<p>Claudia. Yes. I think you need to build up a cluster of schools where for the right reasons you want to go and who can afford to make you an offer of admission. For an international applicant with an interest in humanities and who can play double bass, the list is not that long. My daughter was in much the same position as you four years ago. We ended up applying to three schools, Groton, St. Paul’s and Exeter. Not perhaps the best cluster since Exeter is fundamentally different in tone and feel from St. Paul’s. Both Exeter and Groton have exceptional mathematics programmes which were of interest at the time. Mercifully she did not get into either. From the nature of her application, the schools probably figured that she would go to St. Paul’s anyway, which she did and was totally happy.</p>
<p>For the record, Prep although sited in Groton is not about Groton. It is mostly chick-lit angst. You could easily site the same story at any prepschool. A must read book on the same theme (the social outsider at an elite prep) sited at St. Paul’s is Lorene Carey “Black Ice”. Prep is cartoonish drivel. The whole point of an education is to recognize and avoid garbage like prep.</p>
<p>actually, the author of “prep” did actually attend Groton school, and i read an article where groton alumnis read “prep” and said that many things in the book (like the assassin game) were things they all remembered about groton. certainly curtis sittenfeld did take most of “prep” from her experiences from Groton. </p>
<p>dont worry, though. “prep” was not against groton; it was against the general idea of prep school, i think. certainly the schools have changed since curtis sittenfeld went to them, and though she did not have a good time at prep school, tons of others did. there will always people who hated high school, people who adored high school, etc. “prep” did not deter my decision to apply to boarding school. i viewed “prep” as a book on observations on society, teens, etc rather than an anti-prep-school novel.</p>
<p>Curtis Sittenfeld has published essays that directly address her experience at Groton–mostly negative. As a freshman in high school I read one of her essays in a feminist anthology, looked up the school she had attended, and crossed Groton off the list. That’s how negative she was about the social environment.</p>
<p>yes, but remember, things have changed since then, and just because one person had a negative opinion doesnt mean that you will hate the school - that doesnt mean that a person’s great opinion of a school should mean that you should go there, either. make up your own mind. listen to others, give it a thought, but go see the school for yourself. curtis sittenfeld said that she wouldnt send any of her children to prep school - doesnt mean that you shouldnt go altogether, either. groton seems like a nice school, but dont take my word either.</p>
<p>Sorry for any confusion–I don’t want to suggest that there’s actually anything wrong with Groton. I’ve never even visited its campus. The author’s attitude towards Groton was being discussed, and I was only adding information.</p>
<p>Groton is a great school, I would sent my daughter there in a heartbeat. Curtis Sittenfeld is a mediocre chick-lit author writing about feeling stupid and ugly at a prep school. It could have been any school. The prism of her experience is herself.</p>
<p>some people might disagree, like the new york times, for example, and i thought sittenfeld was focusing more on the people around her than on prep school - but really, lets not discuss how good prep was or how good curtis sittenfeld is; we have another thread for that and there you can insult curtis sittenfeld all you want.</p>
<p>the point that i’m just getting across is that we shoudnt get discouraged by one person’s opinion. even after i read prep, and found out that sittenfeld based it on her high school years at groton, i still ordered info about groton, because i read about it online and it still sounded like a nice school - i mean, i’m sure its the same about any school. for example, i’m going to MPS. some people sure loved it, as i could tell from reviews on boardingschoolreview.com, but i’m also sure that a few probably hated it as well. but it is your own choice, and if you’re not interested in groton, there are many other great schools of course!</p>
<p>Prep is tripe… I will say that at least among a lot of people I know there exists a popular notion that Groton is a place you “buy your way in.” I’m just reporting on the prevailing opinion at Exeter, not my own sentiments as I don’t really know anything about Groton…</p>
<p>All these posts! its really interesting too see what people think of Prep, because it seems to be quite controvercial for what it is as paleo said, just chick-lit.
I don’t/won’t judge Groton thrugh a book, because as mentioned it is just one persons view, out of thosands. I guess the reason people can have such different opinions of the same school has to do with who they are as a person, and whether they feel like they belong…
A note: I received an email yesterday from an admissions officer from MPS with a letter from a humanities teachers talking about the humanities program, it was lovely.</p>
<p>Claudia: Take a look at Brooks School near Boston. Small, nice traditions
like Chapel, and strong athletics. Girls crew won national championship
last year.</p>
<p>well for sure, a long time ago, boarding school were originally for the children of wealthy people. thats definitely changed. and if you are the child of a CEO or a senator, trust me, you would get in. that still definitely has not changed. the real garbage are books like the It girl. </p>
<p>now again we are getting off topic. oh well, i think we’ve already said everything there needs to be said. wouldnt it be so odd to end up at a boarding school with someone from CC? just a thought. would we recognize each other? probably not.</p>
<p>Yeah, we have really, thankyou everyone for the advice!
IluvAs, it would be very strange wouldn’t it…but i think it might be possible, for example there are many people who are at / were at/are starting at exeter, do they recognise each other?hmm…
And, no , im not the daguther of a senator.CEO, so that doesn’t help. My parents both work at Universities, Philosophy for Dad and Higher Edcation studies for Mum.</p>
<p>I have another question (sorry if it seems as if im overposting, there are so many questions!), on various threads in this Forum it mentions hooks etc. Now, if i show a large intrest in Literature and History ( Jane Austen and French and British history specifically) and discuss that in my essays, is that a hook or just something about me that is interestion (or not).
Also, in the Dana Hall essay it asks for me to discuss a project that meant somehing to me and changed my view on the world and myself, I thought of two assignments that have done that, an indepth project on Belgium in Geography and a extension project on Pride and Prejudice, can that translate/correspond with my “Hook”. Or am i just over analysing? Sorry if i am.</p>
<p>Claudia, a hook would relate to your ethnicity. Such as being African-American, or Hispanic. You can also have a geographical hook, maybe you live in Idaho or Montana where schools get few applicants. Another hook would be sports. You may be a ranked tennis player or something that distinguishes you from the rest. </p>
<p>What you are speaking of would be more “angular” or a specific interest. This would not be considered a hook in the true sense but it certainly can make you stand out a bit versus other candidates. This would be especially true if you have longevity in this area, or maybe have won awards, etc. I hope I have made sense here.</p>
<p>Prepparent-Thanks, i wasn’t sure…Oh, well, i may as well tell them anyway!
Jonathan-I was wondering the same thing…Though im not sure it is since im not a native Australian (i.e Aboriginal) hmm…</p>
<p>I believe she said she is not Aboriginal. Off the top of my head, I don’t recall many Australians at alot of the bs. So it may be a Geographical hook.</p>
<p>claudia, looking over your list, I noticed you have 3 of the ST. Grottlesex Schools. St. Paul’s, Groton, and Middlesex. Please check out St. George’s and St. Mark’s. I believe that completes the list of the St. Grotllesex Schools. </p>
<p>For some reason,I have been partial to these schools. Initially, I guess it was their size. As most of you know I’m partial to the smaller schools. These schools are very nice all around .</p>