School List for Next Year and Summer Interviews

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>Hey, everyone, I'm back. I have decided to reapply to prep schools next year. I'm still not sure if I'll go if I get in, but I think I should go through the application process again. My parents are beginning to make summer plans, and I need to have my school list ready so we can schedule my summer interviews. Alright, here's my list off the top of my head:
*= not sure if want to apply
-Andover
-St. Paul's *
-Groton *
-Deerfield
-Middlesex *
-Hotchkiss
-Kent *
-NMH *
-Berkshire *
-St. Mark's
-Taft *
-Tabor *
-Governor's *
-Lawrenceville (if my parents let me, I'd apply here in an instant)</p>

<p>The schools without an asterisk next to them, I'm definitely applying to. Those are, Andover, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, and St. Mark's. I want to apply to 7-10 schools, so I'm going to have to cut some schools with asterisks next to them. That leaves me with some tough choices.</p>

<p>The only reason I'm not sure if I want to apply to Groton and SPS is that I heard that it's near impossible to get in for tenth grade at these schools. Does anyone know Groton and SPS acceptance rates for tenth grade?</p>

<p>Now, I need some help and advice from CC.</p>

<p>-First, what are your opinions of my list? I need to cut out a good number of schools. Which schools would you cut out and why? Out of these potential schools, which ones are known for having a good sized tenth grade class, and have a good FA program?
-Second, which of these schools have summer interviews? I want to interview as much as possible over the summer, because next fall is going to be really hectic.
-For the CT schools, how would you suggest I tour/interview at these schools? (Assuming they're all still on my list when this is done.) Any good hotels in CT you can suggest?
-Third, how many applications is "manageable?" I'm aiming to apply to 7-10 schools, and I'm wondering if that is reasonable with homework, sports, music, etc.</p>

<p>Any other advice/comments would be appreciated. Thanks for reading this.</p>

2

<p>@ifax108, what have you heard about SPS admissions for 10th grade? I will hopefully be applying in the fall for 10th grade and I have heard that the admissions process can go both ways for those applying to 10th grade, but I have mostly heard that it is about the same. However, I have never heard SPS come up for being hard to get into for 10th grade.</p>

3

<p>I think u should also apply to Exeter :)</p>

4

<p>this year, getting in as a new sophomore was really competitive at SPS (my interviewer told me so). however, this doesnt translate over to next year – if they’re overenrolled for incoming 9th graders this year, THEN you’ll have a hard time. but you can’t really know that yet, can you ? </p>

<p>kent has a fantastic FA program. some kids chose kent over A/E because kent gave them a better FA package… also, compared to peer schools, their endowment to FA budget ratio is superb. </p>

<p>NMH’s FA isn’t that great from what i’ve heard-- keep in mind this is speculation though and you should ultimately do your own research :)</p>

<p>ps, i think 7-10 schools is totally manageable. in fact, the work itself (per application) really isn’t so bad, considering lots of schools have similar prompts, but it’s just keeping track of each application that can be a little tricky-- and scheduling interviews, making sure they’ve received each document, which FA documents they need, etc. get a little notebook or spreadsheet to take care of that</p>

5

<p>Hi ifax! I too, am applying again this year, to apply to be a sophomore, so I’ll try to help you as best as I can.</p>

<p>First off, I’m not really sure about the acceptance rates for tenth grade at SPS and Groton. I know Groton has an eighth grade, and they accept most of their students for ninth grade, so I’m assuming it would be pretty difficult. However, don’t take my word for it. </p>

<p>Additionally, I think your list is pretty good. You’re not doing the whole HADES Kool-Aid thingamajig that I did. These schools are all pretty big (as in like being a big fish), so they probably do have pretty good FA. The only schools that are asterisked that I really have a good idea for, other than Groton and SPS is Taft. Taft is a really warm enviroment, but I did feel a slight preppiness to it. Not a lot, like Deerfield, and not any, like Andover, but a little. They have good FA, so you should try it out. Other than that, I think that the schools you should cut are schools that don’t have interesting programs to you.</p>

<p>Second, about summer interviews. my parents tried this, and it didn’t work. I know that Andover has summer interviews, but I doubt if other schools do. (Like I said again, my parents tried it, and it EPICALLY failed, since the schools we were applying to did not do summer interviews.)</p>

<p>Furthermore, I’m not really sure what you’re trying to ask when you talk about how to tour schools in CT. I can tell you when I applied last September, if we were in MA, we would tour to all the MA schools. Then we’d move to a CT hotel, and then tour to all the CT schools. try to condense it like that. (FYI, in the back of the viewbooks, it tells you where you can stay. Also, don’t stay in Hartford, CT.)</p>

