<p>DA admits that 620 is its target number. And the trustees agree. They were over-enrolled last year and closer to 660, I believe. The school admits that they decreasing their acceptance to get closer to their focus.</p>
<p>T’Parent is on target. After our fathers won WWII, the world was pretty much ours. But what the fathers won, the sons have lost. We were the great creditor nation; we are now the great debtor nation. Pitiful. </p>
<p>How did this happen? There are a host of theories, but Prof. Paul Kennedy said a modern empire can hold its empire only if it keeps in balance two things: its arms and its money. Well, the US is now badly out of balance. We have way too many guns and very little money. So the American Empire will fall, like all emipres before it, unless we drastically and quickly shrink our commitment to weapons and/or decrease our debts. Because time and leadership are not, and have not been, on our side, prepare for the fall and then hope that our children are wiser, smarter and better than their parents in building or finding paradise when comes the fall.</p>
<p>“There is nothing a parent can do right now for a child better than “training” them to be well educated, nimble of mind, tough, resourceful and independent.” ThacherParent- wow, you articulated so well everything that I appreciate about the boarding school experience. Now at at top 20 research university, my child feels light years ahead of some the other freshmen in terms of navigating the way through the ups and downs of school. From negotiating with a roommate, solving maintenance issues with residential life, study skills, life skills (laundry!), networking with other New England boarding school kids (some are former rivals!) finding a great work study job- boarding school paved the way for a very easy transition to college life, and hopefully, real life.</p>
<p>For me personally, DA, SPS and Taft are my top schools and they are all on par academically. I repeat TAFT is as rigorous as DA and SPS. People do not undermine Taft.</p>
<p>It’s hilarious to see this (too much of a) BS bubble on this forum. You all seem to feel like the world is run by and because of boarding school grads. Only problem is there is no data to back up your claims. Only a tiny fraction of students ever go to boarding schools. The world is still run by and majority of accomplishments are accomplished by the public school kids. What a perfect example of a bubble, parents feeling that by shipping their kids to BS, a nifty product comes out. Very nice! It’s time to admit that there is more than one (BS) way to succeed, which is actually the case. :D</p>
<p>Did I.Q.'s just suddenly drop, Pulsar? A “BS bubble” on the boarding school discussion group surprises you? Tell me how your revelation that the “majority of accomplishments are accomplished by the public school kids” in any way negates any argument being made on this thread. Read better, write less.</p>
<p>Honestly I just try to ignore pulsar’s posts.</p>
<p>I respect him/her for bringing up some of the conversations about the negatives of boarding school. Some prospective students need this dose of reality that boarding schools aren’t perfect but at times it seems a little much. Almost every post is something negative about boarding schools. If you dislike boarding schools as much as it appears, I suggest you stay at your public school and try not to post on a board for prospective students, parents, and current students.</p>
<p>Parlabane, This is my understanding of the bubble I see here on CC. A naive new comer to CC will come and read these posts of one of the moms saying my dear D is doing great at such and such BS, will be drawn into the bubble thinking that that is the only way to succeed. Unfortunately, what the newcomers may not realize is that most people that are posting these posts have kids already in BS with a vested interest. They also don’t realize that only less than 30% of BS kids go to good colleges. But what about the rest of 70% kids that don’t make it in and have spent a ton of money? Take for example the statements by many parents that my kid matured so much at BS. Heck, have you met mature public high school kids? It’s the age stupid, not BS. BS parents leave 14 year olds at BS and at 16 say look my s/d is so mature. He or She would mature at 16 even if left on an island in Tahiti. Such are the repeated posts with no disclaimers that do disservice to newcomers. Initially I was drawn into this bubble, but when I put 2+2 together, I started seeing the big picture.</p>
<p>Pulsar, there are many reasons people send their kids to boarding school. If you are so against it why are you here?</p>
<p>Try a search for “Pulsar2014”. Hmmmm…</p>
<p>Devon, Well I was originally doing this BS vs. PS research. Armed with that research, I am able to dispell some of the myths here on CC at least once in a while. It’s very funny though how people here pat on each other’s backs so much so that it is turning into a chit chat of chums, rather than a genuine discussion of pros and cons.</p>
<p>@pulsar: Boarding schools aren’t just about college. They offer so much more than that. And it really depends on your definition of a “good” college. If your main reason to go to a boarding school is to have a better shot at the Ivys, you might as well just stay at your local public school and strive to be val or sal. </p>
<p>and I second Devon.</p>
<p>This is my last post on this topic, don’t want to get into a big argument.</p>
<p>luluandleo, Welcome aboard. Two posts since Nov 2009. Great contributions. Keep them going. :D</p>
<p>Did I touch a nerve, Pulsar?</p>
<p>Pulsar,</p>
<p>Your whining is always amusing. I most love the comment that only 30% of the students go to good colleges. I’m sure the colleges that took the “other” 70% don’t agree with you. Last I looked, all of the colleges on the matriculation lists are pretty good.</p>
<p>Perhaps not everyone wants what YOU want. And at this rate I predict you won’t be getting it either. But thanks for playing Jeopardy. We’ve got some nice consolations prizes for you.</p>
<p>Exie, That’s exactly what I’m talking about, it’s bubbletalk, and you are in it. lol. If you think the other 70% don’t agree with me, talk to those going to all the 2nd and 3rd tier colleges.</p>
<p>Lulu, It’s only your 3rd post, what nerve are you talking about? Nerve to post your 4th post, lol.</p>
<p>Just observing that Pulsar2014 stopped whining about desperately trying to get off boarding school waiting lists just before you started whining about how overrated boarding schools are. Sour grapes?</p>
<p>Pulsar aside, Taft is not on par with the likes of Choate, Deerfield, Exeter, Andover and SPS. And wishing it doesn’t make it so.</p>
<p>I’ve had parents tell me here crudely that nothing is on par with Exeter and Andover, so just a little payback. Yes, I know “fit” blah blah makes any school a better school, but Taft does not have the reputation of the HADES schools, so don’t shoot the messenger.</p>
<p>Taft is not in the same league. That’s why it’s name is not in the acronym HADES.</p>
<p>Lulu, Keep it going. It is refreshing to see your posts increase exponentially. :D</p>
<p>If you give someone enough rope…</p>
<p>What’s exponential about 1,2,3,4 ?</p>