<p>Leaving faculty aside for a moment, I think the OP’s question is a good one. I think the main attraction after academic rigor, breadth of curriculum etc, for many is their history of being feeder schools for HYP, as perhaps already mentioned.</p>
<p>As stated on other threads, although not everyone’s goal is HYP, we’ve already agreed there is value in the education they provide period, I think the lure of so many matriculating to the ivies is a big draw for a lot of people. </p>
<p>However, what I now come back to, is that it has been duly noted that of course not everyone who attends A/E will get into HYP (let’s just for sake of argument put aside those who don’t want to go to HYP and are looking for “fit.”) </p>
<p>Once you realize the majority of students will not go on to HYP or ivies from A/E, you’re left with “hey there are lots of great schools out there that can provide just as excellent an education as A/E” including maybe even the public school in your own back yard for some, and then all that’s left is trying to find the right match that will help your child develop to their fullest potential.</p>
<p>The more I see of boarding schools, the more I like what I see and realize that my child will get a stellar education at practically any number of them. I think her experience however will be better if she feels it is a comfortable fit and a place where she feels she can do her best work.</p>
<p>So true, RGBB. Isn’t that what your S did though? He chose a school that he felt was a better fit but found out it wasn’t as expected after all, which shouldn’t be surprising of course. For people who have had little experience with these schools, choosing a school is like choosing someone you’ll live with for the next four years after only a few dates. So I say don’t believe in “perfect fit”. Focus on being adaptive.</p>
<p>RBG2 - what an epiphany! I am smitten (in a platonic kind of way )</p>
<p>I can not begin to tell people how happy my D is having picked the school she loved and was a academic/personality fit instead of the one with the most elite reputation. Just the sheer amount of opportunities her current school is making available for her (or that she’s making for herself) that would never have happened if she attended a different school or a larger school. You are absolutely right - she feels comfortable, they like her, she likes them, and even in candid shots I find posted by friends and faculty online I can see how much she is thriving. She’s headed home after two weeks of traveling with a faculty member and a number of students and every call ends with “I can’t wait to do this again next year.”</p>
<p>Keep preaching that philosophy! Kids will do best in their college aspirations if they are healthy, happy and fulfilled in their high school years.</p>
<p>I went to a small, wonderful school mentioned here occasionally, where I believe I had a great “fit”. I will now be attending Andover as a PG. I am anxious to see the difference after reading all the posts on this website. I am confident that I will be able to find a way to take advantage of all PA has to offer, just as I did at my previous school. Fit is important but so is immersing yourself in the community and making the most of the experience offered to you as a student. Prep is not all about getting into any ivy for me, it would just be the icing on the cake.</p>
<p>I think we need to keep in mind that andover/exeter are actually good “fits” for some people. I think that tends to get lost with them being part of the “HADES” group.</p>
<p>Hey AF,
By all means keep us posted on your experience. I, for one, am extremely interested in your thoughts and feelings on your post prep school Andover PG year.</p>
<p>Ex and And are the top prep schools in the country. They are members of the Eight Schools Association and are often regarded as the elite of even that highly selective organization. There is a reason they are considered the most prestigious. </p>
<p>Given that, there are plenty of schools that are outstanding and may be better fits for students. Ex and And are just the top two schools, but that doesn’t mean they are the best fit for everyone.</p>
<p>@informative, not sure about that. That’s like saying Harvard and Yale are the top two ivies among the ivies. I think a lot of people would disagree giving examples of where Princeton is better acclaimed in some academic areas such as Math and others such as Brown might be more selective in any given year.</p>
<p>A/E are among a group of prestigious secondary schools. Not sure there is a top or bottom.</p>
<p>RBGG, have you heard of HYPMS? Of course, in reality all the top schools/colleges are excellent in common and different ways. It’s hard to quantifiably evaluate and rank them. Some are nonetheless better known and more pursued than others - that’s the reality too.</p>
<p>In reality, the differences are immaterial. I’m thankful for perceptions, however, because they help concentrate the greatest number of hyper-competitive kids (and their parents) at Andover and Exeter, making other campuses so much nicer.</p>
<p>Slim Slicker, hush. If you have found such a secrete treasure, you should take it and run. Don’t broadcast here that you got a bargain. Be careful others may steal it! ;)</p>
<p>CC is a forum for sharing information even if that information is negative towards your school. We all know that no school is perfect. I’m afraid you are in a wrong forum if you suggest not sharing information. :eek: :(</p>
)</p>
Of course, in reality all the top schools/colleges are excellent in common and different ways. It’s hard to quantifiably evaluate and rank them. Some are nonetheless better known and more pursued than others - that’s the reality too.</p>
:eek: :(</p>