you mentioned the spreadsheet…just this morning I made a word doc (as a creative-type, I don’t do Excel ;-P) with the following: A) Places we requested info from; B) Places we are touring/interviewing; C) Places she will apply. I also wrote down a few “What’s important” points to help focus my addled brain. I think I’ll post some version of that here on April 10th…perhaps some parent/child will find it helpful to see how one family approached it all from start to finish.</p>
<p>Regarding my daughter’s POV on all of this…I try (it takes effort) not to be ALL-BOARDING-SCHOOL-ALL-THE-TIME with her, especially since her regular day school has started. But the other night we had some free time and went over the essays for the schools on the current short list, just to get her brain thinking about them. And I asked her for her opinion again — but besides the schools she had a bad reaction to, she’s undecided (but not apathetic…she is perhaps even more interested in BS after going back to her day school a few weeks ago). I hope she’ll feel more tuned into one or the other in a few weeks, when we return to a couple of schools we visited over the summer to see what they are like when school’s in session.</p>
<p>FYI, despite some of the recent ■■■■■-like behavior/personal attacks, the CC Prep Admissions forum has been a great resource.</p>
<p>Seven–you are right–i love this sight-cant you tell I dont work fridays and I am really enjoying posting and reading today-lol</p>
<p>Trust me–I know how it can get to many to quickly. At times, before applications were due, I wished we had considered more and different schools. But you can only do so much plus i reflect back on the fact that we had a great outcome. </p>
<p>My d didnt write any essays until Christmas break. My only requirement, early on, was she must apply to one all girl’s school. (Side note-Our first bs visit was to MPS and to her wildest surprise-she loved it-go figure). When all was said and most paper work was completed, she applied to 7. I thought 10 was better but she had had enough and I allowed her to make that call.</p>
<p>Good luck with your “spread-sheet” (If our kids only knew the depths of our love and commitment to them before they hit 40—wow)</p>
<p>Update: The Westtown and Mercersburg materials arrived (can you tell I had a “Mid-Atlantic” moment not so long ago?).</p>
<p>Westtown is similar to Thacher in its non-glossiness. As one might expect from a Quaker school, it feels a bit more down to earth and even folksy in presentation. IMO, that’s a good thing. Though I don’t know how I feel about my kids calling teachers by their first names.</p>
<p>Mercersburg came in a unique sized self-mailer which opened up to show what looks like a gorgeous campus, but the rest of the contents were disappointing IMO. Like Madeira, they wrapped all the contest in a theme of “Define the [INSERT WORD HERE, EX: SCHOLAR] in you.” And instead of one more substantial brochure, broke it down into about 6 smaller ones. I would sat that Mercersburg’s materials do the school a disservice when compared to other Mid-Atlantics…</p>
<p>Here’s a funny video from The Taft School - [Headmaster’s</a> Holiday 2009 - The Taft School](<a href=“http://www.taftschool.org/news/folders/headholiday09/highres.html]Headmaster’s”>http://www.taftschool.org/news/folders/headholiday09/highres.html)</p>
<p>^lmao, nice one.</p>
<p>Bump for 2011-12 app cycle folks…some commentary on best marketing materials/viewbooks. It is strange to look back to last summer and read what I was thinking/sharing…</p>
<p>I really liked Lawrenceville’s. It said a lot about the school, but without it being a novel. It was nicely organized, with pictures from all seasons, not just Fall/Spring. Deerfield’s was good too, except for the fact that it was a bit… wordy. I found myself skimming quite a few of the pages.</p>
<p>@ballerina22 I agree with you about the deerfield one and I skipped through some of itt too. I really liked how Thacher sent me their magazine since they still couldnt send the viewbook itself but from what ive heard I’m really excited to see it :)</p>
<p>I just dug up this thread, but anyways, my favorite viewbook that I got was hotchkiss. I was surprised that it didn’t come in a flat rate envelope, but everything in it was pretty amazing…and I completely agree about deerfields viewbook.</p>