<p>Not every kid at Choate is a wealthy, worldly NYC kid. And not only wealthy, worldly NYC kids want the chance to go there. It is much more diverse than that. I think, icy, that while you might not mean to offend, your posts at times, are capable of doing that. The kids that come on here are very impressionable. We need to be careful with how we state our opinions. Nobody knows it all, and many on here, though perhaps less experienced, still have things of value to offer.</p>
<p>Icy, I find it amusing that although I chided you for stating opinion as fact, I apologized because it was evident you took offense to my post. Yet, you then feel free to attack me and call me: *"mean, a denigrator, highly emotional, unfair, unreasonable, unknowledgeable, inexperienced, and posed the question just how low will I go? * </p>
<p>Geez, I can only imagine your reaction if I actually said something truly negative about you!</p>
<p>Well I think that you have shown us all just, as you wrote, "how low you will go".</p>
<p>Clarification - my comments regarding the broad and subjective nature of the advice and opininions here were, in fact, merely restating what Icy had already said in post 17:</p>
<p>"Typicalizations are very difficult without knowing both the child and the school very well. I am quite familiar with the South, and I am familiar with boarding schools, but I do not know you so take my opinion with a bit of caution. " (sorry, couldn't make the quote box work).</p>
<p>You guys are adults! If you have to fight, do it through private messages.</p>
<p>Actually, it IS hard to generalize about the culture of a particular boarding school and how that will fit a particular child. I don't know anything about Choate but rather a great deal about St. Paul's and I would say that the probability of "fit" is a function of the interaction between the parent and the child in the first few critical months of boarding school. How does a child get used to the fact that even at St. Paul's somebody has to be at the bottom of the class, and how does this go down with the parents?</p>
<p>Anyway, I agree that all schools are not alike and that the difference between Exeter and St. Paul's is much greater than the physical distance would suggest.</p>
<p>The key question is not which is the better school but which school suits a particular applicant best. St. Paul's as an explicitly Episcopalian school (although welcoming to all faiths) is simply a different kind of place than Exeter. Like Groton it has one of the most magnificent neo-gothic chapels in the coutry, the lay out of the grounds remind one of the meadows at Christ Church Oxford, 100% of the students are boarders. Spiritually and educationally it is a 24/7 environment which forms bonds which I believe different in kind from those formed at Exeter. It is also only half the size of Exeter and not, to my understanding, as relentlessly Darwinian in ethos. Both Exeter and St. Paul's are on their own terms amongst the best schools in the world, they are not half way houses to somewhere else. Academically most universities would be a large step down, not up from either school</p>
<p>Jonathan's right! You guys, adults, should know better than to act so childish about a couple of posts that were meant to help. You should be setting examples for us kids, not behaving more childishly than we are.</p>
<p>it cracks me up when i see figting on this site. and honesty, we're not taht impressionable, and even if we are that will alll change next year if we go to bs anyway. play nice guys!</p>
<p>I agree with paleozoic's comment regarding St. Paul's School & Exeter. The same can certainly be stated about Groton & Andover regarding the ease of transition to academically demanding colleges & universities. Hotchkiss, Milton Academy & Deerfield Academy too. And I also agree that it is hard to "generalize" about boarding school cultures, which is why I only "typicalize". Big difference.</p>
<p>Actually, I was born in New York's Upper East Side. :) But I moved to Florida later. So, no, I don't think it's just because the people there were different - and some of them aren't in that type of group (NYC, wealthy, etc.), but boarding school in general wasn't right for me. I don't have anything specific against the people, if that's what you're wondering. Boarding school wasn't the right course for me, and I'm glad that I made the decision to come back, and I hope that everyone next year (whether they go to boarding school or not) can decide what is right for them as well, whether that means going away or staying home. So I wish all of you the best of luck, but I agree that no one should be making assumptions about what kind of person fits at boarding school, because I know people from all walks of life who love it/hate it, etc.</p>
<p>Jonathan and Padfoot you are both wise beyond your years. The more I read from some posters on this board the less credible they become. BTW That's just a personal opinion.</p>
<p>Awww...Thanx! I try to be honest when posting, although I change my stats somewhat if I post scores and stuff (advice from D'yer). Anyways, were you reading some of my previous posts or something? Just wondering. I don't have any problems with people doing that.</p>
<p>And Olivia? I think you need to change your location... ;)</p>
<p>I have read your posts and they are always straightforward and honest. I was agreeing with your observation about some of the adults and their childish antics. In my profession I work with teenagers and young adults like yourself and I notice that this generation is a lot more resilient than mine. I guess it's because teens nowadays know that they are evolving both mentally and physically. Some adults (and I use the term loosely) on this board are so set in their ways that they feel threatened when someone questions their opinion.</p>
<p>Hmmm...that's something to think about.</p>
<p>Olivia
Thanks for replying to my PM. I tried to reply back to you but your PM quota has exceeded. I am sure that they are from lots of well-wishers in CC. I will post here in the hopes that you will read this.</p>
<p>I think I have an idea what you are talking about. Going to a BS is a big decision, for the entire family. As you say, you get to be in the high school only once, and you should be able to do what you think is really right for you. But many times we really don't know what it is until we try. At least you will be able to say that you have tried and you have had a valuable experience that will serve you better for your future endeavors.
All the best.</p>
<p>Olivia,
you will still be my inspiration!! :)</p>
<p>Aw that's so sweet. :) Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>You changed your location! :D Good luck in everything that you do, Olivia.</p>
<p>bumping for many reasons.</p>
<p>i dont think this should affect the decisions for people who are considering choate, because i absolutely love it.</p>