Taft School student, ask me anything

<p>I just created my account for this site (college process imminent) and figured I'd start this thread, seeing as there's a fair amount of interest in Taft and its sister-schools (Hotchkiss, Choate, Kent, etc).</p>

<p>I'm entering junior year, and have had a good experience so far. I went all-out when applying to prep school (choice was between here, Deerfield or Choate) and therefore have a good perspective. </p>

<p>I run cross country, wrestle, and row; I am active in various clubs; I have done multiple arts courses; and I have completed four honors courses to date. </p>

<p>I'm not some shameless promoter, either. Anyways, if there's any questions I'll be around. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Hey!! I’m so glad you created this thread! I have a few questions:

  1. How diverse would you say the student and faculty population is (race, socio-economic status, etc…)?
  2. How preppy is the overall atmosphere at Taft?
  3. How is the transition, both socially and academically, for new sophomores at Taft?
  4. Do you feel there is a socio-economic divide at Taft?
  5. How would you describe the community at Taft? Particularly, what are the relationships between faculty and students like?</p>

<p>vanillacream – </p>

<p>1) How diverse would you say the student and faculty population is (race, socio-economic status, etc…)?</p>

<p>-- The student body is very diverse. There are some obscure countries that send single students here (like Bulgaria or Nigeria) and then the more heavily represented countries: Korea, Canada, China, etc. Socio-economic background varies quite heavily. Of course, it’s a prep school, so there are some really elite, ultra-wealthy kids, but sometimes you can’t identify them independent of someone telling you. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are very poor inner-city kids who come from impoverished family. Overall, however, it’s important to understand that nobody really talks about money that much here. There’s a lot more interesting things going on. </p>

<p>2) How preppy is the overall atmosphere at Taft?</p>

<p>-- Not overwhelming. I come from a family somewhere in between lower/middle class; my dad is actually unemployed. This, however, has not been detrimental to my experience at Taft. We don’t have jacket/tie which may reduce that “preppy” atmosphere. There are definitely the bubbly blonde girls from NJ or the white malds from NY who like to party. But hey, if they’re not your type of person then no big deal, just avoid them. Sometime they can be annoying, I suppose. </p>

<p>3) How is the transition, both socially and academically, for new sophomores at Taft?</p>

<p>-- Lots of new sophomores at Taft every year, the majority seem to assimilate quite well. The first week at Taft will be disorienting regardless of what grade you enter in, but if you can get through that you will be fine. Academically, they may be behind in science (Taft usually makes new sophomores take some level of Physics, while returning sophomores will go into chemistry) but none of that will matter by senior year. </p>

<p>4) Do you feel there is a socio-economic divide at Taft?</p>

<p>-- Nope. I feel like you are worried about what kind of role money plays at Taft. Something like 40% of our students are on financial aid. But once again, none of that matters. Are you a likable person? That’s really all that will count. Maybe like the furthest extent of a “socio-economic divide” would be the kids who go to Aspen during winter break, and then those who can’t afford it. But one you’re back at Taft those two groups of kids will be chilling in the same dorm together. </p>

<p>5) How would you describe the community at Taft? Particularly, what are the relationships between faculty and students like?</p>

<p>-- Great community, small enough that you’ll know the name of everyone in your class. I’ve had a great time with the faculty. My advisor is also my cross country coach and english teacher, and he is often in his office and lives on campus (as does like 80% of the faculty). He’s been great in helping me out. Kids often get lunch with their advisor (who you get to choose on a yearly basis). Besides advisors, students and faculty talk in hallways, and are always around for extra help (every teacher has their own office) . I’l even see the headmaster talking with groups of students in the hallways.</p>

<p>Thanks for your answers. In regards to the “money questions”, I have been told by some that Taft is sort of a place for the rich and white so I just wanted to hear if that truly was the case and it doesn’t seem to be after all.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>clearly from other posts on this board that myth was put to bed eons ago. If you only look at “surface” issues, then every school looks rich and white. Only that “rich” kid you think is rich might be a middle class kid from a rural area. Or a full scholarship kid.</p>

<p>Taft is very diverse - even their photos on the site show diversity. But with a screen name like “vanillacream” why is this even an issue? :(</p>

<p>So to avoid having this thread be hijacked by this topic: Taft is mostly white, they are not all rich, and the ones who are aren’t necessarily pretentious although some are. If you can’t handle that then I wouldn’t recommend any boarding school. (minority groups are also heavily represented).</p>

<p>@ExieMITAlum- I’m sorry but I have not been on this forum long enough to have seen this myth debunked and all I wanted to do was find the answer for myself and from a current user. And also, since you mentioned the “surface”, I’d like you to know say that my username “vanillacream” has no relation to my race. I am a student of color (but it actually was quite interesting to see that you associated race with my username so thanks for that observation).</p>

