<p>I would like to know whether it is possible for me to get into prep school, but also if it is worth it or not? The schools that i wish to apply to are: Phillips Exeter Academy, Deerfield academy, and maybe Taft. I have set the bar high, and therefor it would be much appreciated if you could tell me whether i can get it, but also if i went, what is it like.
Keep in mind that my preference order is this: Exeter, Deerfield, and Taft.
Here is some information so you can get an idea of my academics and other stuff:</p>
<p>I go to a very prestigious private day school, and have been there for four years, in the last two years i have gotten mostly A's and a few B+'s. This school, unlike many other schools uses the Harkness Table in all of our classrooms, which is something that Exeter created. All of my teachers have said that i am one of the most active participants at the table. My main academic interests are History and English. My humanities teacher who teaches me both of these subjects, is a former student and teacher at PEA. My weakest subject is science and i got a 89.5 last term. I am also driven by a curiosity in math, which in my opinion is one of the coolest things in the world. </p>
<p>I am also a Fencer, i fence at the national level and go to many national tournaments a year. I want to go far with fencing but if i were to get into one of these schools i think i would give it up. </p>
<p>I also am the founder and Co-chair of the social justice task force at my synagogue. We deal with issues that face our state, country, and world. We lobby on these subjects, as well as make information about them more accessible to members of our community. </p>
<p>At school i am also one of the founders of the middle school diversity club. We promote ideas about diversity to our school community as well as go to conferences on diversity and how we can instigate change in our community.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that although i am currently in the 8th grade i would be applying for 10th grade. </p>
<p>thank you</p>
<p>You’ve described in great detail what u will be giving up in your present prestigious day school, but have not articulated what u are seeking in boarding school, other than Harkness. Just so u know, Harkness is not all that unique. EVERY boarding school we visited uses it to some extent. Don’t get caught uo on the hype.</p>
<p>I think giving up national-level competitive fencing is a BIG mistake.</p>
<p>I am seeking an enviroment in which i can learn in a whole new dimension. I love learning and even though my school is very good, i feel almost unchallenged in many subjects (except Mandarin.) </p>
<p>why do you think it is a big mistake? @GTMplus7</p>
<p>If u are holding your own in fencing on the NATIONAL level, then I think it’s a waste to abandon that talent. High-level fencing makes u stand out from the crowd. Without that distinction, you make end up being just another face in the crowd. </p>
<p>If u are intent on pursuing boarding school, then I would find a school where u could continue to develop your fencing talent at a high level. Abandoning fencing for Exeter just because Exeter invented Harkness teaching seems like the tail wagging the dog.</p>
<p>I agree with GMT. Fencing could be your hook to help you get into boarding school. Also when you are ready to apply to college they would rather see that stuck with fencing rather that quit. </p>
<p>What about maybe a school that has a fencing team like laurenceville? @buddysmom @GMTplus7</p>
<p>I’ve said it before on this forum. I don’t know why people are drinking the Kool-Aid about the Harkness tables. It’s just discussion around a table. Whatever.</p>
<p>The are many reasons to go to a boarding school, which have been discussed on other threads, but I don’t think you’ve adequately expressed WHY you feel a boarding school is right for you. I would think there would be more local options if a more challenging environment is what you seek.</p>
<p>I concur that dropping fencing would be a mistake. If you continue to improve on a national level, it will certainly be a hook for you with college applications. There are 16K HS starting quarterbacks in any given year. I have no idea how many of them are college-bound seniors. Regardless, there are many more of them then there are fencers who have competed nationally.</p>
<p>I would have to assume that if you compete nationally that you are training regularly and year-round at a competition training facility. I don’t know anything first-hand about Lawrenceville,as the don’t have my sport so I never visited, but there are others here who have more knowledge of the school who can share insight. In general, I’m not a big fan of choosing a school based on a sport; I think the wiser move is to choose the school that is the best fit for you, and if they offer the sport it’s a bonus.</p>
<p>If you do choose the BS route, I would find the school that is best for you fit-wise, and see what opportunities there are for you to fence either with the school or outside the school.</p>
<p>As far as Lawrenceville, my child has only applied to three schools and Lawrenceville was one of them. </p>
<p>One thing about harkness my school does it and it really is more than a discussion around a table. I could go on and on about why it is really a wonderful thing but id rather not. Needless to say it is a characteristic that when me and my family made a list of boarding schools one of the things we looked for is harkens.</p>
<p>Just based on the information i have given( extracurricular, academics, etc…) do you think i have a good chance of getting in, a bad one, medium? Why or why not? @buddysmom @skieurope @GTMplus7</p>
<p>I am not qualified to respond to your chance as this is our first experience with BS. I can only tell you what I have learned from this site, research, and talking to other parents as well as what we did. My child is also an athlete and after a lot of research we choose three schools that were not only top tier but also had his sport as well as excellent coaching and the right facilities. Our main reason for BS was academics and not sports, however sports plays a major role in BS. You have to participate in sports anyway so why not continue with your fencing and find a school that you like that also has fencing as a sport. I would imagine that since you are already nationally ranked and your grades look good that fencing would give you an advantage. You can find a school that you really like that also has fencing. I have heard that it used to be what the school could offer you but now it is what you can offer the school. Everyone can offer the grades; you need something else. Check back with me after March 10.</p>