St. Paul's School review by University of Pennsylvania student.
Courses: Quality and availability of courses at St. Paul's School is quite extensive- the school's Humanities program is highly emphasized, as History and English is combined into a kind of double course that is quite effective. Math courses extend from Vector and BC calculus to Geometry. Each course in the sciences and Mathematics have honor sections. There will be a new math/science building in the works, as the current ones are starting to show their age. Teachers: Extremely helpful and very available for extra help/independent projects suggested by a student. A lot have PhDs- most are ex-college professors from very good schools (Ivys etc.) Class size: small, intimate. Effective. Work Load: You will need to work hard for classes- but there is help available for tutors, study halls,etc. Overall: School does not over emphasize student's exams. They pride themselves on encourage a holistic learning approach.
You will start discussing college selections by sophomore year, and then assigned a counselor that.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at St. Paul's School as experienced by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania 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...
SSATS should be taken, aim for 83 and higher if possible. School will take a.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to St. Paul's School by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania 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...
Quality of Life Food: B-B+ Cafeteria looks like hogwarts, eating hours are not a long as desired for dinner, but the food is always rotated, hardly ever repeated, and big holiday feasts are big deals and excellent. There are also twice a week sit down formal seated meals, that afterwards convene with coffee and tea that acts as a relaxed session that is highly social and mandatory. Housing: A-B Depends on the house, some room are even double story. But all have excellent heating, are not falling apart, and are not infested with mice or bugs. I have never seen a roach.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at St. Paul's School as experienced by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania student — Login or Sign Up to access full review