<p>Hey guys, it’s me again. im really sorry to distract from the conversation, but since the op wanted differences between exeter and andover, i think i should correct the above poster. @andover2016, while i think your enthusiasm for your new school is great, be sure to check facts before you list them (just to avoid confusion). I looked online and found that Andover has 102 language courses while Exeter has 134. Both schools have fantastic language departments though, so you can’t go wrong with either.</p>
<p>If you are a history buff, one interesting fact is that Samuel Phillips Jr (founder of Andover) was very active in the revolutionary war (providing gun powder and volunteering to fight at bunker hill). On the other hand, John Phillips (founder of Exeter), who was more conservative, tried not to take sides (play sides) and avoid conflict. Both men were ministers and John was financially very generous to Samuel. I find the roots of the schools interesting because over 200 years later I would describe Exeter as more conservative and Andover students more rebellious. No judgement here though either way; both fantastic- just musing…</p>
<p>Sorry about my mistakes, I glanced quickly. It appears that Andover has more courses for languages like Arabic and Japanese than Exeter, but less classes such as French and Spanish electives and cultural courses.</p>
<p>worriedOne1000,</p>
<p>I went through this exercise last year. Here’s what I concluded regarding some of the issues discussed so far.</p>
<p>Some like the stark modernism of the library at Exeter; others prefer the traditional elegance of the wood paneled reading rooms of the Andover library. Some like the compactness of the Exeter campus; others favor the more expansive Andover campus because it feels like a mini-Ivy League college. It’s a matter of taste, and only your taste matters. </p>
<p>Walking to class is not an issue at either school. Neither is prestige, as Andover and Exeter are both well regarded in America and abroad.</p>
<p>Foreign language shouldn’t be a deciding factor either because both schools have outstanding language programs. The only caveat is whether you wish to take language courses beyond the fourth level of instruction. If so, consider Andover because it offers sixth level courses in Chinese, French, Latin, German, Japanese, and Russian, as well as fifth level classes in Spanish. By contrast, a cursory review suggests that Exeter offers no language course beyond the fourth level except for a term long 600 level class in Latin. </p>
<p>The town of Andover is probably nicer than the town of Exeter. But it doesn’t matter much because you will spend most of your time happily ensconced in the bubble of your campus, whether you attend Andover or Exeter. Nevertheless, being relatively close to the excitement of big city life and the airport in Boston is a definite advantage for Andover students. </p>
<p>When I get a chance, I’ll post again with some additional food for thought.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for all your help, everybody!</p>
<p>Hi, I was accepted as a 10th grader for both andover and exeter. I have read through both admission packets and found qualities, courses, and styles of each school that I ejoy. I have a couple of questions. I know exeter embraces the harness method, andi love the method. Does andover dosomething similar? Also, how is it entering as a new 10h grader for each school. Lastly, how is the food. Thank you!!</p>
<ol>
<li>Andover supposedly does something similar to Harkness in English and History…I believe not so much in Math and Science, whereas Exeter has Harkness in about every course.</li>
<li>Sorry – don’t know the answer to this one! Was not admitted, but waitlisted this year, haha.</li>
<li>Judging by the attitudes of my tour-guides at both of the schools, Andover food is supposed to be better. My friend who goes to Exeter says so also.</li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this helps. 
If I’m wrong, anyone, feel free to correct me! I do not go to either of those schools so I am not certain. :)</p>
<p>Why are you answering without even going to Andover, seriously? The OP is seeking answers from students with actual experience; not some anecdotal hearsay, just sayin… When it comes to food, someones gourmet dish can be some one else’s worst nightmare. My brother likes Broccoli, I hate it. :D</p>
<p>That is very true :)</p>
<p>I don’t think upper level coursework in languages is an issue at Exeter. Latin has 500 level. French and Spanish have two year’s worth of 400 level courses. (The number of the course isn’t all that relevant–Exeter actually offers very few 500 level classes, but 400 level courses are often college-level) Other languages have “special topics” courses offered for more advanced students, and those will run with just a few students if there’s interest. I suspect that when you get down to it, there just isn’t much difference between the two schools where language is concerned. </p>
<p>One nice thing about the Exeter town (for some kids anyway) is the way the town and school are intertwined. The school bookstore, for example, is on the main commercial street. It’s as easy a walk to the town coffee shop as it is to the library. In that sense, the town of Exeter is contained in the school bubble. But it is smaller.</p>
<p>Boston’s readily accessible IF your parents give permission–there’s a commuter rail within walking distance, but I can honestly say that you’ll probably be too busy to take a full day on week-ends to head into the city. There’s an airport shuttle for breaks that runs to both Manchester and Boston–the Boston shuttle takes a little over an hour, I think. Again, not sure how any of this compares to Andover.</p>
<p>I do agree that the biggest difference is probably the whole Harkness approach, which really requires a very different way of approaching studying and class time and, I think, does end up shaping a different kind of student–again, not better or worse, but different. The best way to get a sense for that difference is to visit a class–especially one that you wouldn’t normally associate with Harkness (though my favorite class to observe was history!) </p>
<p>Another interesting pro or con of Exeter, depending on your point of view, is that, with very few exceptions, students change courses and teachers each 10-week term. So each term is a completely fresh start. </p>
<p>As for the food, I think it’s quite good when I visit. There’s always a big salad bar full of good stuff and several entree choices, and fresh fruit. It’s not like a restaurant, but honestly, I think my kid prefers school meals to home these days! However, I’ve never eaten at Andover, so no basis for comparison there. </p>
<p>You guys are having the most civilized Andover vs. Exeter discussion I’ve seen yet on CC! Nice!</p>
<p>That’s why I titled this thread “Andover and Exeter” instead of “Andover vs. Exeter”. :)</p>
