What is fit?

Prep School Admissions
21

<p>Oh good grief.</p>

<p>correction noted. [Phillips</a> Exeter Academy | Academy Archives](<a href=“Class of 1945 Library | Phillips Exeter Academy”>Class of 1945 Library | Phillips Exeter Academy)</p>

<p>* John, his older brother Samuel, and a younger brother, William, had all married wealthy widows, expanded their husbands’ businesses (which they took over, according to the custom of the day), and as they neared retirement, were eager and financially capable of doing great things.</p>

<p>1775, young Samuel and Eliphalet Pearson were in business together in Andover, making gunpowder for the Revolutionary Cause. Young Samuel had become increasingly alarmed about the steady decline in the educational system in this time of such turmoil in the country. He believed that only a good educational system could ensure a successful future for the Colonies.</p>

<p>In 1776, these two young men approached young Samuel’s father (John’s brother), and the two uncles, John and William, with the idea of opening a school in Andover.</p>

<p>The Deed of Gift, providing the financial backing and guiding principles for Phillips Academy in Andover, was signed on April 21, 1778. The school opened (with one teacher, Eliphalet Pearson, and 13 students) on April 30 1778, although their Act of Incorporation was not passed by the Massachusetts legislature until Oct. 4, 1780.</p>

<p>John Phillips was so pleased with the success of their school in Andover that, in a short time, he wrote to his nephew and asked what he thought of his uncle John creating a school in Exeter on his own. The nephew encouraged his uncle to move forward and agreed that the constitution and seal of Andover could easily be adapted to suit his uncle’s new school in Exeter.</p>

<p>The Act of Incorporation for the Exeter Academy, which both John and Elizabeth Phillips signed, is dated April 3, 1781 (only six months after the formal incorporation of Phillips Academy in Andover). The Deed of Gift is signed May 17, 1781. But it took two more years for John Phillips to obtain a building, and find a teacher. Phillips Exeter Academy formally opened on May 1, 1783 with one teacher and 56 students.*</p>

22

<p>Fit is what completes something in my opinon. I know andover fits me. Its everything I could ever want and I’m praying they’ll see potential in me. To me fit is that feeling you get when you know everything is perfect and that fate brought you here along with your smartness:). I think it varies for everyone. I’ve never been one to settle so Its all or noting for me which I like about andover. I’ve heard they do a sink or swim method but you don’t sink unless your unmotivated and to pride-ful to ask for help. Andover has everythign I want and i think “fit” is basically summed up for “completes you” because thats what everything you experence should do. :slight_smile: You or your son or whomever will just know!</p>

23

<p>While no one wants to stereotype schools there are differences between them. </p>

<p>My advice to anyone trying to determine fit is to do a lot of research. </p>

<p>Read the schools’ materials with a careful eye. Look for key words used over and over in the admissions brochures and on the website. Does the school use words like connection and community or rigor and excellence? Does it highlight its honor code? Its diversity? Its special programs? Its college admissions statistics? Each school spends a lot of time and effort crafting its message and that message will tell you a lot about how the school sees itself.</p>

<p>Talk to anyone you know with connections to the schools and listen to what is said between the lines. If possible, talk to parents of kids who have left the schools and find out what about the school didn’t suit their child. </p>

<p>These are comments I’ve heard about 4 different schools:</p>

<p>My daughter was a straight A student in middle school but she’s working harder at A School than she every has in her life. She loves it!</p>

<p>A school is really tough but for the right kid it can be a great match.</p>

<p>B school offers both support for kids who need it and advanced classes for those who are ready for them. Whichever way you child goes, he’ll find his level.</p>

<p>B School loves good, well-rounded kids.</p>

<p>The kids at C School are just plain happy!</p>

<p>C School has very strong athletics programs. The academics are challenging but not overwhelming. They keep the homework reasonable.</p>

<p>People think D school is all touchy-feely because of its past reputation but really its not. It’s a very rigorous school and kids who can’t keep up won’t get a lot of support. </p>

<p>D’s a great school but be prepared for a lot of work.</p>

<p>My child will be applying to two of these schools. The other two just wouldn’t be right for her.</p>

<p>The other advice I’d give you is to do some serious thinking about who your child is. In what kinds of environments have they really thrived? What makes them happy and keeps them motivated to do their best work? Be realistic. Don’t send your child to a school in hopes of changing who they are.</p>

<p>When my son applied to schools he was very successful. I’m convinced it was because he applied only to schools that were right for him and because he and we were able to communicate to the schools what about each made it a good match for him. Love the school he chose but daughter will be applying to different schools because she’s a different kind of kid.</p>