Lawrenceville vs. Peddie?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

<p>Hi ! I was waitlisted for both Lawrenceville and Peddie, and would like to know which is the 'better' one. By 'better', I mean better suited for me. I've already heard that Lawrenceville is a 'higher tier school' (?) than Peddie.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if one of the schools would fit me. I don't want to go to too much of an artsy school, since I'm not too great at drawing, painting, sketching, etc. The other type of arts, such as PA, I am fine at.</p>

<p>Can someone tell me more about these schools? I'd really appreciate it!</p>

<p>Thanks in advance ;)</p>

2

<p>My daughter is deciding between these two schools. She is very confused! She attended the very rainy L’ville revisit, and loved it! Going into the day, I know she had Peddie ahead of L’Ville, but this changed within the first hour of the revisit. </p>

<p>She is really looking forward to the Peddie revisit. I have no idea which she will choose, but I am so happy that she is giving both of these schools a chance. After all, she will be there 24/7 for so much of her life over the next four years.</p>

<p>She is on spring break for the next week, so I will tell her to check out this thread. The revisit experience really changes the way you see the school. I can’t wait to see her reaction to Peddie! What I thought of L’ville was very different from the reaction I had after actually spending the day there, etc. I loved the Harkness table in English class. </p>

<p>I can’t wait to check out Peddie!</p>

3

<p>Sandwindsun, thank you very much for posting this. Can you (or your daughter) post more information about the actual school on this thread, please? I applied as a boarding student to Peddie, but as a day student to Lawrenceville. Is one more artsy than the other?</p>

<p>Anyone else have something to say? Please?</p>

4

<p>I need to bump this because I really do need help learning more about these schools. Please help, someone?</p>

5

<p>i didnt apply for Lawrenceville but I did apply to peddie and got accepted.
dont let once specific aspect of a school guide your decision, take into consideration everything. </p>

<p>Peddie in the arts aspect requires you to take 3 foundation classes and thats it. if you dont want to continue with anything artsy afterwords then dont ok?</p>

<p>i hope this helps kk =)</p>

6

<p>Em2826 thank you so much you have really helped me :slight_smile: Okay, so three foundation classes. I should be alright. I hope. Do you feel as though it’s really artsy? By this I mean that they require you to do a lot of art, not only in art-specified classes but in other classes as well? Projects and such?</p>

<p>PS, can you tell me more about the houses and boarding life at Peddie? I’m applying there as a boarder :D, which is where my username comes from.</p>

<p>(If anyone cares :])</p>

7

<p>Well the only art classes you have to take is the three foundations which are Visual arts Theater and Music</p>

<p>and from what i know i dont think art is incoporated into the classes</p>

<p>im going in this year as a freshman class of 2013 =)</p>

8

<p>As a senior at Peddie - i say choose peddie! Of course! Peddie is a wonderful community where you’re sure to fit in.
About freshman foundations - you can pretty much breeze through them. I remember my freshman foundations classes were absolutely fun, but relatively easy. The program is wonderful, its great that they require you to at least test out the arts, you might find that you love them. </p>

<p>Boarding life is very close knit, especially freshman year when they require you to live together in one freshman dorm. The dorms freshman year werent the best, but they get better as you get older. You have study hall from 8 to 10, which is nicer than you’d think. I hated it as a freshman - but now as a senior bound for college, and seniors dont have study hall, I still use about 2 hours a day to buckle down and work. It really prepares you. Also Monday and Friday are familiy style dinners, where you’re at an assigned table, and it used to be much more strict my freshman year because we’d have to dress up, but now its just classroom dress and you sit at your assigned table. Its nice.</p>

<p>Hands down - Peddie. That is my opinon
I hope this helped!</p>

9

<p>woot woot go peddie! im going there next year and im very excited!</p>

10

<p>Watufani, how is the college counseling at Peddie? Do they really help and push for you?</p>

<p>One freshman dorm. By this do you mean the whole freshman year shares one building?! Is it very stuffy and small in there? On average, how big are the freshman dorms? If I were to be accepted, what do you suggest I bring?</p>

<p>How big is the actual freshman year, on average? And can you give me what you’d do on a typical day?</p>

<p>If you’re taking many advanced courses, would you say that you’d need more time than just 2 hours?</p>

<p>What would you say is the difference between Peddie and Lawrenceville/</p>

<p>I know these are a lot of questions :)</p>

11

<p>College counseling is AMAZING!!! I cant impress this enough. I wouldn’t have found colleges that were so right for me if it weren’t for my college counselor! You get assigned to one out of the three counselors as your college counselor. Now my problem is choosing from three colleges i love too much! lol - but they are absolutely great - you WILL get into the college that is right for you with them. </p>