<p>Are students permitted to change teachers/courses in the middle of a term/trimester if they feel like it’s not working out?</p>
<p>Do most students have roommates or do they have single rooms?</p>
<p>It would be really difficult, I think to change courses mid-term, though I know it happens sometimes when students are in over their heads in, say, math. In general, I think the 10 weeks go by quickly enough, and then there’s nearly a new teacher and a chance to add/drop courses for the next term. Interestingly, when my kid has gotten a teacher two terms in a row, it has always been a favorite teacher!</p>
<p>Most students have roommates their first year then singles after that unless they want a roommate. It does vary, though, from dorm to dorm, and it’s possible to request a single.</p>
<p>Hi! I have a few questions regarding STEM subjects in Exeter and Andover.</p>
<p>How do Andover’s and Exeter’s math curriculum compare? Exeter’s seems much more in depth, judging from their problem sets online and from how five of the twelve 2011 USAMO winners attended Exeter. (But then again, that’s hard to say because the PEA Math Team recruits much of the math talent throughout the United States.)</p>
<p>For instance, what is the highest level math course that a 9th grade student is allowed to take at Andover? (I head that at Exeter, it’s T3X, and it’s taught by Zuming Feng am I right?)</p>
<p>Also, is Exeter or Andover better at science? Andover seems like it has a lot of major science research stuff, and I haven’t heard much about Exeter in, say, Siemens or Intel. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help! I’m sure both have stellar STEM programs, but any difference in how these subjects are taught and how much emphasis is placed on each one could change my decision in choosing between Exeter and Andover.</p>
<p>Hmm… Lets just say Andover doesn’t have Zuming Feng!</p>
<p>Both are amazing schools! You can’t be wrong by choosing either one. In past few years, Andover had better matriculation on ivy+Stanford whereas Exter had better matriculation on MIT and other STEM schools.</p>
<p>[Boarding</a> School Stats : Matriculation Stats](<a href=“http://matriculationstats.org/boarding-school-stats]Boarding”>http://matriculationstats.org/boarding-school-stats)</p>
<p>Can any Andover/Exeter students speak about the social dynamic at the individual schools? Both schools use non sibi as a motto, is that carried out in the feel of each school? The Andover website and admissions reps emphasize “nice” kids…do you feel that as a student there? I know neither school is “hand holding,” but there can still be a strong community feel, any thoughts?</p>
<p>@amanch
Exeter has several options for advanced math for new 9th and 10th graders (about 5 different levels). Mr. Feng is a wonderful teacher, but the T3X class is very demanding of time. It was not that difficult, but the problem sets were very long each day. My daughter tried it and loved Mr. Feng, but dropped down one level in math because she was balancing sports, clubs, physics and classics as well. Several other students made the same choice. So placement in math is about your willingness to spend the time, as well as past experience and ability. Trying several different levels of math is encouraged if you are a high level student, so you will find the class you are happy with pretty quickly. You can also change levels down the road.</p>
<p>One of the most curious urban myths on CC is that Andover surpasses Exeter in the Humanities and that Exeter excels Andover in Math and Science. The simple truth is that each school is academically excellent in all fields. </p>
<p>At Andover, placement tests determine the level of math you take. When you do take advanced Math courses at PA, you will learn from top teachers and study with some of the best Math students from Asia, India, Europe, and America. This will also be true if you chose to attend PEA.</p>
<p>Andover offers an amazing variety of Math courses. In addition to ten 300-level courses in Pre-Calculus, there are multiple 500 level tracks in Calculus at PA that exceed the AP curriculum in both AB and BC Calculus. There are also six 600 level Math courses including Linear Algebra, Calculus of Vector Functions, and Seminars that study subjects such as Chaos, Fractals, Discrete Mathematics, and Number Theory. </p>
<p>Advanced college level coursework is also available in the Sciences at PA. For example, in Biology, you can take Cellular Biology and do laboratory research in Molecular Biology; in Chemistry, you can begin your college pre-med curriculum by taking Human Anatomy and Organic Chemistry; and in Physics you can study Fluid Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, and Relativity.</p>
<p>As a result, the pertinent question for newly admitted students isn’t whether Andover is better than Exeter in the Humanities or whether Exeter excels Andover in Math and Science. It is which school is a better fit for you to get a great education in the Humanities, Math, and Science. </p>
<p>Fit is not a mathematical or scientific formula. It is a feeling. Your comparative analysis and research is important. But when all is said and done, one school will have a greater resonance for you than the other. Then your decision will be easier to make. At least, it was for me. I made my choice early in the process. And I’m glad I did. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>PERFECT, blueisbest.</p>
<p>Science at Andover and Exeter are both superb, but they are taught very differently. Exeter uses Harkness for science, and Andover does not. </p>
<p>It helps to visit an Exeter science class on revisit days to see the difference. At Exeter, the 12 students and teacher review the lab and then split up into smaller groups and run the experiment at smaller tables. The technology is amazing, the data from the students’ tables are collected automatically from the equipment and then instantaneously graphed and shown on a projection white board (compiled by some cool program) and the groups come back to the Harkness table and discuss. They discuss it all while facing each other (the class we saw was about force, mass and acceleration), so they can see the effect of increasing mass, decreasing distance, for example. Students also went to the black board to show their predictions and ideas. Everyone is involved. It was basically a lot of fun. </p>
<p>It looked as if a great deal of time had been spent designing the experiment, the program, and the discussion questions. A lot of effort to design this type of curriculum to teach science! By the end of the class, we (even the revisit day parents) thoroughly understood F=ma </p>
<p>When we revisited at Andover, we were not allowed to see a real science class. A very nice science instructor gave a little sample lecture to the parents. We all sat facing forward and listened while he lectured and demonstrated the gas laws with a balloon in a jar.</p>