Milton Academy - Student Review

Milton Academy

Alumni Review #1, Class of 2003

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1. Class of 2003, enrolled at Duke University
2. Class of 2002, enrolled at Brown University
3. Class of 2000, enrolled at Yale University
4. Class of 1999, enrolled at Brown University

College Enrolled

Duke University

Home Town, State (Country)

Years Attended Boarding School

Activities During Boarding School

Debate Team- Captain Public Issues Board Milton Measure (official student paper)- Senior Editor Tennis Community Service Board- Co-Head Blue Key (Admissions Tour guide) Student Representative on a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees

1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?

Having large populations of both day and boarding students is beneficial to both groups. The boarding students add an immense amount of geographic diversity and with that, different perspectives on issues discussed and learned about in and out of the classroom. Day students also benefit from the boarding community because its presence means that the campus is always active, not just during the week from 8-6. Day students bring an awareness about the surrounding area that grounds the instituion in its surroundings more than most prep schools that are comprised of predominantly boarders. The schools proximity to Boston is an asset to all students.

2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?

Milton prepared me excellently for college. More imporant however, than just preparing me for Duke's acadedmics, Milton prepared me to take full advantge of all Duke's resources. Because of Milton's community I immediately became involved at Duke. The relationships I formed with teachers at Milton gave me the foundation for developing similar relationships with college professors in my freshman year.

3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?

I would have played on more sports teams.

4.) What did you like most about your school?

The teachers, diverse nature of the student body and the spectacular campus.

5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?

Look at some of Milton's less advertised assets. The Ayer observatory is very cool and the Williams squash courts center is a beautiful facilty, for example. Ask about study abroad and spring break opportunities. Probably 1/3 of students travel abroad in some way through Milton

1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?

Discussion is fostered by the round tables that are in every English and history class and by teachers who have a passion for teaching. The best testament to the strength of the faculty is how many teachers I still keep in touch with by e-mail and come to Milton to specifically see when I am in town. The academics are equally rigorous to college courses.

1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?

There are quite a wide range of sports to choose from. The athletics department is very well funded and there are lots of options for students who do not wish to participate in competitive athletics.

1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?

The performing arts programs are exceptional. While I was not heavily active in them, I benefited greatly from the impressive visiting artists, student plays and concerts.

1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?

Milton either offers every extra-curricular one wishes to participate in or makes it reasonably easy for a student with initiaitive to create it. During my time there were probably one or two dozen clubs created by students (not all of them lasted) from History Club to the Meditation Club and Japanese Anime. I found the extra-curriculars I participated in to be nearly as beneficial to my learning as the classes I took because of the high level of faculty involvement in many of them.

1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?

Not applicable. I was a day student.

1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.

As a day student I was always quite happy with the wide selction of foods from which to choose for lunch. However, boarders who ate at the dining hall three times a week sometimes would complain about the lack of variety or quality (in many ways this was more a function of having to eat in the same place for every meal than the actual quality of food).

1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.

The town of Milton, where the school is located, is a nice residential area. There are only a few places to eat within walking distance, but students can easily take the T (public transporation) into Boston.

2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?

Because half of the students are day students, the social life is probably not quite as vibrant as some other schools. There are however quite a few offerings on the weekends. The school makes an effort to offer students opportunities to take advantge of the Boston area like Red Sox games and plays. It is sometimes frustrating for boarders who want to attend day students' off-campus parties, but are limited by the school's more restrictive policies for boarding students.

Weekday

6:45 AM	Wakeup
8:00 AM	Arrive at school for assembly
8:15 AM	Economics AP
9:15 AM	Art History AP
10:00 AM	Free time to study or relax
11:00 AM	American Literature
12:00 AM	Lunch
12:45 AM	Study/Relax
2:15 PM	Calculus
3:00 PM	Community Service Board Meeting