Hello! I’m sort of new to the top prep school community, and there is a lot I don’t know about many prep schools. So, here’s my request: post a short (1-3 sentence) description of various prep schools. Almost talk about the school in a stereotypical way, as in what the school is most known for; e.g. Exeter’s math and science programs (maybe?).
I know that schools are obviously much more than just a few short sentences, but this could be helpful for students (including me) who are looking for a specific school, and want to quickly rule out schools that are clearly not for them.
Grubby
Lousy
Average
Dingy
Crappy
Harebrained
Expensive
Mediocre
Meh
Sucky
Is that what you were looking for?
NOTE: THE ABOVE “ACRONYM” IS A JOKE AND NOT INTENDED TO REFLECT POORLY ON ANY SCHOOL COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH WHATEVER ACRONYM YOU CHOOSE TO WORSHIP.
To the OP: All kidding aside, do your homework. Use the search tool. Find threads about the schools that interest you based on visiting their websites. You know, like so many applicants before you have done.
Or how’s this for a novel idea? Start a thread that asks “I’m a [what type of student you are] looking for [whatever makes you think you want a “specific school” as mentioned above]…can anyone recommend schools that might fit the bill?” Then PM with people associated with various schools the come up.
Think I’m wrong? How many people have chimed in on this thread since you posted it?
Does anyone know the old song L-O-V-E? I just had it pop into my head and if I had a little more time and a lot more talent, I would have written an acronym song to its tune.
@flavor
Each of the schools in SHADE (just getting ready for the movie) and GLADCHEMMS are
multifaceted highly respected institutions that many here or their children have attended
very hard to distill in to a sentence or two….and if one could, might well prompt spirited and good natured competition and comment
My best advice is go visit one of them, look around, talk to students, take a tour and see what you think. I suspect you would have difficulty describing it in a sentence or two to someone who has never visited
And, incidentally, Exeter is more than math and science, nor is it the only excellent math and science school in the bunch!
Didn’t mean to deeply anger some of you, my sincerest apologies
I just thought this might be a fun idea, not a super serious resource that students should hinge their decisions on. Sorry if you took it the wrong way! If this is supposed to be the Cafe or something, by all means, tell me or move it.
No problem, but please note, that College Confidential is a resource and does not exist to do the work for you. You are the one that will be spending the greater part of 4 years on a particular campus, so it would behoove you to do the research to find one (or several) that fits your needs.
We will be happy to entertain more specific questions like @SevenDad mentioned above, or other questions like, "In looking at the website (or reading messages here) I get the impression that XYZ school is very preppy/artsy/snobby/etc. Is that accurate from your experience?
@skieurope I mean sure. This wasn’t really a resource thing, especially for myself. I’ve already applied to my schools and done my research, I couldn’t care less! Perhaps you didn’t realize.
@BrunetteMom: Haha, I always just read HADES schools are just that, HADES. Didn’t really think much of it until now, when I realized that it was an acronym, rather than just an overall term
HADES and GLADCHEMMS are acronyms that are never used outside CC Prep School Admissions. It’s all a little pedestrian to be quite honest. The inference that these schools ( CHERRY PICKED BY SOME KID ) are somehow superior is just a little bit insulting - not to mention just a tad insufferable. And- I’m the mother of two HADES/GLADCHEMMS grads!
OP- No one is deeply angry- we were just razzing you a little bit. If these schools are YOUR Top schools and you want to discuss them- carry on and have fun! Just know that in the real world of BS, it’s a much more level playing field than these “Top School” threads suggest. There’s really no difference between schools like SAS and Andover or Berkshire and Groton or Kent and Choate… and so on.
Population and cultural differences- Yes. Everything else- Not really.
Remember: " Highly Selective " doesn’t always = Higher Quality. Sometimes it just means a school should cut a bigger check to the guy in the Marketing Department. GO Big Blue!
