<p>This is an excellent review and topic. I'd be interested in how these observations affect everyone's views, for better or worse. We see some of that already regarding Lawrenceville. But what are you seeing when you look past the showmanship aspects? Which parts of the revisit make an impact? Which parts -- especially the parts that stood out and were worth mentioning here -- won't be so decisive for you after you consider all things?</p>
<p>For instance...you might say that the Andover "assembly line" feeling is something you trust that you can project on or extrapolate to your child's BS experience; while, OTOH, you might be reluctant to hold it against Choate for being so chipper 24/7. These are big decisions and revisits are incredibly important...but what parts of the revisits tip the scales? And how do your views on these things diverge from your daughter's?</p>
<p>It seems that the decision-making process will boil down to what D wants, hopefully after considering her parents input...but let's face it, she has to live there and be happy. To answer your question as to what is the deciding factor, I would have to say the chemistry of the host/student match-up. If the child is matched with someone who is similar I believe theycan identify with that host's experience and can then imagine more easily their own "place" within that school.</p>
<p>As I said, after the Lville revis, us parents were completely surprised by D's reaction since she was most excited by her acceptance to Lville. I hope someone from Lville reads this and puts more thought into how they select hosts. At Andover the match up was ok, but the whole process left us both feeling we were just a cog in something bigger due to the size. Not sure if there was anything the Andover staff could have done to change the way they are due to the nature of the place. Choate....well the "happy shiney people" just didn't seem real. Made us question what reality is like at this school and what were they masking; too phony all around. As to SPS and Groton, she enjoyed both hosts, but felt a stronger connection and "fit" at Groton, despite us parents sense that SPS would offer a broader academic education both in the classroom and student body. This could result in a parent v. daughter head butt as to what is best....but you know how those turn out...Deerfield is Monday...parents' last hope!</p>
<p>We were at Andover yesterday, and felt everyone to be very personable. We had a great day there. Apparently, more than 90 families were there yesterday. We haven't gone to other schools, so can't compare. But, I had some concerns about Andover's size before the visit, and my concerns no longer exist after the visit. Just wanted to provide a differing opinion.</p>
<p>I guess it depends on your perspective, and what fit is right for each person. I went to Choate revisit last week, and felt it was the best fit for me. I think students there are sincerely enthusiastic about being there. I couldn't be more excited about a school.....so Choate it is for me.</p>
<p>My day at Miss Hall's was amazing!!!!!!!! I felt so much like a student and made so many friends: both current students and upcoming students, like me!!!!!!
we signed the contract right there in the dining hall and wrote the $500 deposit. I am so happy to be a miss hall's girl and not an emma w. girl!!!! </p>
<p>they were so much nicer and friendlier. I felt I was at home. I sat in amazing classes, ate in the dining hall (great food) and spent time in the dorms with the amazing amazing funny and nice current students.
I got a personal tour from maggie during her free block and visited the senior dorm-witherspoon. I purchased things from the school store and socialized with accepted students.
I attempted pool with current students and went to a Q&A session. I had soooooooo much fun and can't wait to go back for new family reception and then my first day of being a student!!!!!!!! woo~ go hurricanes!!!</p>
<p>My D felt that we had done alot of research before the revisits and was getting fatigued at all the comparisons and on-the-other-hands. She decided to revisit her first choice school, St Andrew's and then cancel the other revisits if it didn't go well. </p>
<p>Really, I'm sure she would have been happy at any of the schools she was accepted to, because we weeded schools heavily before applying.</p>
<p>She also thought she wouldn't get enough information from the official re-visit day and asked to have an overnight instead. They happily complied. I got to go to some classes the day I dropped her off. My husband went to classes the day we picked her up. We both thought the classes were great.</p>
<p>The match-up with a host student was good - a lot of shared interests. They also gave her an hour walk and talk with a faculty member one on one. She liked her so much she wants to pick her as an advisor.</p>
<p>There were about 140 people there which they said was the largest group they had ever had. But they still managed to serve a family style lunch and were quite personable.</p>
<p>After her revisit day at St Andrew's, we did cancel the other revisits.</p>
<p>We did similar to Grejuni at Mercersburg. It was well done. They were not quite as 1 on 1 as St Andrew's, but the Dean of Admissions found a faculty member or student to come answer every question I had (in addition to the answer he gave me). My only problem was that reality kicked in and I realized my Princess will be happy there and not at home. We are not going to other revisits either.</p>
<p>Got a call from a college friend this week who knew I was a Salisbury alum, past parent. His son is coming from a NYC school and was deciding between Salisbury, Kent and Choate. We don't cross with Wallingford often, frankly.
