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Okay...so it appears that I'm headed off to Taft next year (woohoo! anyone else? congrats to all going to prep schools) and I have serious aspirations to go to an ivy league school. I know the competition to get into these schools are CRAZY at prep school, so I wonder....does anyone know what one should aim to do at prep school to get in to an ivy league?

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:56 am: Edit

transfer to an Indian reservation in New Mexico!just kidding, congratulations on taft

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:01 pm: Edit

Do something no one else does. You would get into an ivy with a 3.5 with something unususal you are dedicated to more easily than with a 4.0 and 1600.

By Babygurl89919 (Babygurl89919) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:58 pm: Edit

woohoo NM here I come!! JK....thanks Cubfan!

That sounds like good advice Mom101...are you speaking from personal experience?

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit

my advice to you is not to get discouraged at first when trying out for sports teams and membership in selective clubs. at milton, for example, many many more kids try out for the speech team than there are spaces available. these auditions also take place very early in the fall, like in the first two weeks of school. if you are determined to be on the speech team, i advise that you prepare in the summer.

our newspaper staff is also very hard to get into. i've mentioned this before, but i will say it again. the process to become a staff member is very similar to college admissions because the committee asks for grades, course selections, an English teacher rec, graded writing sample, creative, editorial, and analytical essay samples, a questionnaire which asks how committed you are, and an interview to further discern your level of commitment.

for milton, sports try-outs occur 2 days before the actual start of school, and as you know, at a school like taft, earning a spot on the varsity team is intense. you may want to train for your desired sport in the summer as well.

membership to our debate is open to everyone. however, to compete in actual LD tournaments, the coach evaluates the arguments of those seeking to represent the school in interscholastic debates.

our a cappella groups need trying out for, and so do our select chamber orchestra/chorus. the all-school orchestra i believe is open to everyone, but most who choose to perform are already very competent.

for me, finding my niche within the community has been rough. i just went with my already developed interests in history by joining the history club and pursuing an independent research project on it. i also decided to do community service work, and i'm committed to it for 4 days a week, 2-3 hours per day.

to gain a leadership position is extremely difficult. you have to be extremely mature, sociable, committed, confident, hard-working, and knowledgeable and competent about your area of expertise. you'd be happy to find out that prep school elections are far from popularity contests...students generally choose to elect who they feel have the most dedication and who can make the most positive impact on the school.

co-curricular offerings and practices at taft are probably somewhat different than that of milton, but my purpose was to share with you my own personal experience.

i'm sure your experience at taft will be an exciting and interesting one. cherish it!

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:48 pm: Edit

I have interviewed for an ivy league college (as an alum) for over 20 years. As we all know they can fill themselves with 4.0/1600s if they wanted to. From a good prep school, almost anyone will do reasonably well at an ivy. So what you want is things like someone who has demonstrated an unusual commitment to something and has shown real goal orientation and a real go for it approach. The more unusual the better.

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Gian, out with it! Being one of the most valued and prolific writers on cc, tell us the truth. Do you like prep school or not? Are you going back next year and do you feel you made the right decision to go in the first place? Some of us probably have an overly romantic view of boarding school but you are living the life. Do you feel it is a lonely experience? Is it a better fit if you are a star athelete, student as opposed to just a good student? lay it on the line brother. thanks

By Babygurl89919 (Babygurl89919) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:31 pm: Edit

Mom101 your last post was a big help.....inspirational even.

Gian, thanks for the input...it was most enlightening. I second Cubfan's request! Is it a lonely life?

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:39 pm: Edit

I'm not gian, but I do go to Groton boarding school is great, and after the initial homesickness I found it even better than I imagined, and all the traditions are the best. WInter sucks, but fall and spring more than make up for it.( however that weird little period between thanksgiving and Christmas is really nice and cozy with lessons and carols) However the competition ios tough. This year about 30 kids from my class of 90 applied to Harvard regular decision. Five were accepted early so the rest of us are waiting until the 1st... group anticipation is the worst!

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:39 pm: Edit

I'm not gian, but I do go to Groton. boarding school is great, and after the initial homesickness I found it even better than I imagined, and all the traditions are the best. WInter sucks, but fall and spring more than make up for it.( however that weird little period between thanksgiving and Christmas is really nice and cozy with lessons and carols) However the competition is tough. This year about 30 kids from my class of 90 applied to Harvard regular decision. Five were accepted early so the rest of us are waiting until the 1st... group anticipation is the worst!

