Milton or St. Andrew's DE?

[Prep2011]

<p>PLEASE DON'T REPLY IF YOU KNOW WHO I AM. Try private messaging. Thank you. </p>

<p>Background:
International student entering as a new sophomore.
Pretty strong in math but only loves English/writing/performing arts.
More likely to fall in the top 20% at SAS, judging from my standardized test scores.
Have never been to Milton/SAS and will not be able to come for revisits. </p>

<p>I understand that they're radically different schools but can't decide which one would be a fit. They're nothing like my current school (both have smaller size and bigger campus). </p>

<p>Here are my questions:
Founding Date:
Milton is way older. Does it mean it's preppier?
Religious Affiliation:
Would I feel comfortable at an episcopal school? (non-Christian here)
Size:
Is spending three years with 300- people intimidating at times? Is Milton too competitive just like A and E due to their size(yes I am generalizing)? Cutthroat competition is not what I'm looking for.
Can I assume that SAS is more nurturing and laid-back while Milton is sink or swim?
Campus:
Milton is almost 20 times smaller. Is it crowded for 700 students?
Boarding ratio:
Some say 50/50 is okay at Milton because you can visit day students' families and ask them to take you out on weekends. And there are 300+ boarders! I've never attended a boarding school. How does it really feel when half of your classmates leave after 6 or 7?
I love 100% boarding.
Endowment:
SAS has a lot more money. How does this affect student life?
Dorms:
SAS only has doubles and triples. Would a privacy advocate like me get used to that? (and internationals probably have different personal habits?)
Location:
I come from a metropolis. So trying something new (middle of nowhere) could be hard yet exciting. Milton's proximity to Boston is definitely a huge plus. But that also depends on the school's policies and how we can interact with day students.
College Matriculation:
I'm not concerned about the academic rigor at both schools but Milton has a better matriculation (I did take all the liberal arts colleges SAS graduates attended into account, but Milton still stands out). What does it mean? Is it because Milton's closer to Harvard/MIT? Is it because they have fewer students on financial aid? Or they just simply produce more attractive students?
International students:
There are very few from my country at SAS, but a lot at Milton. Going to SAS may prevent some potential unfriendly competition, but will I feel lonely?
Sports:
Is Milton more sports-oriented?</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your time. Any replies and PMs would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Good luck with all your decisions! And parents, thanks for being supportive along the way! April 10 is finally approaching =)</p>

[SevenDad]

<p>I don’t know much about Milton, but here are some points about SAS:</p>

<p>Campus:
While SAS’ landholdings are massive, the actual footprint of academic/sports buildings is quite manageable and similar to other BS, IMO.</p>

<p>Size:
I think Milton’s upper school has over 2 times the number of students that SAS does…but factoring that Milton is 50% boarding and SAS is 100% boarding, I think the number of boarders would be comparable.</p>

<p>Location:
If proximity to a US metropolis is truly important, you should go to Milton. SAS is not that far from Philadelphia and DC (a 1-2 hours by car), but it is not a suburb of either — as Milton is to Boston.</p>

<p>Dorms:
I don’t know what you mean by being “a privacy advocate”, but in general most BS reserve singles for Seniors (I think Deerfield? might be a school where Freshman get singles). I think getting comfortable with other people/people from other cultures is part of what BS is about, and consider it prep for college.</p>

<p>College Matriculation:
Milton seems to have the upper hand when it comes to “famous/prestigious” schools. But SAS sends a bunch of kids to Williams (small NE liberal arts college) every year, and that says a lot to me. You have to ask yourself if you are going to BS as a means to an end or an end in itself.</p>

<p>Episcopal Schools:
None of the Episcopal schools we visited required that you be a Christian to attend the school. Chapel is part of the weekly school schedule, though and I think they all encourage some connection to/reverence for a higher power…no matter what faith tradition you come from.</p>

<p>The X Factor:
Look into some of SAS Headmaster Tad Roach’s Chapel talks. Read over that letter he sent to you…and the one he sent to your parents. Then read Milton’s. Each school’s approach to these form letters might bring some things to light.</p>

<p>BTW, I’m a parent of a student who applied to BS this cycle.</p>

[ops]

<p>You should be aware that many new students upon enter boarding school excel extraordinarily well once given the opportunity. They’re all smart kids, be modest, tread lightly.</p>

<p>My familiarity is more with SAS being a current parent. My current interactions with MA are only from attending sporting events from the past 4-5 years and personally go back too many decades to provide an honest opinion only of the school today.</p>

<p>Founding: Preps are everywhere. Believe you’ll find more so called preps at MA than at SAS. Since 48% of the student body at SAS receives some form of F/A there is less likely a show of prep, but nothing wrong with prep in my book. </p>

<p>Religion: SAS is episcopal but students of different faiths attend with no issues. They’re not going to convert you and the lessons they speak apply to the good of all mankind. IDK maybe that was preaching.</p>

<p>Size: SAS is not laid back and not a walk in the park. It is very academically challenging and if you got accepted then they believe you can handle the work. It’s small enough so that you won’t fall through the crack. You don’t want to fall behind and then play catch-up, I’m sure they can say the same for MA.</p>

<p>Boarding: IMO and with all due respect to day students and the parents, the 100% boarding aspect really cuts down on drama. The unity of any school relies on the participation of the entire student body and faculty which which SAS teems and overflows with in success. </p>

<p>Endowment: I believe a school’s endowment tells a lot about a school, it’s alumni, parents past and present, friends, faculty and Headmaster. Considering the size of the SAS and their endowment compared to schools of similar size and larger, tells me that many really appreciate SAS. The large endowment enables SAS to offer the opportunity of a lifetime to those students who otherwise would be financially incapable of achieving. The endowment is proof of the payback that SAS enjoys in return. </p>

<p>Dorms: Having a roommate is part of the equation at SAS. The bonds and comradery that are formed in dorms can last for a lifetime at any boarding school. It is a new and exciting experience, soak it up for all it’s worth. Your 14-15 years old, you’ll get over the privacy issue. Don’t get all stuck in your ways already, you have a long ways to go in life and need to be flexible. I promise, your roommate will have the same birthday suit as you.</p>

<p>Matriculation: There is no doubt MA matriculation is impressive and the school is outstanding. It is also more than twice the size of SAS with a strong history with the many prominent Colleges and Universities. I’m not going to go into ratios and try to break it all down as it is not a perfect science when it comes to college matriculation. Having just experienced it all over again last year for one son, the logistics of it all still leaves me reflecting on the whole process. The SAS matriculation is just as impressive for me and if I’m willing to write the checks then it’s all good. Having said that, please understand that the experience and education that any boarding school provides is not going to guarantee you whatsoever a place at some prestigious college or university. That’s solely up to you and can be obtained just as well by attending a public school. That is a whole other thread. Bottom line, it’s whatever you want to put into into it determines what you’re going to get out of it, like anything else in life.</p>

<p>International: You will not feel lonely. Ridiculous, your problem may be getting the entire floor out of your room. </p>

<p>Sports: I think that you will get the same answer from the football captains of SAS and MA with respect to their intentions to win and corresponding attitude of the entire student body of both schools. Team spirit is all there at SAS as well as at MA.</p>

<p>I’m sure you have already watched the SAS school video numerous times but it really does capture the essence of the school, the students and faculty. What they tell you is real, an environment that I believe so many other schools strive to achieve. Congratulations on your acceptances and good luck with your choice.</p>