Ransom Everglades School review by Brown University student.
I have nothing but the best to say about Ransom Everglades. With only a few exceptions, the faculty there are incredible. I also formed great bonds with some of my teachers and still keep in contact with them on a regular basis. Ransom faculty had me thinking "outside the box." It wasn't just about the AP score at the end of the year (though I always felt prepared, even without studying) but really about thinking of that subject in terms of everyday life. Mostly, I learned how to be a great writer, a skill which I am most grateful to have as a first year college student. From the first day of 9th grade, we learn how to write argumentative and appealing essays. While some classes tended to be more lecture-based (it's hard to escape this in math, for example) I would say most of my classes were discussion-based. In fact, all of my Language, English, and Social Studies classes were physically structured in a circle to promote Harkness-style discussion. Class size ranged from about 12 to 20, with the majority of them no larger than 15. On the down side, a lot of work was expected from us. With about 20-30 hours of work a week, I worked just as hard in 10th grade as I do now in college. However, the upside of this is that I am more prepared than most of the kids in my classes here at Brown. The faculty were always available to talk with me and there was room for both highly advanced and average students through our AP program (that Ransom Everglades enforced strict admission into).
College counseling begins in the middle of 11th grade. There are 3 counselors for the.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Ransom Everglades School as experienced by former pupil and Brown University 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...
It is hard to analyze the admissions process because most of us get accepted in.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Ransom Everglades School by former pupil and Brown University 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...
I think there is a very positive culture at Ransom Everglades. Unlike some other prep schools in our local community, there are less clicks and more a sense of family. However, there are constant disputes between the administration and the students that needs to be solved in coming years. Students feel the administration is too strict in discipline, especially regarding matters off campus. For example, if a student is heard to have thrown a weekend house party (where he serves alcohol), though nobody was hurt and though it had nothing to do with the school, Ransom reserves the right (and.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Ransom Everglades School as experienced by former pupil and Brown University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review