<p>“I remain concerned that D’s lack of care and attention to its applicant families not only strikes me as somewhat rude, but speaks to something more fundamental in their philosophy. Don’t the admissions policies and practices represent the leadership of the school? And doesn’t the leadership’s message “trickle down” to the rest of the school? For example, our interviewer was also a teacher, dorm parent, and coach.”</p>
<p>One of the NMH admins actually left Deerfield precisely because of that attitude…</p>
<p>"We preferred the low key approach of both Deerfield & SPS. NMH was more aggressive, but we understand why. "</p>
<p>CKSABS, I see what you are implying here, and if I did not have direct experience with NMH, I might be inclined, looking in from the outside, to come to the same conclusion. The truth of the matter is that NMH continues their dedication to and investment in your child and family the entire 4 years that the student is there. It is not just a ploy to compete for applicants.</p>
<p>Sarum - He has a few accomplishments that people heard about, so they wanted to meet him.</p>
<p>Keylyme - Actually, it’s been very positive with NMH. My son really loved NMH, but, in the end, not as much as Deerfield after revisits. (SPS was a distant third for him.) Several of the students he met/knew and the science, math & technology center really swayed him to Deerfield. </p>
<p>The NMH coaches have been fantastic. We’ve (still) been talking everyday this week. It was a very difficult decision for my son, especially in one sport where NMH is exceptionally strong and they really need him next year. </p>
<p>My aggressive comment actually was alluding to the TSAO rules that limit a school contacting students (but not parents). As NMH is not constrained by such rules, their campaign began over a week before official acceptances were sent. I hope that clarifies what I said above.</p>
<p>Oh, I am sorry. May I ask which sport or would that give away too much personal info here? Sounds like basketball…that’s their main strength (ranked 4th in the country last year). But, then, Deerfield isn’t very strong in that sport. Of course, you based your decision on more than just one factor. I know NMH has a very strong history of sending the majority of their basketball players to DI schools.</p>
<p>Now, I understand why your experience with Deerfield might have been different than so many others. Your son is a recruited athlete. My son’s experience was similar. Accepted first year, did not attend. Informed of acceptance in a roundabout way early the following year with lots and lots of follow up and calls.</p>
<p>Yes, Keylyme, he was recruited for two sports. He’s also an excellent student. Like you, we were confident he would be accepted to all the schools again this year.</p>
<p>Even so, we were not spared the supposed “Deerfield experience” others may have had at SPS. That’s why SPS was last on his list. The wonderful SPS revisit was not enough to overcome his negative feelings after the fall visit.</p>
<p>Mentioning his sports would give him away, but he does compete at very high level already. You’d never know it meeting him though, as he is very quiet and unassuming.</p>
<p>Yea Deerfield…I got wait listed there. I wouldn’t have gone if I was accepted but I was surprised I was wait listed. I also doubt he was a basketball player, the coach e-mailed me shortly after March 10th. </p>
<p>“I was very disappointed to see that you were wait-listed at DA. As my #1 recruit, and only a sophomore, I thought chances of admission were very good. I’m still learning how things work though.”</p>
<p>The thing is I’m really smart and have other things also…so I was confused. I just thought they weren’t big on sports…I guess there just not big on my main sport. I’m sure your son is a football player…probably a star QB or something (I wouldn’t go looking around for any of position). What grade is he going for?</p>
<p>I don’t understand what the big deal about the interview WITH the student is? We actually liked that a lot. </p>
<p>
And I know of several Deerfield admins who have left NMH because of the “attitude” there. It’s a small community the 2 schools are in. They “trade” teachers and staff quite often - I personally wouldn’t put much weight on the fact that an admin left one school for the other.</p>
<p>My opinion is that it needs to be the school that feels the best and more “right” for the student. Obviously, she will get a great education at any of the 3 schools.</p>
<p>For the uninitiated, NMH, Deerfield, Stoneleigh Burnham, Williston, Eaglebrook and Bement are all within 30 minutes of each other. The day students all know each other, and probably went to the same pre-preps. Staff flows back and forth.</p>
<p>NMH reduced its size from 1100 students to 600 students about 5 years ago; therefore NMH ex-teachers and ex-administrators are scattered everywhere in the close-knit boarding school world. </p>
<p>NMH, Deerfield, Andover and Exeter are all in the same sports league so they interact constantly. A lot of the cc-spitting is like intra-family grumbles. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t put too much stock in the Deerfield website and their post-acceptance communications. Several years ago, the DA headmaster made it a point to say that he thought it was silly for prep schools to try to be on the cutting edge of technology when their true investments had to be with people. The school keeps its size relatively small because the deans and school head want to make sure they know every kid that walks across the podium to get their diploma. Consider, too, that students eat a number of formal meals each week (several mid-day) with faculty at their table (sit down lunches and dinners, they are called). Whatever distance you are perceiving from the website and admissions is not an index of the attention your child will receive if he/ she matriculates.</p>
<p>While that is true, I personally think communications are important. I was very impressed with Choate’s website (too bad I did not apply!)… While I may like Milton more their website is not as good as many other schools. While you cannot place stock into this for your decision, it gives you a better feeling on a website that is well made.</p>
<p>Ah principalviola, you are a child of advertising. Websites, t-shirts, postcards from students, these things will mean nothing in the long run. A small, self-contained campus with faculty committed to the “triple threat” will provide just as meaningful (if not more meaningful) relationships than one that links several campuses and pays faculty by the activities they choose to sponsor.</p>
<p>I know it is past April 10th…so this does not really matter anymore, but I just thought I would say that I got a ton of communication from Deerfield and found the interview probably the warmest and welcomingest I had! My interviewer was fantastic, sent a personal thank you note, and has kept in contact through the process. I’ve received a few of the “bribe” type things (poster/m&m’s) and a lot of postcards from students and e-mails from various coaches and teachers. Just don’t want to let this thread give Deerfield a bad name, I thought they were great, and that’s where I will be attending =D</p>
<p>Found this thread too late to weigh in and make a difference, if possible, in your thinking. I am a former Deerfield parent; my daughter graduated last spring after three wonderful, extraordinary years at the school. Those years, from admissions contacts on, were highly personal in every contact she and we had with staff and faculty. She had incredibly supportive and encouraging advisors, instructors, and mentors among faculty and staff, some of whom never even had her in class. She knew everyone on campus and was well known by all. She met and became friends with a wide range of students and faculty through table rotations in the dining hall, on her dorm hall, and through her engagement in activities. She is not an athlete but was focused on theatre, the newspaper, peer counseling, and her duties as a hall proctor. The experience the original poster had is atypical of anything we ever observed at DA. The essence of Deerfield is community and it is exemplifed everywhere on campus. Our daughter is still in touch with friends and faculty there almost daily and cannot wait to attend this year’s commencement to celebrate, once again, all that positively sets Deerfield apart from its peers.</p>