<p>All freshman borders are housed in Kerr - But usually there are only about 70 freshman borders i think and half of those are guys and half girls. The Girls live in Masters, and the Guys live in Kerr. The freshman dorms aren’t that big - so dont bring your whole life. But I believe some rooms are big enough for a chair or (SMALL) couch - if you bunk the beds i think. Bring what you need, toiletries, snacks, supplies, stuff to decorate your room with. shower shoes to wear in the shower (i hate showering barefoot in the dorms). </p>

<p>The Freshman class is usually about 95 people i think. It might be more, it might be less, but its usually around that number - small classes. Freshman usually can have an off period - but some opt to take more classes and have their schedules full. But everyday’s schedule is different. we run on a block schedule so each class is a certain letter block (A,B,C,D,E,F) and the block schedule changes every day of the week. Wednesday classes are from 8 to 1:50, and Saturday classes are 8 to 11:30. Every other day (except sunday). its 8 to 3. After school you have sports, PA, or theater activity till around 6. Then its dinner. And a break till study hall. Days are jam-packed. You’re kept busy, but thats a good thing. :-)</p>

<p>If you are in advanced courses you will probably need more than two hours. But probably not freshman year - freshman year was relatively easy. Junior year is probably the hardest. </p>

<p>the biggest difference between Peddie and Lawrenceville are the people. I just felt as if the peddie community was so different than Lawrenceville when i visited both. Peddie is a close knit and very friendly and un-pretentious community. We’re hard-working, but we know when to have fun. Almost anyone can fit in. </p>

<p>Let me know if you have anymore questions!</p>

12

<p>Thank you so much!!</p>

<p>Wow, only 95 people in the freshman class? Then it must be really tight knit. It’s unusual to have people you “absolutely hate” here, yes? Is there a lot of bullying and putdowns? Or is it the sort of place that if you want to, say, be the student council president, then everyone will help you in whichever way they can? Do people, including staff and students, encourage you and help you along? Or is it very competitive?</p>

<p>Are there consultations periods where you can meet with your teacher? Does it seem hard to grab hold of your teachers?</p>

<p>Is there a place where I can view the Peddie schedule or supplies needed?</p>

<p>What do they already provide you with in dorms? What are some absolute necessities you have to have?</p>

<p>Is the block schedule hard to follow? Why do they do this?</p>

<p>Do some people opt to skip a meal? Such as breakfast to sleep in, or lunch to cram some homework in? Or dinner? Is it advised to do so?</p>

<p>Would you say that Lawrenceville is too big and therefore the class is not as “together?” Is it unfriendly?</p>

<p>What do you like most about Peddie? How are academics, arts, and athletics? Are they all equal in intensity? Or does one stand out from the others?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for all your help! :)</p>

13

<p>watufani, thanks a ton for providing all these information.
I might be attending Peddie next year as a junior (still deciding…) so I’d like to gain as much details about the school as I can</p>

<p>I make a list of questions, so that it would be easier for you to answer.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Does lights out mean you HAVE to sleep? Are there any consequences if you are awake after 11:00? (for juniors) Do you have internet after lights out?</p></li>
<li><p>Does the school network block any sites? facebook? myspace?</p></li>
<li><p>From what I understand, Peddie provides every students with a laptop. If I prefer to use my own macbook, will I be able to access the internet?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the gym available for use throughout the day? One of the problems at my current school is that the basketball players always “take over” the gym, so everybody else who isn’t interested in basketball can’t play anything else. Does that happen in Peddie too?</p></li>
<li><p>How do you do your laundry? How much does it cost per load?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there such thing as riflery, wall climbing, fencing, or ice skating at Peddie?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a “public” piano for the one who doesn’t take music class to play?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>That’s all! Some of them might sound stupid, but they are related to my interests.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for spending your time answering. Appreciate it!</p>

14

<p>Now that I think about it more in depth, I’d like to know that too :)</p>

15

<p>yeah those are good questions</p>

16

<p>Also, watufani, do you truly and honestly, without bias, believe that Peddie is a good place to go to? Some people say that Peddie isn’t elite and it’s just like a good public school and they don’t have good college marticulation and they just…* doubt * that Peddie is a good school to go to. Do you have anything to say to this?</p>

<p>(My parents are leaning that way, so…;))</p>

17

<p>OMG so many questions! lol! haha I totally don’t mind - I do the same thing when asking people about colleges im looking at. Glad to be of help</p>

