<p>Howdy. A Pomfret student is here to answer one and all questions you may have concerning the Hilltop Experience!</p>
<p>So how long have you been there? Did you look at other schools and if so, which ones and why did you decide on Pomfret? In retrospect, are you happy with your decision? What are the best unique features of Pomfret? Are there any areas that are lacking that you wish you had at the school? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi. </p>
<p>This is my first year on the Hilltop. I came from a prestigious all boys jr. boarding school, and looked at many schools, namely: Lawrenceville, Deerfield, Taft, Milton, Hotchkiss, Choate, Westy, St. Georges, et al. Pomfret has a great community feel, that is unrivaled at most NE boarding schools. We meet as a school each school day, and social ‘cliques’ are non-existant. Pomfret has a great digital arts program, as well as a strong general arts program. The student life here is quite the scene, and does not die out during the weekends, as with some other schools. Pomfret does not have a swimming pool, but that is of no concern to me. I think Pomfret was the right choice for me.</p>
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<p>That’s great, it’s good to hear you are happy with your choice. How did you find the workload this fall? What courses were you taking?</p>
<p>Supposedly there was a book written about Pomfret (I’ve seen this mentioned on a couple of forums in the Prep School area), and the book was not complimentary as regards cliques and sex, etc. etc. Can you find this book and address these concerns? Pomfret is on our list. Like many, we look at college accpetances list on the website to see how competitive a prep school is. If less than 25% attend the ivy league + stanford + MIT . . . .</p>
<p>Pomfret Workload is what you make it. It can be as challenging as SPS, Andover, DA or as easy as your ordinary private college preparatory school. As far as courses go: 3 Honors: Eng. Spa. Physics. and then AL. II and World History. Sophomore year is manageable here.</p>
<p>Perfectly Prep, written by Pomfret Faculty Sarah A. Chase, is not just about Pomfret. It is a book that encompasses all prep schools, and the issues associated with them. Pomfret is nothing “Bolton” the fictitious school in the book. </p>
<p>Looking at college acceptance rates coming out of a boarding school is a poor way to judge competitiveness in my opinion. Example: Deerfield has a less than 25% Ivy+Stanford+MIT. </p>
<p>It is easier to get into a good college coming to Pomfret as a good student. Here, with a smaller class size, and less competition it is easier to become top of your class than at a SPS or Andover. I could have gone to a top tier BS, but would not have stood out there as much as I do here. I wished to go to Deerfield for my High School years, but only because of the name, and prestige. Eventually I realized my mistake, and the small class size and community strength at Pomfret drew me here. </p>
<p>-Papereater33</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, the science program is a definite weakness at Pomfret. I know there is an astronomy observatory, but otherwise, it seems like not much is going on there. Can you tell me how strong you’ve found the science program?</p>
<p>Science is not a weakness at Pomfret. If you were to join me on a tour, you would hear me proclaim: “As you can see, this is Pomfrets science building. While the building itself is dated, the equipment is all top notch.” (I go on to show the applicant the classrooms, with lab spaces.) Also, technology in the sciences at Pomfret is top notch. To overcome math hurdles in Physics we use a college level computing program. This ables new freshman to understand physics, without getting caught up on the math side. In, turn, a physics first program, along with the use of computers aids Pomfret students in the SAT tests. Also, we are at the forefront of technology and math, using the new Texas Instruments N-Spire system. This allows each students calculator to be connected with the teacher. Our science building is going to be rebuilt within the next 5 years too. Our observatory is equipped with a research level computer and a 20" refractor telescope. Astrophotography is also big here. There are also numerous science trips during spring break. Pomfret does not have a science center, that rivals Deerfield or Andover, yet the quality of education and individual attention is congruent with larger institutions. And if Billy Koch had gone here, we would have a science center like Deerfield. Science is FUN!</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback.</p>