<p>OK. So we know all the HADES/GLADCHEMMS/ACRONYM schools, and we know "everyone" (tongue firmly in cheek here) is applying. How about we start a list of where you are applying that is NOT one of those schools.</p>
<p>This is your thread for posting other schools - backups, safeties or first choices, it doesn't matter. I think there is value for those in the CC community to see that NOT "everyone" is actually only choosing those 10-15 schools.</p>
<p>Come on: let's fill out this list! What else is there to do while we wait for M10! :-)</p>
<p>My sole non-acronym (at least, I think?) school that I’m applying to is The Taft School. It’s not my safety-I prefer to think of it as a “reach.” Taft is a school that I most ardently admire :D</p>
<p>Pomfret is one of my favorite hidden gem schools. I’ve seen it mentioned more and more on CC these past few years. I think it’s gaining popularity like Loomis and SAS.</p>
<p>THis is terrific! No offense to Andover, Exeter, and the gang, but there are some of us out here that want to learn more about the next “tier”… glad to hear some of these names… keep 'em coming!</p>
<p>Think NMH should be in this group, too. It still seems like it is treated as a backup by the majority of mentions it gets here on CC, but for the right kid and family, I think it would be stellar.</p>
<p>I think The Hill School is worthy of a good look. It has a new headmaster (Exeter/Dartmouth/Harvard Law) and a great reputation. If you look historically, The Hill was always included as a HADES school. It was very late to the train on admitting girls, so I think this is why it fell from the top ranks – without the girls, they couldn’t attract the boys and Hill’s stats took a hit. Within the college admissions community, however, Hill is hugely respected and, with the new headmaster, I believe will accelerate its upward trajectory and return to the top rank it once easily held. Back in the day, Hill was the “H” in HADES.</p>
<p>Anyone applying to Millbrook? We keep circling back to it. We have not applied but got an email today saying it is not too late. Interestingly, this is the 3rd such email we have gotten from several schools – is that normal? To have the deadline come and go, and then still tell everyon they have time left to apply? Does that indicate application number are down? Or is that just standard practice… anyone know?</p>
<p>I know lots of people who have sent their kids to Millbrook (we live nearby so they go as day students) and are very happy with it. I’d have been delighted to have my DC apply, but she wanted to get away from everyone she knows! It’s a wonderful campus (they have a great zoo!) surrounded by a GORGEOUS rural area. (Only 30 minutes from Poughkeepsie if being near an urban area is important.)</p>
<p>The “it’s not too late!” thing is actually pretty standard outside the circle of New England schools involved in the admissions arms race (and even those schools will entertain late applications from cancer-curing junior Olympic pole vaulting french horn players). The admissions committee at my school is just starting to read applications, and in order to have the strongest possible pool, they do follow up with anyone who started the process but didn’t finish. </p>
<p>I also want to say nice things about Millbrook. I was considered for a job there a year or two ago, and really enjoyed meeting faculty, administration, and students there. The school was relaxed and happy. When I asked an administrator what sort of child thrived there, I was told “I think of it as a great place for ‘middle children.’ The kid who might get overlooked in another environment because they tend to put others before themselves. They are capable kids who are not spotlight grabbers or resume padders.” The kids I met were sweet, kind, thoughtful, and genuine. I didn’t take the job in the end, but I left with positive feelings about the school. Also, I thought their website was a very accurate reflection of the school.</p>
<p>Winning my award for “great school saddled with bland website:” is Episcopal High School near D.C. I have friends who teach there (the whole school apparently just walked to the inauguration in advisory groups). It’s a beautiful school in a great location, and my friends say the academics are for real. They love it there, (it has kind of a Deerfield vibe to me–sporty and preppy with surprisingly good arts) and when I’ve visited, I can see why they like it so much.</p>
<p>Pelican dad wrote “Think NMH should be in this group, too. It still seems like it is treated as a backup by the majority of mentions it gets here on CC, but for the right kid and family, I think it would be stellar.”</p>
<p>My question is who is the right kid? I think the campus offers peace and teaches ability to relax by living in the woods, but what do others find attractive? I liked the campus but am concerned about the academics.</p>
<p>Thanks for the “recommendation” for Millbrook. We have a good feeling about it, but are a bit late to the game - calendar wise -. Based on what I read here, I think I will encourage my daughter to finish the application process there.</p>
<p>As to Episcopal: I have also heard terrrific things about that school. Unfortunately, I don’t think they offer ice hockey, and my daughter has said that is an absolute requirement.
She has her priorities! LOL</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the good info posted here. CC is a valuable resource for researching schools.</p>
<p>I’ll be curious to see if there are any responses on NMH, since it’s high on my list of favorites (not necessarily my DC’s - she liked it but likes two others more.) I loved everything about it except, interestingly, the two classes we visited. (It’s the only school where we got to sit in on classes so I can’t compare it to anything.) They were fine, but didn’t blow me away with the brilliance of the teachers or of the kids. (Well, the English teacher was fantastic, but the kids didn’t participate much - maybe they were shy in front of a whole group of visitors.)</p>
<p>But I assume that a selective school like NMH, with a wide range of offerings, a large number of teachers with advanced degrees, and the college-model block schedule (which I REALLY liked but I know doesn’t suit everyone’s taste) the academic experience is going to be far better than our local public high school!</p>
