Category: Private School Admissions

Is Diversity Really Needed- In Schools?

Is Diversity Really Needed In Schools?
~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Some people view diversity as a nebulous and intangible descriptor, a court-ordered societal mandate or, in some cases, even unconstitutional.  In truth, diversity is an invaluable asset and in the financial sense has an unlimited ROI.  We live in a competitive and interconnected global society; not in the small, homogenous and insular communities that many may perceive.  Diversity has always been America’s greatest asset!  Diversity is a necessary precondition to our democracy and has provided the impetus for engagement in the full kaleidoscope of “American culture”.

In this series:  “Is Diversity Really Needed?”, I will address the importance of diversity in (1) Schools – Prek-12th, (2) College Admissions, (3) Business & Commerce, and (4) International Relations.

Diversity in schools (PreK-12th):  Learning in a truly culturally, ethnically, racially, socio-economically and visibly diverse school community is a valuable asset in a global society where local as well as international communication are essential.  Does diversity really matter?  Does it really matter if a child interacts with another student or a faculty member who is socio-economically, ethnically, culturally and racially different?  Perhaps it is not important to some.  However, studies show that interacting with others who are different can bring new ideas, benefits and advantages.  Diversity improves the way children think.  It inspires independent thinking and intellectual risk-taking.

By disrupting conformity and insularity, racial and ethnic diversity prompts and enhances students’ analytical and creative thinking, problem-solving, cultural and communicative intelligences and cognitive development and performance.  A diverse school environment, not one of homogeneity and sameness, has been proven by studies to improve the learning environment for children.

Diversity contributes ingenuity, creativity, cognitive friction and intellectual vibrancy to a school community.   Schools are entrusted with the responsibility of preparing students for tomorrow’s world.  Exposure to different cultures, ethnicities and races and learning to respect them is a formative experience for children in a world where cultures are more than ever interdependent and interconnected.  How will an adult interact with different cultures and appreciate other ethnicities and races if he/she has been culturally isolated or developed and learned misconceptions as a child?  Diversity precludes cultural-intelligence and competitive disadvantages.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs;  graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.  He also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools.

2018 Top 5 U.S. Junior Boarding Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

In my previous blog: “Why Parents Choose Junior Boarding Schools”, I described the features, advantages and benefits of junior boarding school.

Here is a list of the top five U.S. junior boarding schools where the primary focus is boarding:

  1. Rumsey Hall School: Coed – Washington, CT
  2. Eaglebrook School: All-boys – Deerfield, MA
  3. The Fessenden School:  All-boys – West Newton, MA
  4. Hillside School: All-boys – Marlborough, MA
  5. Bement School:  Coed – Deerfield, MA

Pictured: Ben Tuff, Director of Admissions and Matt Hoeniger, Headmaster, Rumsey Hall School, with Dr. Paul Lowe at Rumsey Hall.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.  Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into top U.S. private schools even after they have been wait-listed and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools, where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where there children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

Why Parents Choose U.S. Junior Boarding Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

U.S. junior boarding schools, which are primarily located in New England and New York, are independent elementary and middle schools with a boarding program for middle school students.  A few schools take boarders beginning as early as the 3rd grade.

Not all students are required to board.  Many choose to return home on weekends.  But for students whose homes are outside of the United States, junior boarding schools are a good introduction to the academic setting that exists at New England boarding high schools, and entry to a junior boarding school can lead to acceptance to these schools.

A junior boarding school offers benefits for middle school aged students including but limited to:  24/7 supervision and learning;  a myriad of sports and extracirricular activities;  development and strengthening of admirable character traits;  encouragement of teamwork;  and an opportunity for international students to improve their English and cultural skills.  In essence, the common philosophy amongst these schools is that they develop students’ academically, athletically, artistically, socially, and ethically.

