<p>Sounds like the admissions process has added essays for parents since I went to Simon’s Rock, back in the day, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. All’s I remember of the admissions process now is being given a prompt to write on “the wise restraints that make men free” and visiting the campus with my mother and (I think) one of my sibs. Ah, the 1970s! They gave me what amounted to a full scholarship. There were many kids from very affluent families, some with celebrity parents, but the small size, rural surroundings, and ethos of the place encouraged friendships across some significant divides. SR works very hard at racial diversity, there has always been a cadre of international students, and Westerners but there are also plenty of people who come from nearby New England/NY and just opted out of high school for one reason or another.</p>
<p>Well, since the advent of Facebook I’ve been back in touch with a lot of Simon’s Rockers. I am absolutely amazed at the diversity of interests and extraordinary success of so many alums. From my years, lots of people went into arts and entertainment, often combined with other interests. Lots of entrepreneurial types: the college has always very strongly encouraged that. Among the famous alums are Joel and Ethan Coen (the filmmakers), Eli Pariser (founder of move.org). </p>
<p>Over the years, SR has added more facilities to make sure that students with math and science, engineering get served as well. In my class there were two people who had their MDs by age 24 or so. </p>
<p>Oh, and while it’s rural, it’s roughly equidistant between Boston and NYC. About a three hour car trip, depending on traffic. A little longer to NYC. </p>
<p>Owlice, I wouldn’t worry about DS’s relative lack of communication. Our 17 yr old D who is currently a freshman (but not at SR - she decided she wanted to do the high school stuff offered here) talks with us, more or less by previous agreement, once a week, Sunday afternoons. Sometimes it’s just a brief call. Just to keep us up to date. Her way of acknowledging her appreciation for our paying the bills.</p>