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First off, how well you did on some standardized test and "average college matriculation" statistics aren't exactly what make a school a strong environment. I didn't go to prep school to get ready for some stupid test or so that i could go to some college--i went because it gave me many opportunities. My prep school specializes in art (film/music/dance/photo etc.), but because of its small community you make lifelong friends with many different people, including many frienships with your teachers. Stuyvesant is good for "Getting an 800 101" And "What College Admissions Officers like to hear" -- I doubt many of the machines at those schools could hold up an intellectual conversation in an English classroom at a NE prep school. Numbers and statistics do not grant a school superiority--in fact, that statement disgusts me--so go on and praise your numbers but how well you did on the SAT will make you feel pretty damn empty when you're sitting in a cubicle for the rest of your life, then again, it's what you wanted right?

By Lamronba412 (Lamronba412) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 07:20 pm: Edit

oh no...here we go again, back to the stereotyping and name-throwing

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 07:36 pm: Edit

"I doubt many of the machines at those schools could hold up an intellectual conversation in an English classroom at a NE prep school."

And you know this HOW?

Oh and Stuyvesant has the BEST Theater program in NYC. The community here is HUGE.

By Bigblue04 (Bigblue04) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 10:45 pm: Edit

"And you know this HOW?"

Because I went to magnet school. And prep school.

And theater has nothing to do with English classrooms.

By Stanfordhopeful (Stanfordhopeful) on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 11:41 pm: Edit

"Because I went to magnet school. And prep school.

And theater has nothing to do with English classrooms."

And you obviously learnt very little at both.

Are all Prep schools alike? Are all Magnet schools alike? No.

There is absolutely NO evidence that you can't make "lifelong friends with many different people, including many frienships with your teachers" at Magnet schools.

"I doubt many of the machines at those schools could hold up an intellectual conversation in an English classroom at a NE prep school."

And you expect people to take this BS? Honestly now. Stuyvesant students who have continually proven themselves on a national and international level are incapable of having an "intellectual conversation" in some Prep school classroom? What exactly do you base this on? Anecdotal evidence does not apply here.

All Magnet school students are number-crunching socially inepts •••••••• while Prep school kids are Bohemian intellectuals who would ace standardized tests "if they cared enough"?

Why was there even a need to make such a topic? Inferiority complex?

Why can't Prep school kids accept the fact that Magnet school students are also intelligent, cultured individuals who care about things other than getting into the best college? Why this hate (or dare I say jealousy)?

By Bigblue04 (Bigblue04) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 12:13 am: Edit

"Why can't Prep school kids accept the fact that Magnet school students are also intelligent, cultured individuals who care about things other than getting into the best college? Why this hate (or dare I say jealousy)? "

blah blah blah. please. don't flatter yourself. the original post was written by a stuy student, nysschools, so there's your answer about inferiority complexes. I personally really don't care. I agree Dwayne's post was a little harsh, and magnet school students have a lot to offer... whatever.

If you'll look at my previous posts though, I never said anything about Stuy students being "lesser," "inferior," or whatever euphemism or stereotype in any way- just that the original poster had no right to assert that ny magnet school students have the best situation of all. clearly, in your self-righteous holy war, you haven't taken the time to look at the original post.

and a tip- chill out. i've been to both magnet school and prep school. i said it before and i'll say it again- prep school was the best choice for me. some of my closest friends at bx and stuy feel magnet school was best for them. the problem with the original (nysschool's post) was that he claimed magnet school was the way to go, with no experience at prep school whatsoever, drawing his evidence from media steretypes and speculation.

this is not a battle of rich waspy preppies against smart science geeks. don't make it into one.

By Mazzystar (Mazzystar) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 12:51 am: Edit

you know what? who really gives?

In the end, no one is really going to care where you went to for high school when you're 60. If you make the most of the environment your in, kudos to you. Be glad you're at a school like Stuy or Andover or w/e, and stop complaining, bragging, etc. There are tons of other people out there who would give anything to be in EITHER ONE OF YOUR SHOES.

This arguement really is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Either way, its never going to be settled, so get over it.

By Dwayne_Hoover (Dwayne_Hoover) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 02:12 pm: Edit

Heh i'm not debating superiority--I just feel that if this kid bases Stuy's "Superiority" on SAT scores and college matriculations, then sure he wins, but I sure don't care how well my peers are doing on the SATS (as long as they're pretty good scores like 1250+) and I don't care what college they go to--I care about me, and hte most enriching environment--Stuy may have the best theater in NY for public schools, I doubt it could hold its own against some of the prep schools (which are strong in every type of art, not just theater). Not to mention, Stuy is like 5 times (or more) than most prep schools, so its practically logical that at least 5-10 of those kids will have a life long passion in theater.

