<p>I agree with several above-- don’t skip over acronym schools BECAUSE they are acronym schools. My DS is currently in his first year at an acronym school, and it does not seem in any way to be more of a “pressure cooker” than many of the hidden gems we know. Some of the kids certainly put pressure on themselves, but I don’t think it’s the culture of the school. He IS getting to go to school with lots of amazing kids-- amazing both academically and in MANY other areas-- and he’s found lots of them to be very friendly and supportive. That’s not to say an acronym school would be a good fit for any particular kid-- but just as I would never say to ONLY apply to acronym schools (my DS applied to one acronym and 2 hidden gems), I wouldn’t pass over them completely just BECAUSE they’re acronym schools. Or assume that, once you’re their, they’re big pressure cookers. Like many highly ranked colleges, the process of getting in feels terribly competitive but, once you’re in, people seem to relax.</p>