<p>For a while now, I've thought that it would serve everyone (especially new applicant classes) well if there was a "Non-HADES" thread right below/above the "HADES...what makes them so good" thread in the "Featured" section of the forum.</p>
<p>The thought is that these schools deserve as least as much attention as is paid to the more famous schools. Who knows, maybe someone who had only known about the more famous schools will find a school that is a better fit with a higher likelihood of admittance via a thread like this.</p>
<p>The title might be something like:
The Not-HADES...why it's smart to take a closer look at these great lesser-known schools</p>
<p>The first post might be something like:
There are the schools everyone has heard of, and there are the schools that everyone should hear more about. This thread is dedicated to these "below the radar" schools from every part of the country. Have a favorite? Add it to the list and offer your 2¢ on why people should take a closer look.</p>
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<p>Optimally, the thread would have one of those self-policed cumulative lists complete with location — so that from any page, one can see at a glance what schools might be in their geographic consideration set.</p>
<p>If you think this is an interesting idea, chime in. Maybe the admins will consider making it a featured thread if enough people are interested.</p>
<p>I think it would be a great idea, however, it would be great to get rid of the HADES acronym altogether. It was invented here a few years ago and has no meaning outside of this CC forum. It doesn’t began to encompass even the more selective schools and is a very artificial device. Maybe, just focus on “Lesser-known Schools”.</p>
<p>Thanks SevenDad for making the move! I support you 100%.</p>
<p>Agree with creative1 - eliminate the acronyms. </p>
<p>There are SO many ‘other’ schools that the thread could get long and out of control. Is it feasible to break it down by size (say under 350 and 350+) or geography or even single sex?</p>
<p>Honestly, if prospective bs applicants do their homework, they have been to Boarding School Review or TABS and they know there are other schools out there. Our ‘mission’ (as I see it) would be to promote these lesser known schools in the hope that students would open their minds to a larger pool of options.</p>
<p>@mamakiwi & creative1: My only thought with including an a acronym is that it sets the thread up as a foil to the HADES one that already exists.</p>
<p>Maybe it could be called the “Un-ACRONYM” thread…</p>
<p>If anyone knows how to reach the admin or moderator of the BS sub-section, send me a PM…when I clicked on the names at the bottom right, I didn’t see a PM option.</p>
<p>One of my issues with using acronyms is human nature. If folks keep seeing HADES or GLADCHEMMS, some folks will think there is a certain cachet involved. I personally try to never use them. My hope is to just have them disappear so I’d rather not “endorse” their usage.</p>
<p>Good idea! One would get the idea from reading this forum that there are only 6 or 7 boarding schools in the US! </p>
<p>Surely there are wonderful schools that hardly ever get mentioned here. When I read about posters who got declined at 4 or 5 HADES schools and have no BS left to hear from, I wonder why they did not even consider a “tier 2” so to speak, school?</p>
<p>I would like to add that when one of my guys was applying, I was reluctant to repeat his first choice school on CC for fear of bringing the school to light and presenting more competition for him. I was kind of glad everyone was focused on the common acronyms. Of course we think of his school as an acronym all by itself, thank you very much!</p>
<p>Count me in! Maybe instead of a giant 20-page-long list of schools, it could be a place to simply discuss all those other schools without being assaulted by over-zealous kids waving SAT scores and IVY matriculation stats in our faces.</p>