I love my school and I know that you (yes, you!) would love it, too! So, my friends and I got together and made a list of reasons why you should go to Loomis:
SNUG cookies are amazing. 'Nuff said.
There is no better fun to be had than walking downtown with your friends and getting hot chocolate at the Bean.
Hockey games include the entire school attending and yes, they get quite rowdy.
Mandatory study hall means EVERYTHING gets done in a pretty quick fashion. EVERYONE (Yes, seniors and PGs alike) has study hall from 7:45-9:45. It’s really, really, REALLY helpful.
Teachers are also like your parents and your friends. I talk to my advisor from everything to boy problems to getting help with science homework.
Seriously, check out the Meadows (Our fields on the eastern side of campus) It looks like Julie Andrews should be prancing around singing about how the “Hills are Alive”
There is no typical “Loomis kid” I mean, of course there are kids that are similar, but my best friend group includes girls from all across the country and world. You’re probably thinking “Man, EVERY prep school is like that!” But hey, the cliques just aren’t here at Loomis.
Walking the Loop with your friends and just talking and listening to music makes for a magical night.
Oh my Gosh, night hikes with Mr. Gwyn. You get torches to light the path as you tell scary stories and just hang out. You feel like Indiana Jones.
The workjob program. “But HistoryGeek!” you cry, “A JOB!? At school!? Thanks, but no thanks.” Ahem, first of all, don’t be so surprised! Second of all, there is no better program that emphasizes hard work and giving back to the LC community. You will find that it’s a very rewarding experience to look at a clean classroom and know that YOU made it so that your peers can work in a clean space. Frankly, it’s awesome.
Oh my Gosh, the Bookstore. Half of the clothes in my closet now have some variation of “Loomis Chaffee” on them.
It is very rare to find a student that dislikes Loomis and if someone doesn’t find our school to be to their taste, they are very frequently questioned by their peers. Practically everyone has “Loomis Chaffee '19/'18/'17/'16” in their Instagram bios. Our school pride is unreal.
The QRC (Quantitative Reasoning Center) is a Godsend. Need help with math during the day? There is literally ALWAYS someone on duty to help you tackle that one problem you don’t understand. Need help with math at night? Boom, QRC is there for ya.
You will find that, like all prep schools, it is a LOT of hardwork to stay on top of your work. However, the rewarding feeling of an improving grade or knowing how proud your advisor is of you is one of the most amazing experiences. You have an endless supply of people who want to help you!
When you go to bed at night in your room, you will find yourself exhausted, happy, and ready to take on the new school day as a challenge you can conquer. I look forward to each day at Loomis because I know that each day is another opportunity to give back and educate myself further.
Actually, at Loomis, your lights need to be out and you’re in bed. The wifi turns off around 11:00 despite my having a lights out time of 10:45. However, hotspot can be your friend and if you need to do late homework, you are able to usually. Late lights is awesome too because you can stay up in the common room past lights out. But late lights can be a pain because you only get 45 minutes on average.
Back in the prehistoric era when I was applying to BS, I chose to apply to Loomis (along with PA and PEA) because I was truly impressed with both the school and the tour guide. I didn’t go there, but I know I would have been truly happy there if I did. Awesome place!
Love your list and your school spirit! Loomis wasn’t on my radar when we applied to schools this year (only looked in MA and RI) but it sounds wonderful!
This is an awesome thread. @HistoryGeek40, your enthusiasm is contagious. My son is in 7th grade and just starting to look at boarding schools. Loomis was already on his list. I’m looking forward to showing him this list you and your friends wrote. Thank you!
It is really important to get a lot of sleep as the days are really long. Yes, you can ask for extended lights out, but you should really try to maximize your daytime study halls. Loomis teaches you how to be organized.
You can work with your laptop with hotspot while light is turned off, if it has to be. My daughter (in a different school) did this in the first 2~3 weeks until she got used to work faster.
@SculptorDad However, the faculty and prefects alike will frequently scan the Wifi list and if your hotspot is on… we know you’re up… and THAT is definitely a “Gotcha!” moment for all parties involved. For freshmen and sophomores, if you REALLY can’t finish all your work, there’s usually a need to discuss better studying skills.
@HistoryGeek40 You are right. Fortunately it’s all good for her now. The first few weeks are hard for many students, probably including those at Loomis, until learn “to be organized.”
Saw this thread and had to comment: my freshman year at Loomis was almost 20 years ago (!) and I have to say that this list was just as applicable then (albeit mine was slightly different as a day student). I adored my time at Loomis and know that it played a key role in my success in life. I went for the same reasons many have mentioned (rigorous academics but a really non-cliquey, welcoming environment), and I am overjoyed to hear that nothing has changed.
