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| College
Enrolled |
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Penn State |
| Home
Town, State (Country) |
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PA |
| Years
Attended Boarding School |
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4 |
| Activities
During Boarding School |
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2000-2004: member of the Madeira Equestrian Team (captain 2003-2004)
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| 1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative
to other boarding schools?
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Perhaps the most unique aspect of Madeira is its Co-Curriculum program. Classes are only taught 4 days a week, and students participate in Co-Curriculum on Wednesdays. Freshmen engage in extracurricular type classes as well as bonding activities, sophomores go to community service placements, juniors intern with a Senator or Representative on Capital Hill, and seniors can choose to intern at the business of their choice.
The experiences learned in these placements are ones you will carry with you for life. I learned so much through Co-Curriculum, especially junior year when I interned for Representative Kay Granger (TX-12). By the end of the year, I was more confident and self-assured, and I felt like if I could survive the Hill, I could survive anything. I learned how to perform in a high pressure business atmosphere as well as take direction and be self-motivated. It was an amazing experience.
One other aspect of Madeira that I always found particularly unique was the relationship between students and teachers. A majority of the teachers lived on campus with their families, and if they did not, they spent extra time at meals, sporting events, etc. It was not uncommon to have one of your teachers show up at a game to cheer you on. The majority of my teachers made a concerned effort to get to know their students outside of the classroom. I ate meals with them, spent time in their homes, babysat their kids, took trips to Georgetown with them... the list goes on. Within the classroom, they were excited to teach and always made an effort to make learning fun. It was a pleasure to be able to learn from these amazing individuals. |
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| 2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school? |
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| I grew up so much at Madeira. Looking at myself as a freshman, to where I am now, it is amazing how much I've changed, and Madeira facilitated so much of that for me. I know that I will always consider Madeira as a second home... not necessarily the physical place, but the people I met. I learned so much about myself and about the world during high school, and I know it wouldn't have been possible without this place. |
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| 3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience? |
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| My advice is to stick it out. I will be the first to tell you that both I and my roommate had a tough time at Madeira our freshman year. We cried and begged to come home and we both almost transferred. However, I knew that I had to finish what I had started, and I am so proud of myself for that. I don't know one person who regretted sticking out the bad times, because come graduation day, its all worth it. Some people might complain and whine about how they can't wait to get out of there, but it's all talk. It is a great experience if you just open your mind up. |
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| 4.) What did you like most about your school? |
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| The people. |
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| 5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school? |
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| Just have a good time. Don't get into trouble. Study hard. Try to live in Main your senior year. And get to know your teachers, they have so much to teach you beyond the classroom (especially in the history department!!!). |
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| 1.)
Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it? |
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| Madeira, academically speaking, is not for the weak of heart. The shortened school week meant that we learned at an increased pace. We covered the same material that most schools cover in 180 days over 120. However, I was well prepared for college. While my friends at Penn State are pulling all nighters, I have enough experience in time management to get things done at the appropriate time. Classes were difficult enough, but there was always help available, whether it be from one on one conferences with your teachers, your friends, or your advisor. I know very few girls who were happy with a B. It is a very academically demanding environment, and it makes the students strive to always do better. |
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Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it? |
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| While Madeira is not known for being an athletic powerhouse, school spirit was still abundant. The swimming team is still the strongest program - state champions for 4 out of the past 5 years is quite an accomplishment. Varsity tennis always did well, and the riding program is very strong. The facilities are very nice, as well. The Hurd Sports Complex is one of the nicest amongst area high schools. |
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Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it? |
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| My involvement with the arts program was mostly through watching plays and musicals put on throughout the year. I never ceased to be impressed, with both the quality of the acting as well as the amazing sets constructed. |
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Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it? |
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| Extra curricular activities were available to everyone through the Co-curriculum program, as well as various student-run clubs and organizations. Events, such as volunteer work, were well publicized through e-mails, announcements at the weekly All School Assembly, and fliers around campus. |
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Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it? |
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| I loved living in the dorms, and by senior year, most of my friends who were day students wished they could live on our floors with us. I was fortunate enough to have the same roommate for all four years (she is still my best friend to this day), and senior year we, along with 6 of our other close friends, took over the top floor of one dorm. It was the most amazing experience to live with these people for a whole year, and I miss the atmosphere.
Dorm life was also fun because of house adults. They constantly were leaving food out for us, inviting us into their apartment for meals or to watch special events on TV, etc. On a snow day last winter, my house adult invited us into her home and cooked us pancakes for breakfast. It was so nice to have those little comforts while living away from home.
Room selection was done by seniority, with student government officials getting first pick out of all of the classes. The rooms were generally quite large (with the exception of singles); my sister, who goes to Kent in CT, had a room her freshman year about half the size of my freshman room. I never had much to complain about in terms of the rooms. We also got wireless Internet, which was both a blessing and a boon (procrastination is much easier!). |
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Describe the dining arrangements at your school. |
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Though its hard to not complain about boarding school food, it actually wasn't that bad. I usually enjoyed it, and if not, there was always Chinese food or Italian deli delivery. Also, a campus resident was usually willing to run you down to the local sandwich place for some gourmet stuff.
The dining hall was redone this past year, and though I haven't eaten there, I did get to see it and it is top of the line and gorgeous. |
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| 1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area. |
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| Madeira itself is located in a very suburban area, so it is impossible to walk anywhere. However, it is within 10 minutes of Tysons Corner Mall, and 20 minutes from Georgetown, Washington DC, a Metro station, etc. Basically, the world is at your fingertips. Sedans are available to take you anywhere you needed (because cars are not allowed), and generally I can't complain about the locale. |
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Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it? |
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I met the most amazing people in the world at Madeira. I still stay in touch with most of the girls I graduated with. Even if we don't speak for a couple of weeks or see each other very often, as soon as we get back in touch, its as if nothing ever changed.
While I didn't have the typical high school experience (homecoming, prom, etc.), I wouldn't trade any of it for the high school experience I had. I loved it. |
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| 7:45 AM | AP Calc | | 9:00 AM | English | | 9:45 AM | All School Meeting | | 10:45 AM | History of Science and Technology | | 12:00 AM | lunch | | 12:45 AM | AP Government and Politics | | 2:00 PM | free period | | 2:45 PM | Physics | | 4:00 PM | riding | |
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| 10:00 AM | wake up | | 11:00 AM | brunch | | 12:00 AM | ride at the barn | | 3:00 PM | hang out around the dorm | | 5:00 PM | go out to dinner in Georgetown, go to the mall, see a movie, etc. | | 12:00 PM | more hanging out around the dorm | |
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