Junior boarding schools are also identified as “feeder schools” to top boarding high schools, in much the same way that private high schools are considered “feeder schools” to top American colleges.  Admissions officers in top boarding high schools expect to see applications from these schools each year, and have established relationships with the secondary-school placement offices at junior boarding schools due to familiarity.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international families and students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding schools and day schools.  Dr. Lowe also helps U,S, and international students gain admissions into their top choice private schools after they have been wait-listed and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where their children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

Top All-Boys Private High Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Many parents choose to send their boys to all-boys schools.  Research supports the fact boys learn differently than girls and that the fact that these schools focus entirely on boys and are beneficial to their confidence and learning style.

Based on Niche and our research here is a list of  top U.S. all-boys private high schools:

  • Collegiate School – New York, NY
  • St. Albans School – Washington, D.C.
  • Brunswick School – Greenwich, CT
  • Roxbury Latin School – West Roxbury, MA
  • Belmont Hill School – Belmont, MA
  • Haverford School – Haverford, PA
  • Avon Old Farms School – Avon, CT
  • Delbarton School – Morristown, NJ
  • The Woodhall School – Bethlehem, CT
  • St. Marks School of Texas – Dallas, TX
  • McCallie School – Chattanooga, TN

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.   Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into their top-choice private schools even after they have been waitlisted and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where their children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

It’s 2018 – Admissions Year

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Welcome to Dr.Paul Lowe’s Admissions Expert Blog – 2018

Parents and students are constantly in the throes of the journey for:

  • Private School Admissions:  The application deadline for the top and competitive day and boarding schools is January 15th.
  • College Admissions:  Early decision and action acceptances, rejection and deferred notices have been sent to students.  It’s time for high school seniors to think about what to do next regarding post-decision strategies.  Final decisions: March -April.  For high school juniors, you’ll be hearing from colleges in 12 months!
  • Transfer Admissions:  Most applications are due in March.  Therefore, it’s time to complete applications and most importantly it’s time to complete those personal statements.
  • BS/MD Admissions:  Competition for coveted spots is heightened based on the increased number of applicants last year which was reflected by the number of rejected applicants.
  • Medical School Admissions: College juniors should begin to draft their personal statements, schedule to take their MCATs no later than May and obtain letter of recommendations.
  • Law School Admissions:  Senior year – If you’re still in college, have your college Registrar submit updated transcript that reflects your Fall semester grades and
  • Graduate School Admissions:  Junior year – Start your search on graduate school programs. Once you have conducted your thorough searches for prospective institutions, make an alphabetical list of between 10 and 20 programs, regardless of what you presently know or have heard about them. Write them all down or put them on a spreadsheet.

Each year, admissions policies and strategies change, so stay tuned for my upcoming, informative, helpful and thought-provoking admissions blogs!

Dr. Paul Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs;  graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.  He also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools.

2017 Private School Admissions Trends in Review

2017 Private School Admissions Trend Dr Paul Lowe
~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

It’s days before the new year (2018) and we have observed continued trends throughout this year in private schools and admissions.

Here are some highlights of trends in 2017 that U.S. and international families may need to follow in 2018.

  • Admissions emphasis on “Character”:  Schools have begun to use Character Skills Assessment (CSA) which will offer insights into an applicant’s character attributes and add great value to the holistic evaluation of applicants to make informed admissions decisions of applicants.
  • Top private schools continue to expand:  Schools continue to build more buildings and facilities to accommodate students.  For example, such Manhattan elite schools as:  Trinity School, Collegiate School and Chapin Schools are expanding
  • STEAM Education:  Schools are increasingly incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) education as a part of their curriculum.
  • U.S. schools are opening more international branches:  Schools opening international campuses:  Dwight School in Dubai and The Avenues: The World School in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • International students:  More international students are seeking admissions to U.S. private high schools.
  • Top 5 U.S. Boarding High Schools:  The top 5 U.S. boarding high schools – 1. Andover, 2. Exeter, 3. St. Paul’s, 4. Lawrenceville,  and 5. Choate.  Over the past 5 years, these schools have been sending 25-30 students each year to Ivy League colleges and universities.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.  Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into top U.S. private schools even after they have been waitlisted and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where there children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

Top Boarding Schools with Fencing Programs

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Many U.S. as well as international middle school and high school students are actively involved and compete in fencing as an interscholastic sport.  As result, many parents seek boarding schools that support the fencing-athlete.