By Bigblue04 (Bigblue04) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:43 pm: Edit

You know, it's funny you asked that because as I'm nearing my last few days at prep school, I've been thinking a lot of "what if's..." and considering what I would be like if I hadn't, on a whim, applied to boarding school. So if you guys (and Gian) don't mind, I thought I'd add my two cents. You can read it however you like, but I hope it helps someone out there who, like me a few years ago, was absolutely mystified by the whole thing.

Prep school is intense. I rely on that adjective heavily, and so do many of my peers, but there is simply no other word to describe it. I ultimately decided to go because I was bored with the school I was currently attending, and thought it might be like CTY, an academic summer program that I had attended, and loved because of the intellectual, dynamic social atmosphere. Boy, it couldn't be any more different. Yes you will find kids just as stimulating, witty, and talented as CTY'ers, but the atmosphere is totally different. At CTY, for those of you who have attended, you will remember it is pretty well structured with activities and dances... almost to the point where you CAN'T be antisocial, besides there's this fun mandatory no-homework policy. Also, most CTY'ers are away from home from the first time, and are all bushy-tailed and bright-eyed from the novelty of it all. Andover, however, is much larger (about twice the size) and much more serious academically. It took a couple of rough terms to discover that nobody will hold your hand there. Yes, you can go find ample help- tutors, conference extra help periods, etc., but you have to have the initiative to do it. Additionally, although there is ample opportunity to listen to world-renowned speakers and go to interesting events (the Harvard Klezmer band, for example), but, if you want to attend an Ivy League college, it will be that much harder to resist your friends' invitations to the movies, to Boston, or wherever.

Another thing. Nobody ever mentions anything about "homework" in the catalogue. You get this impression that all students ever do is casually sit around with a cup of hot chocolate, discussing philosophical and political issues casually with their teachers and peers. Or at least, that's what I thought. There is a lot of work, and by work, I don't mean silly busy work that gets graded for neatness. I mean, something to the effect of, your calculus teacher mentioning, "Oh, you might want to do problems 1-30 in your textbook." He won't check anything, (most teachers have more respect for us than THAT), but unless you are a math genius, you will probably end up doing 1-30... plus all the other problems in that section of the textbook if you want to do well on the test. When I first got there, I thought it was pretty sweet that there was a whole room in the health center called "The Sleeping Room" for when you're too fatigued to go to class... what I didn't realize was that I would actually end up needing it- not because I didn't feel like going to English, but because I was exhausted from six straight hours of studying for physics the night before.

It's a lot like college, and you have a lot of responsibility. You will most likely not be the smartest kid in your class anymore, the most talented violinist, the best goalie. But that doesn't mean that you can't make friendships there that are even better, because you respect the kid who kicked your a** in hockey. I can't speak for smaller schools, but I think Andover supercedes the typical high school social hierarchy. There are a ton of different groups, and your classmates will impress and shock you. There are cape-wearing theater buffs, quiet Asian pianists, stalwart preppy Republicans, jocks... but they're not the shallow kids from back home. Which doesn't mean that you won't find immature kids who drink during the weekends and can't take the pressure either. Can you find drugs and drinking? Yeah, probably. Will you have to look for it? Same answer. There is a lot of pressure, from classmates and teachers, especially when college admissions comes around. You'll find yourself worrying about whether you made this board position or that editor when you were practically running the whole operation back at home. It is pretty difficult to stand out here. You're going to have to go looking for opportunities to prove yourself, in things that you love. College adcoms can practically sniff out fakes and phonies, so I'd advise picking two or three activities that you truly love- even before you get here- and go somewhere with those so by senior year, you've established yourself a comfortable niche. People in the admissions office claim it's easy to start anything here. Don't believe them. Unless you're really gifted, chances are, if you're a bagpipe dilettante, there are probably a few kids who've already started a bagpipe club on campus... and have won local or regional awards for it. Also, because Andover, and most other boarding schools believe in "all-around" education, there is a sports requirement (although that's getting a bit more lax now) and a strict honor system as well.

It can be lonely, but living in a dorm helps. Stay in touch with your parents, and be very honest with yourself about what you can handle. That helps too. Also, I can't emphasize how important it is to BE ORGANIZED! I was a total slob in terms of work when I first got here, and trust me, I've got a new respect for color-coded binder organizers and sheet protectors. Don't worry prematurely, but have some kind of plan as to how you want colleges to think of you. I wouldn't consider myself one of the smartest kids in my class, or even a star anything. But I work hard, and packaged myself right, and I'm going to Princeton next year.

