<p>Okay - here is part of your sentence: "... dismiss Exeter as a worthy school to apply to."</p>
<p>Now, rather than drop "as" try: ...dismiss Exeter as worthy...</p>
<p>Would you dismiss a school if it were 'worthy'? No, but you would if it were UNworthy. So, if you'll bear with me, it should read: I don't think anyone's reaction to that description of Exeter would be to dismiss Exeter as an unworthy school to apply to (or, alternately, ...dismiss Exeter as NOT worthy to apply to.).</p>
<p>It just makes sense to me. If you want line and verse do the research yourself.
: )</p>
<p>Returning to the original poster's concerns, I think one of the things I look for in a school, whether for "underrepresented minorities" or anyone else, is a school that encourages learned discussion and a resort to evidence. I get the impression that some of the prep schools like to encourage students to think about all possibilities in approaching a problem, and trying to reach a consensus after thorough discussion. I would prefer that to a model of teaching that says "Trust us" without any way for the learner to verify the teacher's opinion.</p>
<p>That is fine for those who do not mind the risk of uncertainty. There are others, however, who like courses taught with "certainty". Is the latter group less intellectually capable than the former, or are they possibly more conservative and thus less likely to explore a multifaceted approach to learning? What schools are better fits for these two dissimilar groups?</p>
<p>By the way, I cannot resist, your first sentence contained a redundancy in which you used "school" twice where once would have sufficed.
; )</p>
<p>I think the original poster who opened this thread raises some good questions, and I would like to return to those. Among the schools mentioned in this thread, what are some of the noteworty characteristics of those schools? How do alumni of those schools approach intellectual discussion? How do they communicate to build consensus about disputed issues?</p>
<p>I sit on the Board of Blair Academy in New Jersey. It is a member of the Mid Atlantic Prep League which includes Blair, Lawrenceville, Hill, Peddie, Mercersburg and Hun. All of these are outstanding schools. If you look at Blair and would like any input, I would be glad to send you a private email.</p>
<p>Hi Everyone -
So sorry it has taken me awhile to re-post but my browser has been a mess and simply wouild not let me tget on.</p>
<p>Anyway, thank you for all the tips though admittedly I was sad to see we got into a little spirited school sniping (as usual) by post 25 or so...
We will be checking out several of the schools thus far mentioned but, yes, toeknadult, I do wish there had been more information on the campus Cultures - It's been my experience at the college level, that alumni from certain prep schools tend toward social exclusivity and cluster together, shunning or dismissing minority kids or those from middle or lower economic classes - I doubt my kids wouldn't want to hang out with people like that anyway but I certainly would not want to entrap them in a situation like that on a daily basis nor have them eventually adopt those kind of social graces...if you get my gist....</p>
<p>
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that alumni from certain prep schools tend toward social exclusivity and cluster together, shunning or dismissing minority kids or those from middle or lower economic classes
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</p>
<p>If this is happening at the college level then one presumes it happened at the prep school prior to arrival on campus. I don't particularly see this as a school culture.....but rather a culture that exists in many parts of social life. I don't agree with it but please don't confuse this with a prep school culture.</p>
<p>Crash,
Many prep schools offer a wide diversity in the student population in terms of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, and socio-economic background. Through dorm living, dining together, clubs, athletics and other activities, students learn not only about their differences, but how alike they are. I find it hard to believe that these students suddenly decide to live in a bubble upon arrival on a college campus.</p>
<p>Good to see you again, crash. Yes, you and I are both looking for more information about the same issue. I LIKE about the prep schools I hear about that they have students from all over the world, and that they consciously try to admit students from all socioeconomic strata. How that all works out in real life as students choose friends is the part I am still trying to understand. I have heard some encouraging news over on a Brand X board about how things work at Exeter: apparently there a major element for forming a student's social network is what extracurricular activities each student participates in. There are some activities there that my son would like very much, if he is admitted. </p>
<p>Best wishes to your child as you decide what to do for next school year.</p>
<p>Our kid went despite our active apprehensions. Based on my experience, kids who want to go there by own wishes will thrive and they will find opportunities to grow beyond what is available in a regular high school. However, if you or kid does not want to do so, the regular high school offers opportunities, which one can avail too. </p>
<p>Minority applicant including URMs also thrives in prep school as long as kids want to take it to the next level. </p>
<p>Teaxs:
Your kid will be very happy. Exeter/Deerfield/Andover/Choate and other are very good schools. Good luck to him.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great info! The holidays are upon us all and afterwards, we will go on a mission trips to check out some of the schools noted.
Happy Holidays one and all!</p>
<p>Andover, Exeter, Deerfied (if he likes sports), Taft, Lawrenceville, St. Andrews but I think it is still all boys. Seriously look not just at Sidwell Friends (though it's a great school) but all the DC private schools if you want him to live at home. I went to a top private day school (not in DC) and our school did as well as the boarding schools at getting kids into college. It depends on if he is going for the education (in which a day school is fine) or if he wants the boarding school experience.</p>
<p>What do you mean "...Deerfield (if he likes sports)" ?! Do you think Andover and Exeter are not fielding some highly competitive teams? Think again! And, your remark implies that academics at Deerfield are not quite up there. Let me assure you, they are rigorous and extremely demanding.</p>