Prep School Grades: Lost In Translation

nightsky
Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:53:38 +0000

I have a somewhat different view on prep schools. First off, the education provided at any of the top schools is outstanding. These schools teach you how to write and how to think. Most classes are way to small to hide; you better be prepared when you walk in because the teacher is going to engage you. great preparation for college. HOWEVER, if you are trying to “work” the admissions system, a top student probably does as well if not better staying in a good public school. Win awards, do great academically, become a superstar and you should do well in the admission process. As someone said, the days of prep schools sending all their students to ivies is long gone. When a school like Choate (a school I am familiar with) has over 50 applications per class to Yale, it still only gets single digits accepted. And these are academic superstars, athletes, , etc., not your B plus student. The competition at these universities is simply too intense for the old prep feeder schools to get that many kids in. BUT, where these schools shine is for the rest of the student body. Good prep schools get their “average” and bottom students into great schools. These schools still have long standing relationships with many LACs. In sum, all these prep kids end up doing well in the admission’s process but , no, attending these top preps is in no way a sure step to the ivies or other top schools.