<p>Third, I think the amount of applications manageable depends on your schedule. Last year, I applied to nine. I think I’ll try doing more this time. Something I also found is that for many of the schools, they ask similar questions for the essays. Try to fit your essay to many schools as possible.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Well, almost all the ones up there are schools that are really hard to get into. I noticed that most of the schools with asterisks are easier to get into (Governor’s, Tabor, NMH). I would suggest cutting like one school you’re positive you’ll apply to, in order to make sure there’s enough room for easier schools to get into. Remember, you want to apply to more easy schools than hard ones, because things don’t always work out. One that I promote regularly on this sight is Peddie, as it has rigorous academics which I think you’re looking for, but it also has a slightly higher acceptance rate (this year I heard around 15%). Hope it works out for you!</p>

7

<p>15%?! slightly higher acceptance rate than what-- harvard? LOL… wasn’t peddie’s acceptance rate like, 30% a couple years back? oh man… times have changed :s</p>

<p>OP, if you’re interested in lawrenceville you should take a look at peddie too, but if your parents won’t let you apply to l’ville because of geographic location, good luck with peddie :P</p>

8

<p>Well a couple years ago it was around 24%, and this year all the schools received a record number of applications, so their acceptance rates dropped significantly! But I just think you’d have a lot of options of where to go next year if you apply to easier schools. Many of the people that only apply to top schools don’t get in and have to repeat the process the next year. Don’t make that mistake!</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the responses. Its good to be back on CC.</p>

<p>@andoverhopefulX,
Exeter is the only school that I applied to last year that I’m cutting of my list. I’ve decided that Exeter isn’t a good “fit” for me, and looking back, the only reason I was so enthused about Exeter was because of my dynamite interview (which didn’t do much good in the end…)</p>

<p>@DiveAlive,
Thanks for the response. And I’ve heard the same about NMH’s Financial aid. One of my friends who was a really great applicant got WLed at NMH b/c of FA. I might cut NMH from my list. And good idea with the notebook! I didn’t use that this year, but I’ll try it next year. And btw, are you going to be applying again next year?</p>

<p>@cirlemidnight,
Since I live in MA, I can probably do most of the MA schools in a few days. But, my parents only want to drive me to CT once, so I want to find a way to tour all three of my CT schools (Hotchkiss, Taft, Kent) in one or two days. And thanks for the heads up about Hartford.</p>

<p>@laughalittle,
I plan on definitely applying to one school that has a higher acceptance rate as well as with ultra-selective schools. And, I’ll take a look at Peddie. However, my parents are really on the fence about NJ so I’m not expecting anything. </p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. Any other comments/suggestions?</p>

10

<p>About places to stay in CT, I stayed at the Wake Robin Inn and it was adorable. Also, they had candy, so that won me over =)
This is from the Hotchkiss Website on Places to stay: [The</a> Hotchkiss School - Visit Hotchkiss - Local Accommodations](<a href=“http://www.hotchkiss.org/visithotchkiss/local-accommodations/index.aspx]The”>http://www.hotchkiss.org/visithotchkiss/local-accommodations/index.aspx)
And Kent: [Kent</a> School - Admissions](<a href=“http://www.kent-school.edu/admissions/visit_accommodations.cfm]Kent”>http://www.kent-school.edu/admissions/visit_accommodations.cfm)
And Taft: <a href=“http://www.taftschool.org/admissions/pdf/area_lodgings.pdf[/url]”>http://www.taftschool.org/admissions/pdf/area_lodgings.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I’d suggest plugging some hotels that you like into google maps and find out which one is the most centralized to the schools you want to see.</p>

<p>What my Dad and I did to get around Connecticut was rent a car and go on a way too long roadtrip. But the scenery is gorgeous!</p>

<p>And a personal experience tip: Try to drive in the more rural areas during the day, because you can go miles without seeing a street sign</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

11

<p>@ifax,
i won’t be reapplying next year, since my parents won’t let me repeat a grade (i’m going to be a sophomore next year) and applying as a new junior is implausible for me.</p>

<p>however i’m looking into UWCs now and i recommend anyone who’s going into 10th grade next year to look into it as well, it looks like an incredible program :)</p>

12

<p>Why are they on the fence about NJ? Peddie is fairly safe, and they have 24 hour security.</p>

<p>Sent from my SPH-M920 using CC App</p>

13

<p>You’re not even considering Choate at all?</p>

14

<p>I know this might be a little personal, but I remember reading one of your posts and you saying that you don’t want to reapply to a BS again. What made you change your mind? I’m just curious, because I genuinely like to hear stories of why people choose BS.</p>

15

<p>Hey ifax :slight_smile: Welcome back. I think 7-10 apps definitely is manageable. I did 10 apps and it wasn’t TOO bad. It was pretty hectic, but if you start on your essays as soon as you can, it ends up not being a problem. Just curious, are you planning on doing on campus interviews? I honestly don’t know if it makes a difference, but you may want to consider it. Out of the 10 schools I applied to, I interviewed on campus for 4 of them and got accepted at 3 of those. I was waitlisted at all but one of the schools I interviewed off-campus for. So it MAY make a difference. Good luck, and just remember, don’t give up hope. Us FA applicants need to stick together :). I hope you succeed in all your endeavors. Once again, good luck.</p>

