Matthew Carroll

What is your name? What grade are you currently in academically, if applicable? What year is this for you at this school or what year did you graduate? 

My name is Matthew Carroll, and I graduated from Trinity-Pawling School in 2019.

Which preparatory school did you attend, and what key factors influenced your decision to enroll at that institution? 

I decided to attend prep school after CAHA limited California to four AAA hockey programs. I wanted more exposure and the chance to play in a stronger hockey environment on the East Coast.

Please describe a typical day during the competitive season, including your schedule and the balance between training, academics, and other commitments.

During the season, I usually had three classes a day followed by a sit-down lunch with the whole school. After my last class, I’d head to the rink for practice or weight-room sessions lasting about two hours. On weekends, the school offered open-ice sessions that I used to work on my skating and skills.

How does your daily routine differ during the off-season? Outline your typical activities, including any training, rest, or personal development efforts. 

In the off-season, I had morning lifts two or three times a week starting at 5 a.m. After lifting, I’d shower, eat breakfast, and be in class by 8 a.m. If I wasn’t playing another sport, afternoons were mine to train, study, or relax.

How did you manage to balance your athletic responsibilities with your academic coursework? Feel free to share specific strategies or resources that were particularly helpful. 

Prep school life was easy to manage because there were few distractions. Teachers lived on campus and were always available for extra help, so there were no excuses for falling behind.

What are your professional objectives over the next five years, and in what ways has attending a preparatory school contributed to or shaped these goals? 

Prep school helped me earn a full-ride scholarship to Pepperdine University, where I studied economics. I now work in commercial real estate and credit prep school for building my work ethic and discipline.

If you could offer one piece of advice to prospective students considering a similar preparatory program, what would it be and why? 

Make sure you know the coach and where you fit before committing. Use prep school as a development tool, not just a shortcut—work hard, perform, and keep improving.