Interlochen is unlike any other boarding school I've ever encountered. Not only is it an arts-based college prep program but it is home to traditions like the Melody Cafe, Monday Mall Bus, winter ballet (Nutcracker, Coppelia, or Sleeping Beauty), spring arts juries, coffeehouses, dances on the Opera Field, and opening night nerves. It is diverse, exciting, and a one-of-a-kind experience. The blue and blue uniform is a source of unity as well as creativity and no two students will ever look the same in it.

The best thing about going to boarding school is that you can prepare for college-like freedoms while under the watchful eye of House Mothers and Resident Advisors. You learn to manage your free time and balance homework with hanging out. You experience living with people from different backgrounds and traditions. You get the benefit of a network of friends from different groups on campus. Popularity isn't a concern at Interlochen. Social circles are not exclusive. No one cares what stores your clothes are from. It's an incredible change from the typical highschool atmosphere.

If I could have done something differently I would have taken better advantage of the academic resources Interlochen offered. I only took the remaining classes I needed to graduate instead of taking everything available to me. Interlochen offers incredible classes like Ecology and Western Thought that everyone should take, whether or not you need the science or political science credits. You will never regret spending the extra hour in a class taught by Mr. Delp, Driscoll (Mr. or Mrs.), Mr. Chamberlin, Mrs. Gaede, or Monsieur M(urphy).

I loved what is commonly referred to as "Interlochen Magic." The atmosphere, the memories, the performances, the classes, the sponsor groups, the teeny tiny dorm rooms, the practice room conversations, the random walks in the woods, the walk down the road between Hemingway and Picasso when the trees are green--you can get that feeling anywhere else. To this day, Interlochen remains one of my most cherished memories and I will never forget it.

Get to know people outside of your major. Go to as many performances and exhibits and readings as you can, even if you don't know any of the students involved. Get to know them. Get to know the professors personally. Spend time at Thursday Toast Day with Mom in Hemingway--you won't regret that. Hang out with your RAs... they are real people after all. Most of all, experience everything but don't take yourself too seriously. There is plenty of time in college and as a "grown up" to do that.

I loved the classes at Interlochen because of the specificity and choice available. There is no general English class but rather classes like Contemporary Classics, Southern Literature, The Short Story, and Russian Literature. The foreign language departments are very strong, especially French, which excels every year in the national highschool French exam and offers programs like the Sunday French film in the Mott Rotunda and (my favorite) "Jeudi Gras". The Math and Science programs are exceptional and offer popular programs like the Math/Science camping trip and the annual Physics Catapult competition. The professors are very interested in the classes they teach and really care about what the students are learning. They offer tutorial hours every week in which students can ask for extra help or just do their homework in the presence of other students and the professors in case they have a question. They are not easy classes but you will learn a lot and will do well if you actually do the work.

It doesn't exist outside of the dance department (which is more athletic than most football teams I've seen). We're not a school that needs athletics for school spirit or extra curricular activities. We have the arts to keep us happy.

Interlochen has the best professors and students in the country all in one place. It is the most incredible community of artists, dancers, musicians, writers, and theater artists. Although many classes are limited to students enrolled in that major, there are several in each discipline open to all Interlochen students which allows everyone the opportunity to learn more about all areas of the arts. Although I was a music major at Interlochen, I am a Theater and Math major at Emory with minors in Dance and Music. I was exposed to theater and dance while at IAA in classes as well as by supporting my friends in those departments.

From the "Road to Wellness" after-dinner activities to Student Council, the Math Team to the Yearbook, the Red Wheelbarrow literary publication to the (mandatory) community service, the student with time to spare at Interlochen has many options.

I lived in TJ both years in which two double occupancy rooms share a bathroom. The rooms are small, but cozy and sufficient. They are updated constantly from new furniture to Ethernet and phone lines. Generally people keep their doors open and hang out in the halls and lobbies as much as in their rooms. Sign-in is at 10 on school nights and midnight on weekend nights which leaves plenty of time for required homework and sleeping. There is an RA on each hall that is generally a good balance between cool older sister who mediates roommate fights and caring mother figure when you are really really (really) sick. Rooms are assigned by the RAs based on a questionnaire students fill out as well as any specific rooming requests from returning students. There are also two designated roommate swap times throughout the first semester for those who just don't get along with their roommates.

Well... it's cafeteria food. There's not much else to say about it. There are always options for the picky eater like multiple cereal choices, a vegetarian salad bar, a deli line, and a hot line. Plus during the warmer months students can eat outside on the picnic benches or down by the lake.

Interlochen itself is a very small and quaint town. There are more trees than people and about one school, one church, one radio station, one grocery store, (two pizza places), and one campsite. However, Traverse City is just a 20 minute drive and there are buses that go into town on Sundays for church and Mondays for the mall and downtown shopping time. And the pizza places make regular deliveries :-)

Interlochen is a very social place since you are not only living and studying with your classmates, you are creating and experiencing something you love with them. You are spend several hours every day with kids in your discipline but also get to hang out with your friends at jazz combo concerts and dances, recitals and plays, movie nights and lock-ins. No matter what time it is or what you want to do there is always someone to do it with, guaranteed. By the time I graduated I had spent time with nearly every member of my graduating class.