<p>Well, is this a question supposed to be raised and discussed by students only? Anyway, I would like to hear your opinions and experience with Deerfield. In a visitor's eyes, the buildings and facilities there are not as impressive as some other schools. There must be something special about this school since so many of you seem to love it.</p>
<p>the koch center is a cool building and it does have the biggest natatorium
small community
no saturday classes
they have a good schedule dorms are singles
sitdown meals
lots of other things too</p>
<p>Does anyone else have anything to say about Deerfield? Parents or students?</p>
<p>Interesting question, watertester. Before I answer, I'll tell you this: I did not apply to Deerfield, and I do not have any connection to it. However, I do have some experience with the Academy.</p>
<p>Deerfield is a swamp of preppy, rich, mediocre white kids. Although one can point to exceptions to this generalization, it's still very true. This generalization, surprisingly, is attractive to the Deerfield student-- which makes the Deerfield community very, very special. Never have I seen such a gross group of individuals all convened in one "small community."</p>
<p>hahahhaha...my parents made me apply there. Doesnt seem like anyone likes it... their the only schooll I haven't written essays for. I think I'll just take an old one for them.</p>
<p>I've got a couple of friends there...they have a great sister school/exchange program in Jordan. Apparently they have a great Arabic language program, as does Choate. Deerfield's students also have a high average SAT score (something like 2100+).</p>
<p>So does every other top-tier school. How does that make them special...not every school is special.</p>
<p>Lego, let me clear up alot of the ignorant statements in your post. </p>
<p>"Deerfield is a swamp of preppy, rich, mediocre white kids. Although one can point to exceptions to this generalization, it's still very true."</p>
<p>Oh wow, you just described every single top boarding school... Deerfield compared to schools that are not in the "elite" tier fairs pretty well. Over 26% of Deerfield students are of color, compared to 18% at the average school. </p>
<p>Deerfield turned coed alot later than most of the top schools, so a little bit of "old, boy's school splendor" exists. This attracts people.<br>
As another important little tid bit... Their acceptance rate is in the low 20s... Just like every other "elite" school.
Deerfield's SAT average score is over 2,000. That is about 500 points higher than the average senior in the USA. They accept low 20s(Percentage wise) and I believe their average score is the same as SPS's medium(or VERY NEAR). </p>
<p>THE TRUTH:
Ya, deerfield places a large emphasis on sports. They want to do well and in general they do put a hella of alot of effort to be a good sport's school. They really love sports... They arn't a sport's training camp... They are a school. Keep that in mind. </p>
<p>They have an amazing international view. They are really investing their time into teaching chinese and arabic. They are trying to stress that business will be done with arabic oil tycoons and asian tech companies in the future. A GOOD PREDICTIOON. </p>
<p>So, now you know. Don't comment unless you know.</p>
<p>I LOVE Deerfield. After Hotchkiss I would have chosen Deerfield. </p>
<p>It is VERY selective (16% - lower than A/E and Hotchkiss in fact it may be the lowest in the country) </p>
<p>It has a brilliant academic program. (I do not believe in the arbitrary ivy placement rankings but if you do Deerfield would rank higher than A/E). </p>
<p>It has a small community like Hotchkiss' (almost precisely the same as Hotchkiss')</p>
<p>It has a large endowment (almost precisely the same as Hotchkiss')</p>
<p>It emphasizes sports but is not a jock school (like Hotchkiss)</p>
<p>If you want to hunt deer it has a field full of them. </p>
<p>Overall it is a truly wonderful institution all round. I HIGHLY recommend it. </p>
<p>Plus, ALL NE schools have preppy people ... Deerfield has a few traditional things like sit down dinners, and a tight dress code, but some people actually like that. The people there are nice all round.</p>
<p>I am a parent of a ninth grade student at Deerfield. I really resent the "swamp" statement, which really is a reflection on the writer, not the school.</p>
<p>We are not a rich family, nor a legacy family, nor a New England family. We are an immigrant family, who sought a world-class education for our daughter. We found this at Deerfield. Our daughter has students from around the world in her classes, works with students from an immensely wide background, and is thriving. We feel incredibly lucky that our daughter is having the experience she is at this amazing school.</p>
<p>What makes Deerfield special? Yes, the community, the "feeds," the community service, the fantastic Head of School, the teachers, etc. Other schools are also special, but this one fit for our daughter. There's no need for anyone to slam the school -- it doesn't deserve it. On the contrary, the school is a great role model.</p>
<p>What is their uniform?</p>
<p>no uniform. dress code.</p>
<p>Students in the forum here attention: If you got offers from both Hotchkiss and Deerfield, which one would you choose and why?</p>
<p>Deerfield: Just as sporty and better college matriculation.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss: uber debate team</p>
<p>I know that the dress code for girls is 2 visible layers on top and no jeans. Whew!! Although, I don't really mind the dress code... Deerfield's one of my top choices! </p>
<p>I'm curious about the sit-down meals. Do you like them (or the idea of them)?</p>
<p>ooh. me too. sit down meals sound like a pain. :(</p>
<p>It's part of the learning experience...I think most students enjoy that.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the historic village that surrounds the school...it's really beautiful. It would be an amazing place to learn for students who are interested in American history.</p>
<p>thats the best part about deerfield! have you read the buttonball papers? They are really amazing!</p>
<p>Deerfield Academy, so that you know, has the highest percentage of Ivy league accepted and enrolled students in the country. Ith has the lowest acceptance rate in the country. It has the biggest natatorium in New England. It has one of the highest SAT averages in th U.S.</p>
<p>My dad, grandfather and sister went to Deerfield and had an amazing experience. I highly recommend such a quality school like Deeerfield.</p>