<p>ExieMITAlum, there’s nothing wrong with looking for diversity in a school. I’m white and won’t be on any financial aid, but I would like to know that there will be all kinds of people around me. The username comment was a bit unnecessary too.</p>

<p>Sorry for intruding on your thread Taftie! I just saw that and wanted to back up vanillacream. Here, I’ll ask a helpful question. I’m not looking into Taft, but I remember being curious about it when I was going through the process and am sure someone must be wondering as well. What set Taft apart from the other school and eventually got you hooked enough to choose it over your other options?</p>

<p>Each school had its own appeal to me. I knew that Choate had a good reputation, as did Deerfield, and both schools had excellent rowing programs, something I was drawn to. I spent hours on [Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com%5DBoarding”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com) looking at each school’s stats. On paper, they all seemed about equal to me – huge endowments, Ivy League matriculations, you know. However, I wasn’t making my decision that way. I knew that choosing a school based on prestige – the wish to say “I go to X prep school” – was the wrong approach. </p>

<p>Taft stood out to me because a.) The size was ideal (sub-600 kids) and b.) the campus had a great feel to it. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Taft, but the buildings are all uniform – slate roof, red brick, about 4 stories tall. It is a great academic setting and I could see myself thriving there. </p>

<p>After the revisit days, my choice was clearer. The student body seemed really lively, the faculty was very integrated with the students and engaged in the classrooms… plus the coaches I met were great (on Taft’s crew this year, me and my boat beat Choate’s 1st boat and Deerfield’s 2nd boat, so Crew proved to be great at Taft, as well!). The faculty approached me at Taft, and the kid I was shadowing seemed to know everyone’s name. The food was great, to reiterate the campus was beautiful, and the coaches were welcoming. After that day I knew I wanted to go. </p>

<p>Choate’s student body was more distant, plus the campus was really spread out. There was something off-putting about Deerfield, as well. Talking with the other revisit kids they seemed to have had negative interactions with some of the students, and I kind of noticed that the student body was a little dismal? Hard to put my finger on. </p>

<p>There were other things at play, like Deerfield being known for perhaps overwhelming preppiness and everyone I knew who went to Choate almost systematically turning into an a**hole (not to generalize). </p>

<p>It may sound like I am preaching about how great Taft is. To keep things in check, I’ll admit that Choate has a much more well organized debate program than Taft does. We didn’t have a coach for the first 2 weeks this year…</p>

<p>Wow, great thought-out answer Taftie. I learned a lot. Thanks for your thoughts and comparisons from your perspective. Very helpful.</p>

<p>I’m going to end my comments with this one - but need to address the issue of the “rich and white” comment - because it was, frankly, uninformed and rude to existing parents and students and suggest perhaps Taft isn’t a good fit for the person who asked the question.</p>

<p>@Vanillacream. I think it is okay to ask about diversity. What isn’t okay is suggesting that a school is

. </p>

<p>First - I’m a person of color and a Taft parent. Even if you had not read any of the posts on this thread (using the search engine with the key word “TAFT”) looking at the website, the Youtube videos, or the viewbook would have given the impression that Taft is any more or any less “white” than other boarding schools. </p>

<p>Getting into boarding school is very hard. The Adcoms are astute at vetting students for intent but also ability to digest and process information before applying to a school. So I wasn’t being rude - but if you post under the name “Vanilla Cream” then suggest you thought a school was rich and white - perception about your intent can often be reality and will inform the responses you will get. You could have said “I’m a minority looking for a school that values diversity” Or “I’m looking for a school where there is a good mix of diversity.” Either are less volatile ways of framing the question.</p>

<p>I would note that students and parents alike also have been prolific at referring new posters to Boarding School Review which does a reasonably good job of giving general statistics. But so do each school’s FAQ’s.</p>

<p>[About</a> Taft - Taft Facts](<a href=“http://www.taftschool.org/about/taft_facts.aspx]About”>http://www.taftschool.org/about/taft_facts.aspx)</p>

<p>and discussion of FA (37% of student body)</p>

<p>[Taft</a> Admissions - Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.taftschool.org/admissions/financial_aid.aspx]Taft”>http://www.taftschool.org/admissions/financial_aid.aspx)</p>

<p>I reiterate my suggestion that you search the threads. There are countless links to videos, parent discussions, and other topics addressing and debunking your impression. Best wishes on your search.</p>

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<p>You left out a significant portion of the quote. Vanillacream was voicing the suspicions around him/her and came here to have them disproved. That’s it. He/she didn’t assert that himself/herself, rather came searching for answers.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for your answer Taftie. I enjoy seeing how others came to the decision and comparing my own observances.</p>

<p>Hi, I know that this discussion is kinda old, but can the creator still respond? If he can, I have a few questions to ask.</p>