Thacher School review by Yale University student.
The school's academic program was very good. The faculty was always available for help at any time of day and I really enjoyed being in class with all but two of my teachers in my four years there. The school's classes were a good split between seminar and lecture-based, but when I say lecture, I'm talking about a class that is max 18 students and incorporates a great deal of interaction between students. Most social sciences were seminars whereas science and math were generally "lectures." At the time, it seemed like Thacher had a large workload, but really, it was manageable and as I said, the faculty were very helpful. I don't think Thacher was hard enough on me in terms of trying to direct me in my courses for college. It was a little too supportive and believed in me too much so that when I got to college I struggled to find a support system like Thacher had. So I guess I'm saying Thacher was too nice to me, but I loved that while I was there.
I could not have gotten through the college process without the councilors. They did everything.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Thacher School as experienced by former pupil and Yale 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...
Thacher values personal integrity above all else. You must meet a certain test cut-off, but.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Thacher School by former pupil and Yale 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...
Ojai is one of the safest and most beautiful places you'll find, though it can be a bit dull if you're not inventive. There are weekly shuttles to whichever religious houses students request, dorm faculty are always available as are faculty, and they are very involved in student life. The health center is somewhat ineffective, but they are very friendly and loving. The days were very scheduled, which some complained about, but I liked it and the student judicial counsel is a very effective discipline structure. Ojai is an affluent, predominantly white town, and the student body is as well,.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Thacher School as experienced by former pupil and Yale University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review