SevenDad

@bballhopeful: I'll answer that based what I know about other schools...

Yes, this could happen. If you are used to being the big fish in a smaller pond (and like it that way), one of these superselective BS may not be the place for you.

On the other hand, as a parent, I really don't want my kids to cruise through school. That is not what life is like afterwards, so it's good to have the experience of disappointment (not being the top gun anymore) and to develop personal resilience.

bballhopeful

Wouldn't that hurt chances of getting into a top college?

SevenDad

@bballhopeful: It could.

Which is why some (myself included) don't think "getting into a top college" should be a primary goal of going to BS in the first place. The valedictorian at our local public school generally goes to an Ivy or similarly selective college every year. If that was the only (or most important) goal I had for my daughter, she would probably be better served staying home.

We are sending her (and maybe her younger sister eventually) to boarding school for many reasons, the least of which is "to get into a top college". And that is without getting into the sticky discussion of what constitutes a "top" college in the first place.

That said, I think it's fair to say that the average Lawrenceville graduate will probably have a higher chance of getting into selective colleges than the average public high school graduate. The top 5 students at each school's chances are probably fairly similar.

BigValley

What's the best way (or the best ways) to travel from Exeter to Lawrenceville on Friday evening? We plan to rent a car at Manchester airport. We know its a five hour drive from Exeter to Lawrenceville. Should we leave the car at Manchester and fly to Newark or Philly? Or is the drive nice and scenic?

baldingguy

Do you know how much time is there for a devoted string musician to practice each day at Lawrenceville? Do you think the school takes music seriously?

girlgeekmom

@Big Valley,
A L'ville student is unlikely to have the driving experience to answer that question. I have done the drive to many of the NE schools including PEA and have visited L'ville as well.

If you will be flying home after L'ville, I would fly down from Manchester. It is NOT scenic, it's mostly highway, except for the drive across NH to the highway, which is also not very scenic, as the route is either multi-lane highway or local roads replete with the typical strip malls one sees everywhere. The areas around PEA and Lville are quite scenic, but the route is most certainly not.

The drive up from Philly is marginally more scenic than the drive down from Newark. Either way, it's mostly interstate till you get to the local highways.

jwla06

Hi! I would like to ask how hard it is to get admitted as a junior (I heard its must more competitive because there are far less slots open). Also, what is the dance program like in Lawrenceville? I am a dancer and I would definitely want to be involved in dance if I do join Lawrenceville thanks!

MBVLoveless

Dance program is quite developed and I know plenty of kids involved in it.

LvilleTourGuide

@jwla06 Junior year admissions is definitely tougher than freshman or sophomore admissions. Tat being said, it's not impossible. They take a handful every year. However, this year, it might be particularly difficult. The current sophomore class is overenrolled, especially for girls. Thus, if you are applying for junior admissions this year, you're trying to join an already large class. But again, if the admissions office really wants you, they will make it happen.

I'm not particularly familiar with dance, but from what I know, it is a highly developed program. There are dance classes offered as well as student clubs devoted to the art. I know that there are multiple dance performances every year, with the spring dance concert being the largest. As an audience member, I can say that the spring dance concert performance is truly electrifying. It's a testament to the dedication and talent of Lawrenceville's artists. If you want to talk to the director of the dance program, contact Derrick Wilder (he's also a 5th form house master).

SoyIndio

I too am interested as applying as a junior....I have a ~4.16 GPA and have gone to a couple things for choir, is that good enough?

LvilleTourGuide

Well, that's a bit vague... 4.16 is that weighted? Is it out of a normal 4.0 scale? Do you go to an academically rigorous and challenging school? How extensive is your involvement with choir? Are you from an underrepresented geographic location or race? Do you have any other notable extracurriculars? What are your SSAT scores? If you give me some more data, perhaps I could provide you with a more qualified answer.

pandemonium2

what are the houses like?

coolcat30

If I have A's and b's got around 70th percentile on ssat, have raised over 3,000 dollars for charity over the last year, have played trumpet for 5 years, and had a great interview, what are my chances of getting into lville school as a freshman. Also i am in honors geometry

MBVLoveless

@pandemonium: What about the houses do you want to know?
@coolcat: I can't chance. Sorry about that.