By Chinaman (Chinaman) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 03:45 pm: Edit

Well I think Prep school offer similar education like Hunter and Stuy. My kid was in one of these NY magnet school and then went to a prep school. I think Stuy and Hunter are very good in math and scince. They offer excellent program in other subjects too. However, I think prep school focuses much better in humanities. My kid was in the top three kid in his class but decided to go to prep school to get better networking. He wanted to know that what subjects he excelled in besides math and scince. He is very involved in school musical and orchestra as a lead player, but in perp school it is a very competitive. I think you can not go wrong in any place. Remember "Life is what you make out of it."

Bigblue04: How is Andover EA/ED number looks like? I heard that exeter has not done so well this year.

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 06:11 pm: Edit

Exeter has done extremely well this year. I don't know where you heard that, but the graduating class is one of the best in years. HYP accepted more students ED/EA this year than regular decision last year.

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 06:13 pm: Edit

I meant to add something about Prep schools vs. Magnets.

1) Somewhat similar education

2) Very different non-academic enviroments. (Most students are living together. That counts for alot when it comes to making lasting friendships.)

Not necessarily better, just different.

By Patjstudent (Patjstudent) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 12:04 am: Edit

I personally went to TJ for four years and can say that it is an amazing school. While the school does focus on science and tech, the humanities dept is very strong and I personally thought I got more from my senior AP Lit class than some of my science courses. This year, TJ had 170 National Merit semifinalists and 189 commended students out of a class of about 402...this is the most in any highschool across the country...i personally...(yes, i am biased..) think that tj is better than stuy but we are sister schools and im sure they have a very strong academics. i know for a fact that it is very different since tj is in the suburbs of dc and stuy is in ny....but overall, I dont think it's the teachers that make the school better, nor do i think it is the computers, money, whatever. The students at tj all come because they are driven to work hard and so that is why these students are successful.

Now, in terms of private schools, im taking a post graduate year at andover (my father did this back when he was in high school and really wanted me to do so also). While I see very many similarities in the education I am getting at Phillips Academy, Andover, i have to say that the experience in itself is very different. I feel like I have a lot more opportunites at a private boarding school--the money that goes into it...i should--but its very similar in the fact that many of the students at pa are very driven and work hard. I dont think its fair to say boarding schools or magnet schools are better. Its funny cuz students who attend public schools like to think that students who attend private schools are all wasps or snobs, and i dont think that's the case at all. I felt very welcome at andover, as a new student, and i'm really loving it there.

everyone, just make the most out of your experiences wherever you are and you will succeed. dont compare yourself to others because frankly, you should be proud of what you do and waht you enjoy. :-D Good luck everyone

By Chinaman (Chinaman) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 10:22 am: Edit

Exonian04: Any idea where Tinkai end up? Last time he was debating between HPM? You have very strong math team which kicks even TJ and Stuy. Your math team coach is very well known. My kid told me that this year admission stats were not good? But then again he may not be very well informed. Exonian where did you get in? Good luck

By Cjrhobbes (Cjrhobbes) on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 06:27 pm: Edit

You're right - schools like Stuy focus too much on standardized test scores. that's not to say it's not a very strong school, it's just that those high scores help mostly in the ivies, where they carry more weight. those scores help less in some of the liberal arts schools, who look more at a normal person and their courseload and grades. and yes, many Stuy kids can't hold a very good conversation.

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 05:17 pm: Edit

Tiankai decided on Harvard...and I don't know who your kid is, but acceptances were up for ED/EA round. Ours is one of the "best" classes in recent Exeter history, judging by GPAs and SAT scores.

By Exonian04 (Exonian04) on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 05:17 pm: Edit

Tiankai decided on Harvard...and I don't know who your kid is, but acceptances were up for ED/EA round. Ours is one of the "best" classes in recent Exeter history, judging by GPAs and SAT scores.

By Jsberting (Jsberting) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:05 pm: Edit

wow, some people need some social life.
GET OUT THERE AND MAKE FRIENDS :/

By Phillipsexeter (Phillipsexeter) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Tienkai is the man. PERIOD.

By Alphachimp (Alphachimp) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 08:53 am: Edit

Patjstudent: Sorry to here about your school's poor showing in terms of intel semi-finalists. Once again, Stuy has owned the country. ;)

By Alphachimp (Alphachimp) on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 09:03 am: Edit

ahh, I dont mean to be mean...sorry. Better luck next year.

By Patjstudent (Patjstudent) on Sunday, February 08, 2004 - 08:20 pm: Edit

haha sall good, im more into humanities anyway...plus, i graduated 2003