<p>Hey everyone! I'm a freshman at NMH and I'm loving it so far! I'd just like to say that if anyone has any questions about the school, feel free to ask me! I went through the admissions process less than a year ago, and I know how helpful it was to get the inside scoop on some schools. Once again, don't hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for starting this thread WillemS! Are you close with everyone in your dorm? Are the athletics really competitive? Are classes challenging? How much hw do you get every night on average? What do you like most about NMH? Are people welcoming? Do people tend to stick within the people of their ethnicity? (if that makes sense. ex- asians stick with asians) Thanks! I’ll be visiting in December, so I’ll super excited. :)</p>
<p>Where do you go to relax? Have fun? Have coffee? We have been to NMH and we are concerned about the remoteness. Is that a factor for you?</p>
<p>Smiley- I definitely have a lot of friends in my dorm, and my floor especially is a very tight-knit group. I love dorm life! We do have some very serious athletic teams here. We have great hockey and basketball programs, our volleyball teams are excellent, and our soccer is also great! Most of our sports are pretty competitive, but we do have a couple teams (like our football team) that is kind of notorious for losing. I have absolutely felt challenged in class, and the longer class periods help class to stay focused. I really love how the environment is not cutthroat at all, and that all of the teachers I’ve dealt with are genuinely happy to be teaching, and are generous and understanding. Some nights I might have an hour of homework, while some nights I might have three. It really varies. However, I’ve felt that all the homework assignments have been reasonable. Teachers really “get” our lives, since they themselves are coaches, advisors for clubs, etc. I would have to say that the atmosphere at NMH is the thing I most love. Our school is very laid back- minimal dress code, fewer classes per semester, calling most teachers by first name. It really feels like home already, and a place that I feel comfortable. The people here are really awesome! Nobody has any trouble making friends. I have good friends in almost all of the grades, even seniors! It’s a small enough school that you can get to know the vast majority of students generally well, but I don’t feel like I’m sick of everyone. With about 650 kids, we have the perfect amount. As to whether people stick with their ethnicity, that is only true if you want it to be! I was really surprised at how un-cliquey NMH is. There is no “popular” group, no “geeks”. We don’t segregate ourselves at all. Yes, sometimes kids from the soccer team hang out with a lot of kids on their team, but its not exclusive. I hope you enjoy your visit! Maybe I’ll see you there!</p>
<p>Rose- I was very apprehensive about the rural location of the school at first. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the haven that it provides. There are always various trips to the Greenfield, Northampton, the mall, and even Boston on the weekends. Yet I haven’t gone on one of these trips, as I haven’t run out of things to do on campus at all! Students hang out in Blake Students Center, the dining hall, the arts center, etc. Once you are actually living at boarding school, I think you (or your child) will be surprised at how much of a non-issue location is. I’ve never really had the urge to go out to town or anything, as we have thousands of acres at our fingertips. Yet the option is always there. Let me just say that wherever the school is- be it close to a city or not- you will rarely venture beyond the bubble of prepdom. It’s really a much smaller issue than I thought it would be when I was applying.</p>
<p>I love NMH! A few people in my family went there and they’re really pushing me to attend, if I get accepted. I’ve already been there twice…</p>
<p>How is the visual arts?</p>
<p>Do you know if the outdoor program is only for kids who don’t like sports, or do people actually have an interest in the outdoors?</p>
<p>Is there good food for vegetarians? :)</p>
<p>Thank you so much for starting this thread!</p>
<p>Claire- I’m glad you love NMH! It’s an awesome place! Since you’ve visited campus, I’m sure you’ve seen the RAC, which is simply an amazing facility for the arts! Both visual and performing arts at NMH are extremely strong, and continue to draw a lot of students. Many students I know said that one of the main reasons they are at NMH is because of how the arts are seen as equals to sports, not inferior, and how it is easy to do both sports and arts. We have some incredible arts teachers and classes, and I’m sure you would be really happy with the visual arts department. I don’t know that much about the outdoor program. I do know some students on the outdoor team, and they are a really fun group. They all love being a part of team, and I think that they are passionate about the outdoors. As for vegetarian food- I’m not even a vegetarian, but I eat some of the vegetarian stuff sometimes. It’s really good! There is a lot of variety in the vegetarian/vegan selections, I don’t think you would end up being bored with the food. Most of my vegetarian friends love it! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Thanks for answering! I have a quick question, what should I wear for the interview. I know I’m supposed to follow the dress code, so is it okay if I just wear jeans and a nice top?</p>
<p>Thanks for answering! I have a quick question, what should I wear for the interview? I know I’m supposed to follow the dress code, so is it okay if I just wear jeans and a nice top?</p>
<p>It’s generally the norm to go dressier for interviews. I wouldn’t suggest jeans. NMH is a casual school, so you don’t have to be totally dressed up, but do look like you’re putting forth an effort- khaki’s or a nice skirt, an either dressier or collared top, maybe a blazer or nice sweater, etc. While I don’t think that jeans and a nice top would be offensive, I do think that you should plan on dressing up, not down, to show respect.</p>
<p>WillemS,</p>
<p>My son got accepeted in to NMH and he likes to know more about hockey coaching staff…if they are nice, friendly and focus on the game.</p>
<p>Also, with the block schedule, howmany AP classes you will be able to take in the four year term.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>What do you think make NMH stand out from other schools? What’s your favorite thing about Nmh?</p>
<p>Munnangi- my brother is a hockey recruit at NMH and he is really enjoying it! He loves the coaches and team, and is really glad to be playing hockey for the hoggers. I have heard from him that NMH doesn’t play as dirty as many other schools do- they really like to focus on the game. That’s really all I know regarding that.</p>
<p>Well with 6 classes per year (Seven if you take on additional course load) you can really take as many AP’s as you get accepted to. Generally you won’t take AP’s till junior year. you could then be in AP us history, english lit or comp, and maybe AP maths and sciences if you qualify. At most you could probably get above 5 or 6 AP’s, though your son would have to be comfortable taking on such an incredibly heavy work load.</p>
<p>Cafe23- NMH stood out for me because of the inclusiveness and kindness of the community. We aren’t a cliquey school, and we really welcome and encourage people to try new things and get involved. Also, the casual dress code and the fact that we call teachers by their first names really helps to make the school feel like a home. For me that was the deciding factor. If I’m going to live at a place for the majority of 4 years, i want it to be a place that I can feel relaxed and comfortable in, not an institution with strict rules where I have to wear a tie every day. It really does make a difference.</p>
<p>Hi! I’ve been accepted to NMH. But i’m tied betweeen NMH and Suffield Academy.
How are the freshman girls dorms at NMH? When I visited, they were quite dirty and small. If you could, could you describe them? 
Also, do you like the blocking school schedule and how is the girls Volleyball department? thanks!</p>