<p>Could somebody please give me an idea of what life in these schools are like, in terms of building structures, academic pressure/quality, ease of making friends, dorm life, extra-curriculars, food, etc.? ANY aspect. I DID do some research on these schools, visiting their websites and requesting viewbooks. However, I thought it would be nice if I could hear from some personal experience of some students from these schools. Though I would love to, I cannot arrange a visit because I'm an international student.</p>
<p>For guys/girls who are currently attending these schools, what do you think makes the school so special to you, that made you choose it? </p>
<p>Also, what's a great place to find out more about schools, besides their official websites, which, in my opinion, are slightly biased (excuse me for not finding a better word) in terms of info, whereas what I need is an objective view on them.</p>
<p>Also, I'm not really an athletic guy (but I'm more than enthusiastic to participate in sports if required, I just kinda suck at it), so are sports a real press in these schools? And how about the interviewers? I'm quite a shy guy so I'll dread it if the interviewers aren't so friendly haha.</p>
<p>Any help is appreciated, thanks! :D</p>
<p>Ok I’ll bite. I’ll give you one word evaluations that others can then validate or critque, but they’ll at lest give you an idea of how the institutions differ.</p>
<p>PEA: intense
Taft: rah rah
Loomis: low key
SAS: traditional</p>
<p>I can only really comment on St. Andrew’s, where our daughter is currently in the 3rd form.</p>
<p>BUILDING STRUCTURES:
Founders Hall is the main school building and was started in 1929. Crafted in stone, it feels very old-school “prep”.</p>
<p>It’s in the background of these clips from the West Wing:
[Mrs</a> Landingham gives young Bartlett numbers West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube](<a href=“Mrs Landingham gives young Bartlett numbers West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube”>Mrs Landingham gives young Bartlett numbers West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube)
[Young</a> Jed meets Delores Landingham West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube](<a href=“Young Jed meets Delores Landingham West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube”>Young Jed meets Delores Landingham West Wing S2 E 22 Two Cathedrals - YouTube)</p>
<p>And, of course, Dead Poets Society was shot there:
[Dead</a> Poets Society Part 1 - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>That is the dining hall and the chapel you see in the procession.</p>
<p>There are more modern buildings for the science classes, arts classes/performances, and of course, the brand new Siprelle field house (athletic center). The dorms (I can only comment on my daughter’s) are perhaps the least impressive buildings on campus, and the rooms are fairly small but serviceable. IMO, St. Andrew’s showed among the least “deferred maintenance” of any campus we visited last year. I happen to like the compact size of the academic/residential part of campus (the acreage of the greater campus is massive)…and having Noxontown Pond right there is pretty special.</p>
<p>ACADEMICS:
My daughter a is fairly high-achieving, intellectually curious student, and she is totally satisfied with the rigor and quality of the teaching so far. She placed into some higher math and language courses and is hardly “cruising”.</p>
<p>EASE OF MAKING FRIENDS:
Again, I can only comment from the POV of a parent, but it seems like my daughter has found a group of kids with whom she can relate. And I’m always charmed by the warm welcome she receives from dorm-mates when we drop her off.</p>
<p>DORM LIFE:
I think there’s definitely a settling-in period where roommates have to get a feel for each others schedules/habits/pet peeves…but that passes fairly quickly. My daughter likes the shared kitchen and probably uses it every weekend to make food or treats. Note that because there is no internet service in the student rooms, you can often find kids online in the common room…more often than not in small groups checking out videos or FB. SAS is also one of the few schools that are 100% boarding.</p>
<p>That’s all I have time to write, for now…</p>
<p>Thanks, SevenDad. I’ve been checking out some speeches by Tad Roach on youtube, he seems like a great headmaster. SAS looks like a great school. I’m having an interview with the school soon.</p>
<p>But no internet in student rooms? :(</p>
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<p>The interviewers are used to talking to all kinds of kids . . . including many who are shy and nervous when they interview. So you shouldn’t worry.</p>
<p>But, you are quite well-spoken . . . I think you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t find a way to bring that across in your interview. I don’t know what the cure is for shyness, but I’d suggest that, between now and the interview dates, you go out of your way to be friendly with the people you encounter in your day-to-day life. Just get used to saying “hello!” to people you don’t know . . . like the clerk at the grocery store or the teachers in your school whose names you don’t even know. I’m not sure how you can do it, but if you can get used to relaxing and being yourself around people you don’t know, that will help you immensely in your interview. </p>
<p>The interview isn’t a test - it’s just a chance for the interviewer to get to know you.</p>
<h1>EnemyoftheSun: Yeah, no internet in student rooms —*and no cell phone use in public spaces. My daughter doesn’t seem to mind and my wife and I applaud these policies. Aren’t you glad you are not our child now? ;-)</h1>
<p>My interview with St.Andrews was alright. My interviewer was very friendly and I did not feel pressured at all, but I did have trouble with umm-ing and articulating my ideas :(. Do interviews count for a lot?</p>
<p>EnemyOfTheSun- Yes, they do. They are you’re chance to let your personality shine and show your individuality. They aren’t going to not accept you because you say Um a lot.</p>
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<p>Why the long face, EnemyOfTheSun? What azpandaman meant is that you’re going to be fine - your “umm’s” aren’t going to keep you from being admitted!</p>
<p>They realize that most kids have never done an interview and are nervous because it’s a crucial part of the admission process. I’ve found that the interviews where I was the least nervous were the interviews where I didn’t prepare at all for the questions. When I don’t prepare, I don’t freak out that I didn’t say all that I wanted to say or that I said something wrong.</p>