<p>Exie, I believe Taft is one of the most prestigious NE BS, offers a great education, and has a similar price tag as HADES, and is easier to get in than HADES. Now, if you are saying students in Taft actually get a “better” chance getting in HYPMS than in HADES as well, then I’d say Taft is the best bargain out there, and a true hidden gem!</p>
<p>What does one of the most prestigious mean? It’s either the most prestigious or one of the more prestigious. :(</p>
<p>^^hmmmm… If you are a prep school student or a student at all, school is officially in session. What the hell are you doing here posting these one liners? Go learn your grammar instead of correcting others’ on an Internet board. Don’t you have ANYTHING better to do??? If you are not a student, say something meaningful or go get a life.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if Pulsar reINVENTed himself at Deerfield.</p>
<p>So sorry to ask, but as a newbie, I admit I don’t know what HADES stands for … I assume it’s an acronym for the top boarding schools? So that means … Hotchkiss, Andover, Deerfield, Exeter, and St. Paul’s? Is that right? </p>
<p>Sorry! :)</p>
<p>Your right Andover05</p>
<p>Bump 10 char.</p>
<p>Everyone keeps saying CTY (look on the first page) and what do they mean by this? I’m personally enrolled in a John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth course (what I think they mean by CTY)…Help!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Yes, that is what they mean. However, I don’t believe it significantly boosts your chances. When my sibling applied to schools they said that it didn’t make a difference. So if anyone out there is worried because they didn’t do CTY or some other “selective academic program”, don’t fret.</p>
<p>I think there’s a big difference between merely qualifying for CTY courses and being a true SET (Study of Exceptional Talent) candidate. To get SET, you have to have scored a 700 or above on either the math or critical reading…before your 13th birthday. That’s means a 7th grader getting a score that would be well in the ballpark for college-bound seniors even at a selective boarding school.</p>
<p>IMO, being SET (or being a Caroline D. Bradley Scholar) is as close to having an “academic hook” as you can get. Those distinctions say “out of all the smarties applying, this student is smartier” [errors intentional].</p>
<p>Also, I think that pursuing CTY courses (note that my daughter did not take any CTY courses, so I’m not trying to plug the program) shows an interest in academics above the average middle school student.</p>
<p>bump-bump-bump…</p>
<p>Seems like there are a few new students/parents looking for advice. Well, here’s a bunch of it.</p>
<p>Based on a few recent posts and PMs I’ve received, I’m bumping this so the current crop of applicants sees it.</p>
<p>hello i need some recommendation advice! as soon as I think I have it all figured out, a school emails me back saying they don’t allow this person to fill out this form…
so what is your experience? I mean do you know how lenient schools are about accepting other schools forms? For example, there is no common personal rec form and several schools require them so is it okay for me to only use one of the forms and distribute it to the other schools? or did they want you to fill out exactly what is provided on their website? Keep in mind I’m talking about big school like HADES schools. Thanks!</p>
<p>IMO, there is no reason (besides your own reluctance) that you can’t use one school’s form as part of your application to another school. </p>
<p>Last year, my daughter used the Hotchkiss supplemental rec form for a school that didn’t supply one, and she was admitted. We tried to find one with the least amount of branding on it, and I’m pretty sure the Hkiss form fit the bill (though it does say Hkiss in fine print, there wasn’t a big honking logo on the top). And no, she didn’t even apply to Hkiss.</p>
<p>A general observation: Seems like a few applicants are sweating the reccos hard right now. Note that in general, teachers know they will have to do recommendations for current students…they will not be as freaked out as you are about doing multiples. What’s important is that you get them to the teachers/school office SOON. Giving a teacher no time to do reccos is far worse than giving them multiples. Of course, try to use common forms where possible, out of courtesy.</p>
<p>Okay thanks I’m not exactly sure where I am applying, one reason I’m holding it off. Also, I’m in high school already and want to switch, so I’m trying to get the recs with out much trouble. I don’t want to insult my teachers by leaving when I already go to a good school. I just think BS is meant for me. I don’t want to have to make a big deal about recs and don’t really want my teachers to have to think about it too much, and I especially don’t want a lot of people to know unless I decide to go.</p>
<p>Most of the personal recommendations will allow a letter from the teacher in lieu of the longer questions. Teachers can then quickly check of the stuff on the front of the form if you want to submit the “correct” form to each school In my son’s case, that third personal recommendation was different enough at each school that he used each school’s individual form, but split the forms between two recommenders, so no one had too much to do.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, as a teacher, I can confirm what SevenDad has said–teachers are asked to provide recommendations all the time. It’s just part of what we do. Don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Bump-diddy-bump.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice on exactly what I should say when I ask for my teacher recs? I am a high school sophomore, so I should probably say somethings about how I do like the school I’m currently going to. I know I’ve posted this question in several threads, sorry, I’m just really nervous!!</p>
<p>@helloel</p>
<p>Just rip the bandaid off fast - it will hurt less. In other words stop worrying about it so much. Just hold your head up, ask for the reccs and get it over with. Keep it simple, you do not have to justify yourself. Just say you have decided to apply to BS, would they be willing to write you a recc. Strongly suggest doing it before Thanksgiving so they have time to write a thoughtful recc.</p>
<p>Im doing common app so im giving them to teachers around the beginning of december. im just going to go up before class one day and “rip off the bandaid”</p>