And don't get me wrong. I love this place. I love the stunning campus, I love the fact that our school is mentioned in my history textbook, I love the great kids I've met here. I also think I am a better, neater, more thoughtful, less cocky kid after coming here. Going to boarding school is a process that changes you- often the same thing many students go through at college...only here it has more of an impact because you can't escape school and come back to your nice, private room where you can blast music as loud as you want and go out when you want, wherever you want. Every time I get sick of this place though, something happens that just makes me remember why I came here again. Like, at one school assembly, the principal and the head of CAMD (the multicultural office)- two normally distinguished faculty- dressed up in a letterman jacket and a poodle skirt and belted out a fifties love ballad. Or whenever someone mentions "04" the entire senior class makes a scene, literally screaming their excitement. Or when the Carriage House guys, this group of really funny guys on campus, completely overdid the Senior Assassins game, and lurked around campus, walkie-talkies and everything.

Man, what a long essay. I could write pages more, (I've got a lot of respect for anyone making it this far!) but you can't just summarize prep school on an online post. You have to come here for yourself, make your own judgment. So, to summarize, my impression of boarding school: good... but it's not that easy. If you want to go to Ivy League from boarding school, it's possible (in fact, you'll probably see a lot of fellow prep schoolers at college) but unless you're a) connected b) a nationally winning _______er, or c) really rich, you're gonna have to work your ass off. Know though, that it's a totally different you going from prep school to college than your local public/private day school to college. YEAH CLASS OF 04!!!

Just my two cents. Sorry if I overstepped it.

By Babygurl89919 (Babygurl89919) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:00 pm: Edit

Pinkflamingo...thanks for the input. good luck waiting for your admissions news!! you've got me looking forward to the time between thanksgiving and christmas.....

bigblue....wow....besides scaring the (excuse me) •••• out of me, you've made me all the more excited to go to prep school.....it does sound REALLY hard (and the words: why would you ever? come to mind) but to me that's the point. something that hard will change me and the rest of my life for the better, like I'm sure it has for you!!! thank you so much for the long post!! it was a big help.

Okay....so far I've been told to be unusual, connected (I'm not), a nationally winning _____er (hmm, I may be but I wouldn't count on it), or really rich (I guess..but I don't know how rich you mean by really rich....).

So.....do you think being a published author would be good to set me apart? It's a big dream of mine to be published before I turn 18...with all the work I'll have to do at prep school that will make it a lot harder but I could push for it.....what do you all think?

By Bigblue04 (Bigblue04) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:14 pm: Edit

PS- One last note. Now's around the time where acceptees are trying to make their decisions so in order not to scare off any poor acceptees I thought I'd add:
1) This is my experience only. You will find answers ranging from the best times of their lives (usually recent alum) to hellholes.
2) Although I use Andover here, I have a fairly widespread network of friends in other prep schools. They generally concur. This is NOT just limited to Andover.
3) Try not to take it sooo seriously. No, this is not where fun comes to die. Playing frisbee on the Great Lawn is fun. So is lingering for three hours in Commons with your best friends after a great game. So is casually sitting around with a cup of hot chocolate, discussing philosophical and political issues with teachers and peers.

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:56 pm: Edit

that was GREAT guys. thanks for the input. As you guys know, it is so hard to find out what the real scoop is on boarding school because so few people have experienced it. Anybody think they made a mistake and should have stayed home and been the Big Guy?

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:07 pm: Edit

Bigblue04, thanks for taking the time to really give us insight. Princeton is lucky. I wonder, do you wish you had chosen a smaller school? Where else did you look? What do your friends at St. Paul's say? My daughter is currently choosing between Andover and St. Pau;'s. Our dinner conversation tonight was confirmed by your post in many ways.

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:33 pm: Edit

BigBlue, upon second reading, I printed your essay and put it in my file. great job!!

By Pinkflamingo (Pinkflamingo) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 09:36 am: Edit