His son will attend Salisbury based largely on a great visit there and a poor impression of the others, especially Kent.</p>
<p>Blair Academy's revisit day was wonderful. The warmth of the community was evident in everything experienced. The match up for prospective student with host was ideal, thus giving a good experience of life at Blair. The students attended classes, visited dorms, had lunch and were part of the weekly school meeting. Parents were greeted warmly by current parents, also attended the school meeting (VERY informative, entertaining and well run), and participated in small group academic and residential life conversations. Teachers were informative, available and again gave a true sense of the care and dedication they have for their students, academically and personally. </p>
<p>One of the most impressive components of the day was the headmaster, Mr. Hardwick. In addition to greeting all prospective students and parents personally with a firm, warm handshake and smile, he pulled up a chair in the grand auditorium and spoke to the students close-up, with warmth, humor and genuine concern. (His wife was also a welcoming grace)!</p>
<p>Blair let their prospective students experience the glory of the community and academics they offer each individual. It is a privilege and joy to be accepted there.</p>
<p>In defense of Choate's revisit day- I thought it was wonderful. There were so many opportunities to engage with actual students and faculty members. These kids are so lucky to be offered this chance at a world class education. The speech at the end, by the headmaster, was inspiring. He talked about character, and the responsibity of the students to serve the world instead of just consumining its resources. Although the children in my extended family have many options, including some mentioned on this board, three of them are thrilled to be attending CRH next year.</p>
<p>Very well rounded experience at SPS. I have to echo Wyvern's comments. Great match up with the host, two day program, warm community atmosphere, however, s was disappointed with the quality of the three classes he attended. The latter comment surprised me, however, this feeling was echoed by a couple of other visiting students. Everyone mentioned kids who were not too engaged by the teachers - could have been because the classes were held on Saturday morning!</p>
<p>Interesting. On our initial visit to SPS, there was a student sleeping in the class with his head down and ignored by everybody. Guide said not uncommon.</p>
<p>On our initial visit to SPS, we only got to peek into a classroom without even having the door open, so we coudln't tell if the kids were engaged or sleeping. </p>
<p>On our re-visit, my son was not matched with a student. The "classes" we attended were "mock" and parents and potential students went. It was controlled. Interestingly, on your initial visit there, you do not get a student tour guide - the admissions officer tours you (most of them are alumni of the school) and a student is in the admissions office when you arrive to spend 15 minutes or so with you to answer questions. Again, very controlled.<br>
However, they are the only school that allowed us an overnight and day of classes BEFORE the application was mailed in. Clearly not controlled, although they did a great job of matching my son and he had a great time. </p>
<p>I think that attempting to match 100 (plus or minus) kids in one day is hard and while at first I was disappointed that they didn't do that at the revisit - it wasn't necessary for us since he had done the overnight. And, you avoid any chance of the horrible match. </p>
<p>On an off topic note - Dazzlezzz - I'm glad to see you so happy about Ashville! I remember your first few posts when you received your other 3/10 notices and it's nice to see that you have found your school - even if it wasn't the "big name." I hope you will stay on the board and remind next year's students of your experience.</p>
<p>just got back from two revisits (and we are exhausted -- that is a long plane trip and alot of driving!).</p>
<p>Putney -- we were underwhelmed. We really expected to love the school, the close knit community, the stress on developing the individual. After the visit and a day of shadowing, my son knew it was not the school for him. the campus was great (it is a working dairy farm -- for a kid looking for that type of experience) and the teachers and faculty were truly caring and supportive. the small number of kids meant that it really did seem more family like -- and the programs in the arts looked great, some real talent there.</p>
<p>however -- while i think Putney could be a great school, it seems like the top 10-15% of the kids are the ones doing the great stuff (study abroad, independent tutorials, going to ivies/julliard) and the rest of the kids are just mediocre. My son thought he could really stand out at Putney -- but he wants to go to school with other kids that really want to learn/discuss/explore -- not kids who just want to have fun in high school. he was told that no one really cares if you do your homework and most kids don't -- the classes he attended were mostly lecture since the kids hadn't read their assignment and so they couldn't answer the questions asked or have any type of discussion. He was so disappointed.</p>
<p>NMH -- wow! I know that keylyme, drnancie, LindaS and many others keep saying that NMH is a great school (thanks so much, guy, for recommending it!) but we were really, really impressed. A perfect fit for my son in every way. the revisit was organized, welcoming and we had the opportunity to have all our questions answered. The kids shadowed another student (and it was a good match) -- they got to go to a class, see their dorm room, eat lunch with the kids and hang out and play pool. Parents got to meet tons of faculty and residential life people and ask lots of questions. After lunch, the afternoon was open for parents and kids to do whatever they wanted. We toured the new art center, met with the scheduling people to ask questions, saw the boys dorm, visited the farm, met with sports coaches and more. We sent in the enrollment contract as soon as we got home -- and he is still wearing the NMH t-shirt they gave him.</p>
<p>My D's attendance at sps classes was similar. she noted that the classes were sort of boring and that in certain classes all the students were not engaged. at lville she almost fell asleep in the math class. at groton she found the classes to be "fun", whatever that means. I wasn't too happy some boy "hit on her" and asked for her phone number. I doubt this was a sanctioned "admissions committee" tactic, however! at choate the host kept talking about herself and didnt even notice when my daughter slipped on a muddly patch along a hill next to a building. oh well.....</p>
<p>I have to agree with springsintheair, Blair was the most impressive. The headmaster sitting with the accepted students for a personal talk was the most heart warming moment of all our revisits. In fact he and his wife made the rounds and sat with every admitted student during lunch. They were genuinely interested in getting to know us as a family. </p>
<p>The faculty held breakout sessions with parents to discuss curriculum, athletics, and residential life in a family style discussion, it was unlike the other schools we visited. One school in particular seemed like they were trying to sell us an automobile- very impersonal. We were allowed to sit in a all school meeting - it was funny, unpretentious and really gave me the sense that Blair allows their students to be what they are teenagers- happy teenagers. </p>
<p>We were looking for the revisits to confirm which school "deserved" our son for 4 years. That is now clear- it's Blair.</p>
<p>It is unfortunate that you were unable to realize the difference between sincerity and phoniness. As a Choate parent, I can tell you what you saw during the revisit day was real. My son is very happy at the school, and everytime we visit Choate the staff, students, and parents are extremely friendly. We are so pleased that he is fortunate enough to be a part of this community.</p>
<p>Good luck finding the right fit for your daughter.</p>
<p>Linda S, we had a very different initial trip to SPS. We had a student tour guide and a member of the admissions staff as an interviewer. Wonder why you had such a different experience. We did find out that it is the only school that has a new program where some students help as admissions officers and get involved in the process. That seemed a very innovative idea and these kids were very involved in the whole re-visit experience in a positive way. In fact, the whole school community turned out and were very welcoming. I wish the classes were more engaging.</p>