16

<p>First - I admire your determination and perseverance to re-apply, it really reflects well upon your character. As for your list - make sure you have more than 1 school with a higher acceptance rate. For the two schools that I thought I was a “shoo-in” for, I was waitlisted for admission at one and waitlisted for financial aid at the other.</p>

<p>I can only speak for the schools that I visited and researched extensively for myself. With this in mind I was really impressed with Berkshire. If you’re into science or math be sure to check it out. It’s programs are fabulous and a new science center is being constructed which will be set to open in the fall of 2012 I believe. The mountain program is one of a kind and if you are into the outdoors it’s a definite plus. The athletic facility was impressive from the outside (didn’t see the inside) - it pretty much looked like an airplane hangar. The small size (around 400 students) helps foster a strong sense of community in the school.</p>

<p>Taft was great as well. The school pretty much looks like a castle, in my opinion, which is a reason in itself to apply! :slight_smile: Its academics are extremely strong and course listings exhaustive. The people I met during my trip there in September were extremely nice and welcoming. The school is mid-sized at around 600 students which is like a perfect balance of small and large. It has the resources of a big school with the atmosphere comparable to one of the smaller schools. </p>

<p>St. Paul’s usually receives a lot of “air time” on this forum so I don’t feel like much is necessary to say. The one thing that I loved about SPS is the whole “freedom with responsibility” mentality. The students were some of the friendliest of all my tours. I had the opportunity to interview with the amazing director of admissions and the way she explained the school’s values and ideals was absolutely mind-boggling. There doesn’t seem to be an area in which the school doesn’t excel. A new science building is being built and should be completed sometime in the fall I believe. </p>

<p>One “hidden gem” that I found during my admissions season was Brooks. I didn’t see it on your list but thought that I would recommend it to you. Look on boarding school review and check out its website. It’s worth researching a bit.</p>

<p>In reality you can’t go wrong with any of the schools on your list. The only thing I would caution you is to definitely apply to a range of schools. You can’t predict anything in this admissions craze and it’s nice to maximize your chances for admission by not limiting yourself to the HADES/GLADCHEMMS schools. Also, be sure that you would be absolutely jubilant to attend any of the schools on your list. Don’t apply to a school unless you would seriously attend it. </p>

<p>Remember you can interview at schools and then not apply. It may be advantageous in your case to visit more than you would be willing to apply to and then cut your list down based on your impressions. Since you are starting earlier you can take advantage of summer interviews (at schools that offer them) and early interviews in September before your classes and activities get into full gear.</p>

<p>Applying to 7-10 schools is definitely manageable. It’s all about how you budget your time. Don’t wait until Christmas break to work on your essays. I know from personal experience that it’s not fun to be stressing out at the last minute on January 15th to submit an application… Oh and next year if you have any questions about St. Mark’s be sure to PM me and I’ll try and help. Good luck!!!</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post.</p>

17

<p>@martay0,
Thanks for the hotel suggestions. I’ll check them with my mom and see if they’re okay.</p>

<p>@DiveAlive,
UWC? I’ve never heard of them. What are they?</p>

<p>@laughalittle,
I live in MA, so my parents aren’t too comfortable with me spending 9 months a year in NJ. Give them time, hopefully by September I’ll have convinced them.</p>

<p>@circlemidnight,
The reason I chose to apply to BS is a little complicated. I already am in a really good situation. My current public HS seems great, and I think I’ll have some pretty great opportunities musically. I’m already singing with a choir I’ve sang with for a while, and I’m going to try to find some other music stuff. But, I’m choosing to reapply b/c if the opportunity to attend a prep schools arises, I’m not sure if that’s something I want to pass up. If I get in, I’m not sure if I’ll go b/c of my amazing current situation.</p>

<p>@markalex1,
Thanks for the response. Yes, I plan on interviewing on campus. And where are you going next year? I’ve been pretty out of it as far as CC goes.</p>

<p>@2010hopeful,
I’m not a math and science person, but I’ve decided I like Berkshire. It looks like a good place. And I should have applied to Taft this year. I love it when campuses look like castles. I’m definitely going to visit/interview there. And, SPS was one of my first choices. It’s just that I wasn’t one of there first choices. I was WLed lol. And are you going to St. Mark’s next year? I think I remember reading that you got in there. If you are, good luck and I’m glad that worked out for you. And I’ll try to send you a PM tomorrow or the next day about St. Mark’s. I’m too tired right now. Thanks for the long post though.</p>

18

<p>Have you considered Choate?</p>

19

<p>ifax, I’m going to Exeter next year. Can’t wait. It feels like such a long time until next year though… bleh.</p>

20

<p>DA is very generous with FA…that is where I will be attending in the fall!!! 7-10 schools?? That seems like a lot but maybe thats just me. I only applied to 4 schools from HADES and that was it. But I do recommend taking a look at Loomis Chaffee if you are looking for a school with a higher acceptance rate because they are great academically and have an acceptance rate of about 30%! That’s where my friend is going!</p>