Here is a list of top boarding schools with fencing programs.

  1. Phillips Academy Andover
  2. Phillips Exeter Academy
  3. Lawrenceville School
  4. Hun School of Princeton
  5. Dana Hall School

 

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.  Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into their top-choice private schools even after they have been waitlisted and rejected.

Top Boarding Schools with Equestrian Programs

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Many U.S. as well as international middle school and high school students are actively involved and compete in equestrian as an interscholastic sport.  As a result, many parents seek boarding schools that support the equestrian-athlete.

Here is a list of top U.S. boarding schools with equestrian programs:

  1. Taft School
  2. Loomis Chaffee
  3. Kent School
  4. Canterbury School
  5. Dana Hall School
  6. The Ethel Walker School
  7. The Thacher School

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.   Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international families and students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.  Dr. Lowe also helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into their top choice private schools after they have been wait-listed and rejected.

2018 Top 10 Connecticut Private High Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

As more Connecticut public school districts face budgetary cuts, increase classroom sizes and social issues in high schools, more parents are choosing private high schools as an alternative.  Additionally, the growing number international families choosing Connecticut private high schools as well as families relocating from Manhattan to Connecticut (primarily Fairfield County) has increased the application pool and competition to gain admissions into coveted slots.

If you are looking for top schools based on college admissions acceptance, Niche released its 2018 Best Private High Schools ranking: Connecticut private high schools.

Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools released its latest ranking of the best private schools in the US, specifically highlighting the best schools that prepare students for elite colleges.  By elite colleges, I am referring to colleges parents already know about: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, UPenn, Cornell, Dartmouth, Stanford, MIT, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.

Here are the top 10 private high schools in Connecticut by rank:

  1. Choate Rosemary Hall
  2. The Hotchkiss School
  3. Hopkins School
  4. Kent School
  5. Greenwich Academy
  6. Taft School
  7. Loomis Chaffee School
  8. Brunswick School
  9. Miss Porter’s School
  10. Westminister School

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group network.  He and his team of admissions advisors, through the admissions affiliates, Greenwich Admissions Advisors and Private School Admissions Advisors help students gain admissions to elite private schools in throughout Connecticut.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.

2018 Top 10 New Jersey Private High Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

In New Jersey, the competition to gain admissions to top private high schools is heating up.   As more and more parents discover the major challenges in suburban high schools:  (a) large class sizes, (b) not much flexibility when it comes to cirriculum (c) they are under more bureaucratic red tape when it comes to regulations and rules, (d) larger school counselor-student ratio;  they are willing to forgo public school education (and pay tuition), which increases the application pool and competition to gain admissions into coveted slots.

If you are looking for top schools based on college admissions acceptance, Niche released its 2018 Best Private High Schools ranking: New Jersey private high schools.

Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools released its latest ranking of the best private schools in the US, specifically highlighting the best schools that prepare students for elite colleges.  By elite colleges, I am referring to colleges parents already know about: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, UPenn, Cornell, Dartmouth, Stanford, MIT, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.

Here are the top 10 private high schools in New Jersey by rank:

  1. The Lawrenceville School
  2. Newark Academy
  3. Dwight-Englewood School
  4. Princeton Day School
  5. Peddie School
  6. The Pingry School
  7. Rutgers Preparatory School
  8. Delbarton School
  9. Kent Place School
  10. The Montclair-Kimberly Academy

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group network.  He and his team of admissions advisors, through the admissions affiliates, New Jersey Admissions Advisors  and Private School Admissions Advisors help students gain admissions to elite private schools in Manhattan and surrounding areas.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where there children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.