<p>Bullying - I’m not going to lie, with every school there will be jerks. There are SIGNIFICANTLY less here. i can maybe think of like 5 jerks in the school. Thats it. No bullying - and if there is ANY instance of it, it will be dealt with by not only the administration, but concerned peers. I’ve never experienced bullying like i hear stories about in public schools or even other boarding schools. Everyone is very supportive - especially during the college process. Everyone is rooting everyone else on. Same with elections. </p>

<p>To the question about teachers - Teachers are SO approachable. I have dinner at my teachers houses (cause they live on or right by campus), I go talk to them during conference period (the period from 3-330 after school ends thats for talking to your teachers), and occasionally hangout with them. They’re genuinely great people. They teach at boarding school cause they want this kind of relationship with us. </p>

<p>[Peddie</a> School ~ Weekly Academic Schedule](<a href=“http://www.peddie.org/podium/default.aspx?t=16437]Peddie”>http://www.peddie.org/podium/default.aspx?t=16437) - here is where information about the class schedule and academics can be found.
[Peddie</a> School ~ Dormitory Life](<a href=“http://www.peddie.org/podium/default.aspx?t=110879]Peddie”>http://www.peddie.org/podium/default.aspx?t=110879) - this features information about dorm life.
What’s provided? - A desk, dresser, bed, mattress, and closet. Thats it in the dorm room i think. </p>

<p>The Block schedule is to provide some variety in the days, so everyday is not the same. Its not confusing at all - after like the second week you will memorize it without a problem. </p>

<p>Skipping meals - of course some do it. I’ve done it a couple of times when i’ve had a lot of work. It’s not recommended - you need nourishment lol. But the priority is doing the best that you can. The feeling is not that you should overwork yourself to death though. </p>

<p>I can’t really speak to Lawrenceville. I applied there four years ago, but chose Peddie, because I felt as if Peddie people felt more like real life people - less wrapped up in their own world and concerned with the world around them. I just felt so out of place at Lawrenceville and it seemed like such a more stuffy (in the psychological sense, not physically) environment than Peddie. Granted, I know wonderful and amazing people at Lawrenceville, and its a wonderful school, but I would choose Peddie any day. </p>

<p>Academics, Arts, Athletics - Honestly they’re all highly above average. They’re all spectacular. Our athletics and academics might have more resources than our arts (a problem which is soon changing, after they finish the new athletic center) but Peddie’s dedication to all three is beyond amazing. I personally like the arts the most, because I am an actor - I was recently in the musical working at Peddie as the Stone mason, and It was my favorite show I’ve ever done. The arts at peddie are wonderful.</p>

<p>Lights out - After freshman year they don’t really enforce lights out. It depends on what dorm you are in, but most of the time (sophomore and junior year, seniors dont have lights out) i could get away with saying i had too much work, or pretend like i was getting ready for bed. But it depends on what dorm you are in. Oh and for freshman through juniors (unless you are a prefect) internet cuts off at 11:30 - except for Saturday.</p>

<p>Facebook, Myspace, and other networking sites are blocked during study hall (Sunday through Friday 8 - 10 PM)</p>

<p>Macbook - Yep, you can use your own macbook with the internet here. Plenty of my friends use their macbooks at peddie, but they still use their peddie laptop for schoolwork.</p>

<p>The gym is open various times throughout the day, and its open to anyone - so certain sports players won’t dominate the place, and we’re building a new athletic center that will be done soon so you’ll have an even better experience. </p>

<p>Laundry is 1.25 for washing and .75 for drying. </p>

<p>riflery, wall climbing, fencing, or ice skating are not offered at Peddie, but if there is a nearby program that does offer that - Peddie might be able to sponsor you taking the program there. One of my friend dances and its not offered as a Physical Activity - so she takes it off-campus</p>

<p>“A public piano”? More like 20 lol. Swig arts center has about 8 practice rooms i think, each one with a piano, which are busy mostly from like 10 to 1 school-days, but any other time they’re all usually available for anyone to use. I use them all the time and i’ve never taken a piano lesson (but i do take a lot of choir and singing groups) </p>

<p>LASTLY - Peddie is in my opinion one of the best schools in this country. In many ways much better than the elitist new england schools everyone reveres. Peddie values a community dedicated to diversity, acceptance of ideas, and intellectual growth. Don’t listen to the rankings, don’t listen to people who say its “a good public school”. Its so much more. Its a way of life almost. I would totally recommend it!</p>

<p>and PS - Rankings SUCK. They are no indication of how good a school is. Keep that in mind when you start the college process. The only one who knows how good a school is is you! So visit places. I would recommend you all visit Peddie. Its the best way to experience it! PM me and I’ll come by and say hi when you visit</p>

