<p>Yes, I know what all you loverlies are going to say-- prestige is not everything, find the school that fits you, matriculation is still stellar in smaller schools-- and I completely agree. I don't think that prestige is anything, or much at all, but right now, in this thread, I'm asking what people PERCEIVE to be the best, most prestigious, bs. Thanks!</p>
<p>prestigious? exeter.
best? nmh. : )</p>
<p>Hand down Exeter for prestigious (not biased).
Best: (biased) Exeter.</p>
<p>J'ADORE exeter...</p>
<p>nobody gives groton any credit :P
when it comes to prestige, i usually think of the word "elite". and personally, i think groton should be up there in the TSAO, playing crew on the same field as exeter, andover, sps, hotchkiss, and choate
(have we forgotten hotchkiss? i never see it coming up anymore on the threads, esp. after the whole "THEY WAITLISTED EVERYONE" fiasco)</p>
<p>according to the sociology textbook Brown University gives you (and I promise it's true, I have it in my hands right now)....
the prestigious for being elite: St. Grottlesex
the prestigious for being the oldest: exeter/andover
the 2nd tier of prestige: Choate, Hotchkiss, Kent</p>
<p>I don't know how much I agree with that (although I was happy to see Middlesex in that top tier when I read it for class) but it's an unbiased (or, I think unbiased. Maybe the author went to one of the above schools)
But it's an old book, first printed in 1991.</p>
<p>In my opinion, exeter/andover just have to be the most prestigious. Until I had friends go or I started looking, they were the only one's I had heard of (yay for the south!) except for Darlington in Georgia.</p>
<p>don't forget choate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>personally, for me, EXETER seems one of the toppiest-- yes.</p>
<p>What I think</p>
<p>Exeter
Andover
Deerfield
Choate
SPS
Groton</p>
<p>Hotchkiss
Lawrenceville
etc</p>
<p>i've never liked exeter and andover....(plz don't hurt me e/a lovers)
:P</p>
<p>choate
hotchkiss
lawrencerville
sps
deerfield
groton
idk more....</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>As an Exonian it pains me to say this, but if you call Exeter that most prestigious, you've got to put Andover up there. Fact is, a lot of people think they're the same school, so basically when they hear "Phillips" they think "oh wow great school!"</p>
<p>Really, though, boarding school in general is prestigious.</p>
<p>personally I agree with Andover/Exeter.
I think Hotchkiss and Groton should be in there too</p>
<p>VF08 is right. All competition aside, almost any Phillipian will admit that there is no school in the world more like Andover than Exeter. If one is prestigious, then the other is.
First Tier:
Deerfield, St. Paul's, Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Choate, Groton
Second Tier:
Milton, St. Mark's, St. Sebastian's, Lawrenceville, Lawrence, Hill, Kent, Loomis, Taft, Middlesex.</p>
<p>i completely disagree on the fact of st sebastian's being anywhere near prestigious--- i don't know a single person that applied and wasn't accepted. and they weren't all smart.</p>
<p>as for st pauls, my mother taught there and they don't even give out real grades, and acceptance rates are pretty high</p>
<p>I disagree-- cglen. Not with the St Sebastians, that I think I agree, but St Pauls is certainly a top boarding school. I know lots of alums, I've visited, and it cetainly was well run, efficient, smart kids, smart people. What is the acceptance rate?</p>
<p>cglen - You consider acceptance rates of 18-21% high for that is what SPS has had for several years. Perhaps your mom worked there many decades ago?? </p>
<p>Also, to correct misinformation, SPS does give out real grades. They are not ABC grades, however. They use a different system which you can find on their website in the student handbook. I can also assure you that there is no grade inflation at SPS. Most students there will see their grades drop vs. the school they previously attended. The equivalent of a straight A student at SPS is very rare.</p>
<p>I agree, creative1. Are you a student at SPS?</p>
<p>No, but I have a child who attends. How about you wickedcrazy? From your posts, it looks like you'll be applying to schools in the fall. PM me if you have any questions.</p>
<p>yay. thanks, I will-- that's what is cool about this forum, people are so nice.</p>
<p>You sure about that "wicked"? Hehe</p>
<p>Wickedcrazy - I'm guessing you might be from NH - most definitely New England given the wicked in your name! ;)</p>