<p>I got a 99th percentile on the Nov. SSAT. I am most interested in studies but music plays a big part. I'm planning on applying to
Exeter
Andover
Maybe Deerfield
Choate</p>
<p>Any other good, large financial aid, strong music schools? I'm relatively new to "hidden" schools and amazing large schools as well.
Do all schools share the Common Rec Form?</p>
<p>Thank you and I'm looking forward to learning from your replies!</p>
<p>Hey,
Exeter, Andover, and Deerfield use the common rec form. I’m not too sure about Choate (haven’t really looked into their recs) but they have something on the GoChoate! website…you should probably look into that if you’re applying. But I know Lawrenceville uses a different one. As for the music, I’m more focused on art, but I’m sure all those schools have a sound music program, and the arts in general</p>
<p>I’m a current sophomore at Deerfield, and I love it. Not only is the community really friendly, supportive and all-together really fantastic, but depending on your area of interest (for you it would be music, I’m assuming) you can adapt your Deerfield experience to strengthen your craft. I’m an actress as well as a lacrosse player, and I was able to custom create my own extracurricular schedule in order to balance both, something that I was told I wouldn’t be able to handle at Andover or Exeter. I also am happy to say that the Deerfield music program is really strong this year! Not only are private lessons available, but we have such amazing instrumental groups! I was really wowed when I attended the Halloween chamber music concert last month. </p>
<p>We use the CRF. One suggestion I have for you: Depending on how many schools you plan on applying to, I highly recommend having one or two safety schools (a school to fall back on that’s still academically challenging but not as tough as an Andover/Exeter type of school), around three or four schools that you can realistically see yourself being accepted into, and then one or two “reaches” (which would be the Andover/Exeter type schools, the schools that are more selective.) As a freshman, I applied to Andover, Exeter, Taft, Deerfield, SPS, Hotchkiss, Choate, NMH and Le Rosey and got into all of them except for SPS and Hotchkiss. As all of these schools besides NMH were reaches for me, there was the very real possibility that I didn’t get into any of them, which is absolutely terrible to think about, so I’m sharing that advice to save you from what could happen.</p>
<p>Best of luck, feel free to ask me any more questions you may have about Deerfield!</p>
<p>Do you guys know anything about Milton, Groton, and Middlesex? Reading other forums increases my curiosity about other schools.
I play lacrosse too! I think I’ll
Probably apply to deerfield as well. Sounds exciting!</p>
<p>I’m a freshman at Deerfield and I totally agree with i5ab3l. Deerfield experience so far for me is amazing. It is a very close knit student community each of us with our own passions be it Math, Music, Art, or Athletics. When we go home for the holidays, we can’t wait to get back to campus as it is so much fun and so many things to do here in clubs and sports. I got into other HADES schools and chose Deerfield after the revisits. The academics here are demanding and bring out the best in all of us. I’m always in awe to find so many amazing teachers at one school. There are several music ensembles and if you are on FA, they pay for your private music lessons as well. The music teacher Mr. Van Eps is simply the best. The location in the valley surrounded by the mountains is breathtaking. I have read Isak Dinesen’s books before, but I really see here the natural setting she describes in her books.</p>
<p>yeah i agree with the past poster, you will need some safeties if you really are intent on boarding schools.
this doesn’t happen often, but i was rejected EVERYWHERE last year, and i didn’t suck. I had mostly all As, sports, and an above average ssat. The onle thing I would have told myself would be to apply to one school with an acceptance rate above 30-35% These schools are still fabulous schools! Some schools I suggest would be: Brooks, Kent, New Hampton, Miss Porters, or Episcopal High.
Oh and i have a few friends who go to Milton and love it there! Ask if you want any more specific info!</p>