Mom101-- I have friends St. Paul's and my dad went to Andover and I was accepted there and chose to attend groton. I personally would choose St. Paul's because I would want a more traditional prep school experience. St. Paul's is smaller and preppier and has a strong affiliation with the Episcopalian church. I chose not to attend Andover because of the size and the fact that it seemed to me like it would be llike going to a small liberal arts college 4 years early rather than going to an "a separate peace" style boarding school. It's all just personality and about what your daughter wants in a boarding school. I know kids who love both places so you can't really go wrong with either.
Another thing I read from BigBlue04's post that made me happy that I attended a smaller school is the fact that I'm never lonely at school, ever, ever, ever. Every student at school knows EVERYONE else's name(including the little IInd formers!) and every teacher knows each students name as well (there are two teacher meetings a year where they go through alphabetically and discuss each student in depth) I also know that I'll keep the the friends I've made over the past four years for the rest of my life. I'm incredibly sad about leaving this place after prize day this spring and it's usual to see VIth formers sobbing during the handshaking line (where all the seniors line up on the circle and shake hands and say goodbye to each teacher and then each student). I'm so glad that I went to boarding school and I'm so glad that I chose Groton and went with my gut instinct. (even though it has been A LOT of work, it was all worth it!)
Mom101- make sure your daughter goes with her gut feelings when choosing a school. I'm sure one school seems a little "more right" than the other to her.

By Hill (Hill) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 09:44 am: Edit

BigBlue - "BRAVO"

You couldn't have said it better! This is (almost) exactly what my son has experienced in his 4 years of prep school. He is a senior and well prepared to move on to college. My concern is that that college will be too "easy" compared to his last 4 years.

When he would come home for the weekend - he slept...ALL weekend from the exhaustion of the school week.

To all those considering attending prep school - be prepared to do the work. It is a worthwhile experience. One you will never regret.

Hill's mom

By Cubfan (Cubfan) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 09:57 am: Edit

Is there a risk of turning college into a negative experience after a boarding school? I had two older friends that went to ivys from prep and found them "underwhelming" after their prep time. any comments form those that know?

By Batesmom (Batesmom) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:22 pm: Edit

My daughter graduated from Andover last year. It was an amazing experience for her.... I could go on and on, but my main comment here re: choosing a prep school is- location, location, location. One of the many great things abot PA is that kids can walk downtown, get stuff they need at CVS, get pizza, gifts for birthdays,etc. Many other schools we visited for my daughter's sporting events were in the middle of nowhere, or close to it.Getting off campus was a real problem. Also, PA's proximity to Boston means that, once your parents take a deep breath and give you pemission, you can take the train into the city and have access to all it offers. Good luck!

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 03:33 pm: Edit

Pinkflamingo, thanks. I think St. Paul's is the right school, too. Having mostly grown up in CA, she is not steeped in prep school knowledge and hadn't even thought about applying before she went to Choate last summer and a teacher convinced her she belonged at a prep school. None of her friends applied so she's on her own. Here in Silicon Valley, Andover and Exeter are the only schools anyone knows of. Her friends keep asking her how she could turn down Andover!

By Babygurl89919 (Babygurl89919) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 10:12 pm: Edit

I reread big blues essay and something in it really caught my eye.....

When I first got there, I thought it was pretty sweet that there was a whole room in the health center called "The Sleeping Room" for when you're too fatigued to go to class... what I didn't realize was that I would actually end up needing it- not because I didn't feel like going to English, but because I was exhausted from six straight hours of studying for physics the night before.


that does sound quite sweet to me too. i hope taft has one too.

By Rosenj (Rosenj) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 10:01 am: Edit

BigBlue, thanks so much for your great essay! I'm a CTYer who just got into Andover (and is probably headed there), and you addressed so many of the issues that I have been thinking about. Yes, I'm a little intimidated about going to such a high-calibur school, but everything about what you said confirmed that it just might be well worth the hard work.

By Osnapjew (Osnapjew) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 01:20 pm: Edit

that was a great read, BigBlue. now I regret not listening to the encouragement of my peers...stupid public hs.

By Babygurl89919 (Babygurl89919) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 10:07 pm: Edit

maybe this is a stupid question....but what is a CTYer?

By Mindyzhang (Mindyzhang) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 08:19 pm: Edit

lol someone who goes to Johns Hopkins' CTY summer program (Center for Talented Youth). it`s a pretty cool camp, but more of a relaxed, fun type thing.

By Mzhang23 (Mzhang23) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

To answer cubfan's question:
yes, many prep school grads do find college to be easier and less intense than their high schools. They've just been conditioned to such a high amount and level of work that taking 4 or 5 classes with lots of free time to do other things is somewhat of a nirvana. Many prep schools also produce good writers, and the kids usually don't have much trouble on the most common college assignments - essays.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 07:18 am: Edit

I know this thread has been dead for a while, but I just looked over it and read bigblue's essay... wow. Although I don't go to Andover, your essay still struck chords with me and I think it can be extended to describe the intangibles of Exeter as well as other top schools. Wow, I think I'm gonna print the essay too.