The Gryphon Gazette

By: Aditya G. ‘27

When I submitted my Crystal application in fifth grade, I didn’t realize that I was making the biggest decision of my life thus far. In this article, I will be reflecting on my sixth-grade application and comparing my past expectations to my current reality, and how I have changed since then.

The essay I will be reviewing responds to the prompt, “Why is Crystal the right school for you?” At the time of applying, I said that Crystal was a good fit because of the great academics, inclusive environment, and opportunities to try new things. Regarding academics, my application said, “I learned that Crystal values academic excellence. That’s important to me because it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I am curious and like to learn new things.” Reflecting on this, I can concur that Crystal has been great for me. I enjoy the majority of my classes, many of which introduce interesting concepts, overall fulfilling the expectations I had as an applicant. 

On the social side, I said, “On Shadow Day, I felt included. I felt like I belonged at Crystal and was part of the community.” That sense of belonging was definitely a major reason I decided to apply, and is something that still stands true today. While I applied to other schools, no other place felt like the same friendly and welcoming atmosphere I experienced at Crystal. Some of my friends who have transferred into Crystal share similar opinions to mine, often describing Crystal as a genuinely kind and supportive environment. Finally, I said, “One thing I learned from my friend at Crystal is that the school encourages students to try things outside their comfort zone.” With the large array of opportunities such as clubs, sports, electives, and more, there is something for students of all different interests. Personally, I was given the chance to step out of my comfort zone in middle school, which included joining new sports, trying debate, and experimenting with different arts. To this day, I appreciate that Crystal promotes a “try everything” attitude that led me to discover new personal passions, for example, in graphic design. 

Overall, I have really enjoyed the Crystal experience, and I am sure that sixth-grade Adi would be extremely excited to know what lies ahead.