<p>:-)
-Watu</p>

18

<p>I have another question <em>laughs</em> Would you say the money you have to pay as a boarding school is “worth it” for Peddie? Is it worth more than a “free” public education? Will I actually look back and say I am glad my family used over $125,000 for tutition at Peddie just for me?</p>

<p>So elections aren’t just a matter of who is the most “popular” at all? It’s truly a “fair game” for all that decide to run for a position in student council?</p>

<p>Is it possible to do extracurricular clubs, sport teams as well as theater/plays/drama all in one year if you are interested in all of them (without taking a theater/play/drama class)? Is there enough time in the day to do all this?</p>

<p>Do you, at anytime, feel burned out by work, socially, or any other way? Are you ever bored? What do people normally do in their free time?</p>

<p>How exactly do you think Peddie has or will prepare for college?</p>

<p>Are you allowed to download things onto your Peddie laptops?</p>

<p>Does taking a piano lesson or any other instrument lesson cost money? I think it does, but I’m not sure…?</p>

<p>The laundry/drying fee is per week, yes? Can you pay it all at the beginning/end of the year? Are you allowed as many clothes to put in the laundry/drying as you want per week?</p>

<p>Wait. So dance isn’t offered at Peddie?</p>

<p>I’ll definitely PM you when I visit :)</p>

<p>And once again, thank you so much for helping with all these questions! I truly appreciate it :D</p>

19

<p>Well my family got really good financial aid from Peddie, but regardless, whatever we were paying FELT like 125,000 dollars in our budget. And i would say YES - it is worth it. You’ll have your ups and your downs. Your times when you want to go time. times when you love it at peddie. But it’s all apart of learning how to deal with life. It definitely prepares you for college much more than public school or private day schools in my opinion. </p>

<p>Elections - especially with my class, have not been a popularity contest. The people who won genuinely deserve to win. That cant be said of most schools. </p>

<p>Of course! there’s time to do all. You can do a sport one term, and theater another term. Extra-curriculars can be done throughout the year, they take up less time than a sport or theater. </p>

<p>Feel burned out by work? YES - but i can guarantee you it will be the same at every boarding school. The notion of boarding school suggests that you will be doing much more work than normal. But that doesnt mean you’re burned out all the time! Matter of fact most of the time you arent (unless you choose to take all the hard classes, then its your own fault lol). Most of the time I’m chill about my work - as long as its not an overwhelming amount, which it usually isnt (but, my perception is skewed after four years of boarding school). There are days when you’re bored - sundays, but usually you can catch up on work. But Saturdays you can make the most of. theres a Saturday night activities committee that plans things every saturday and sunday. People go to town for fun, walk to the movies, go to the mall, ect.</p>

<p>Like i said - I’m definitely much more prepared than most for college because of peddie. i can guarantee it. </p>

<p>You can download things on your peddie laptop, as long as you’re not downloading illegally (on campus, at home do whatever - as long as you’re not using the peddie campus lol)</p>

<p>Piano and instrumental lessons do cost money, I’m not sure how much though…</p>

<p>You can use the laundry anytime you want as long as the dryer and washer are free. You use quarters to operate the machine. You can fill the laundry machine up, as long as you dont stuff it so it overflows (never happened to me before, and i put a ton of clothes in lol) </p>

<p>Dance classes - Because of my friend i was talking about, Is now offered at Peddie a couple of times a month. She started the program, she brought in one her friends she knows to teach. She tells me its a wonderful program and they welcome new people. so hopefully that will continue next year! Plus the all school musical in the winter provides for dance opportunities</p>

<p>No problem! I’m happy to help!</p>

20

<p>:( My computer just did something weird so I lost all the questions I was about to ask!</p>

<p>How exactly did Peddie prepare you for college? (ex. time management, being organized, etc) Do they “spoon-feed” you everything?</p>

<p>I’m not sure if you’d know, but what would you say about the waitlist for a full pay, 9th grade boarding student? Have they, in the past, been able to move off of the waitlist?</p>

<p>How many times are you allowed to go home for the weekend? I live about 30 minutes away, so…</p>

<p>In your opinion, what courses are the “best”? The “worst”? What do you suggest I definitely take? What do you suggest I don’t, and why?</p>

<p>How are roommates chosen for freshman year? Is it based on ethnicity, where you came from, the courses you picked, etc?</p>

<p>What extracurricular clubs/sports/theater do you suggest I should take?</p>

<p>Do you feel any particular saying or quote is true at your school and why? (ex. “Reach for the stars!” or “The sky is the limit!”, etc.)</p>

<p>What did Peddie help you most with? (ex. being organized, time management, speaking up in class, etc.) Does Peddie hold any certain things in high value?</p>

<p>I probably have more questions, but I can’t remember them all anymore.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>