Deerfield Academy review by Claremont McKenna College student.
I have VERY few complaints about academics at Deerfield. I did run into a less than helpful teacher here or there but overall I could not be happier. Science, math, and language are leveled right from the start so that strong students are challenged and others are not left behind. History and English level in junior and senior years and freshmen and sophomores are randomly placed into courses with similar syllabuses for English and can choose the topics of their history courses. Teachers are truly what give Deerfield its terrific reputation. Most of the teachers live on campus and even if they don't all teachers are on duty in the dorms during study hours 1 or 2 nights a week and are more than happy to help out if you stop by. They are incredibly helpful and friendly and I found myself building relationships beyond the classroom. My teachers at Deerfield changed the way I look at the world not only in the classroom but outside it as well. I cannot say enough good things. I highly recommend Suzanne Hannay, Denis Cullinane, Andrew Freda, Stephen Taft, and I cannot recommend Bernie Baker enough. I took every class he offered and would have taken more. He truly changed my life and I don't know many high school students who would say that about their teachers.
College advising at Deerfield is hit or miss. There are two AWESOME advisors and two.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Deerfield Academy as experienced by former pupil and Claremont McKenna College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
Deerfield does require an interview unless you speak with the admissions office and I think.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Deerfield Academy by former pupil and Claremont McKenna College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
There were things I loved about Deerfield and things I hated. The student body as a whole is incredibly preppy and I will let you decide if that is good or bad. I did LOVE the community that was created. The school is so small that you at least recognize everyone on campus. Faculty residents in the dorm are awesome! There are feeds (snacks at check in) once or twice a week. And they definitely take care of you and give advice and just act as fill in parents. Many of them have kids and pets so it feels a.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Deerfield Academy as experienced by former pupil and Claremont McKenna College student — Login or Sign Up to access full review