<p>Hey!</p>
<p>So, instead of asking you all which schools are your top choice, I think I'll settle with, "What did you like/dislike about XYZ school?"</p>
<p>:) I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts!</p>
<p>At Exeter I love LOVE the Harkness Table.
At Andover I really like their debate society and dance studios.</p>
<p>I’m about as on the fence as possible.</p>
<p>Exeter was so busy and impersonal. It used to be my dream school.</p>
<p>^ Exeter used to be a top-priority school for me as well, until I saw the school. It felt too cold, and intimidated me (I’m more partial to a smaller, more intimate setting.)</p>
<p>You guys are almost my complete opposite.
I’m BORED of being stuck here in my 150 person school.
I guess your impression of the school really depends on the day you visit. I’m sure the atmosphere would be different if you visited on a bleary, blustery Monday than if you visited on a clear Friday.
I liked Exeter a lot, mainly because of Harkness pedagogy and the encouragement but not REQUIREMENT of community service.
I like Lawrenceville equally as much, also because of Harkness and also because of the house system. No, this has nothing to do with my reverence for the way the Hogwarts school system was set up; :D</p>
<p>I visited on a beautiful 75~ degree day with a slight breeze. It still did not put off the rough atmosphere. Though I disagree with wanting a small community. I like SPS’s size. Andover is equally as big to Exeter and I preferred Andover. It was big, manageable, and relatable.</p>
<p>Purpleswirl, I would love to be at your school! I love getting to know everyone, because the conversations get richer since you know all the person’s quirks, IMO. That’s why I loved Choate, Hotchkiss, and Taft (which, if I haven’t told you already, I dub “Hogwarts.”)</p>
<p>But Andover made a substantial impression on me as well, considering that it had 1100+ students. I have to agree with PxAlaska; Andover did seem to be very harmonious and manageable, considering the amount of students!</p>
<p>SPS: Love the size and the fact that it’s 100% boarding. I feel like it allows you to get to know everyone. Especially love the fact that it’s in the capital and that they completely encourage community service. Love the fitness center. Has its own charm with the street names, it’s like a small town within Concord.
Hill: Once again love the size and the fact that everyone has to board at least one year. Like the longstanding traditions and kind of old school atmosphere. Really enjoy the support system that they seem have. Reminiscent of one big family.
Andover: Even though its a bigger school, it reminds me of my current high school. Love more relaxed dress code and the course offerings and just the overall feel of the campus and town. Campus is beautiful in the summer.
Hotchkiss: Even though it’s a more rural location, it’s a beautiful campus, but really feels like it’s a small town within the town itself. Love the availability for sports(thirds, jv, varsity and club) and opportunities for student involvement like the radio station. Also love the practice rooms</p>
<p>Why not bring this back?</p>
<p>SPS: Beautiful campus, amazing math/science building, 100% boarding, strong sense of community, friendly people, community service opportunities</p>
<p>Exeter: Town integration, 100% Harkness, I actually like the dress code, extensive course selection, amount of clubs and community service</p>
<p>Loomis: Strong emphasis of writing, strong dorm tradition, compact campus layout, proximity to cities, malls, restaurants </p>
<p>Just curious, which schools DON’T have Harkness? We saw it everywhere, including NYC day schools.</p>
<p>Exeter is (as far as I know) the only school that uses Harkness in every subject. </p>
<p>Also, many schools have discussion-based classes that are not Harkness because there is hand-raising. </p>
<p>We did not get to make an on site visit to any schools before applying.</p>
<p>Andover has been very impersonal. If D gets in, we will, but we are not optimistic. It has been a very impersonal process and no one has reached out to get to know her. Did do an alumni interview and that went quite well but nervous that the school seems otherwise impersonal.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss has been welcoming and continue to reach out to D. She already feels she belongs there.</p>
<p>SPS has been aloof and distant. Skype interview early one went well but that is the last and only personal contact there has been. </p>
<p>Have others heard from schools besides formal interview and acknowledging receipt of applications?</p>
<p>Lawrenceville’s house system is so awesome.</p>
<p>As for Harkness, I don’t think it’s practical to have it for EVERY class. I really like that system though.</p>
<p>Middlesex has a great English department, beautiful town (Concord, MA), amazing facilities and a smaller student body without sacrificing quality of education. During my campus visit and interview, I felt so comfortable (something I did not feel at other schools) and almost ‘at home’ (too far?). Middlesex’s art facilities were great as well, but what really sold me was the English and the sort of home-y feel of it. The dress code is more relaxed from what I saw students wearing during classes. My dad has a friend who has a son as a freshman, and they came down to visit us for a few days, and he gave me insight of what does on as a student. </p>
<p>I think it’s safe to say I’m as close to in love as I will ever be. </p>