For many of us (8th grade dreamers, 9th grade, or 10th grade repeats) looking at PA and PEA from outside, what are some of the bigger/smaller things that make this pair more different from the rest of BS peers?
And what are some of the bigger/smaller things that separate PEA from PA?
I just wanted to get some insights, whether general or personal, so I learn to appreciate them for what they are (analytically or critically). Thanks.
Other than ranking, how are they different in images and styles, campus traditions, particular EC, academic (more English, more history, more classic, more math, more arts, or less so or just different… )?
what are/were the one or two things as the main draw for you? and what are the one or two things you wish they would be different/better?
I can only answer for PA because we visited. Statistically, it isn’t that different from the other schools we considered. Similar % of color, % boarding/day, ACT, etc. It was MUCH larger than the other schools (my kid realized she didn’t like this). It was much more rigid in its policies (did not like this).
I think it has more name recognition than other schools. I would counsel you to read some old threads. That name recognition does make a school better or worse than its peers. As far as teacher quality, this area of NE has a lot of great schools but jobs don’t open up all that often. This means that all the schools around here benefit from their pick of the great candidates when a job does open up which means that the teacher quality at the top NE BS is comparable school to school.
Teachers from Groton are not waiting for the chance to apply for a job at Andover.
Andover and Exeter aren’t any more different from the pack than Choate or Groton or Deerfield. Every school has its quirks and its culture, and there’s nothing inherently special about A & E.
And as @dogsmama1997 said,
And yet Groton gets more and more former Andover teachers every year. 
Curious as to why so many people fixate on just those two schools.
Yes, they are better known. They are significantly larger than other schools, which means they have more alumni spreading the word… and making donations.
But I don’t think they necessarily provide a better education.
Their size might mean they can offer more clubs, sports, and even courses, but even at my kids tiny school (Thacher), there are tons of interesting courses that she will never be able to squeeze into her schedule! In other words, kids are limited in the number of courses they can take… How big a difference does it make to a student if there are just 15 courses they want to take, but can’t, or whether there are more than 50 courses they were intrigued by but couldn’t fit into their four years?
If you are a superstar at something (Math, sports, theater, music), the sheer size of these schools means there will be more of a critical mass of other kids who are equally stellar. But if you have more passion than skill in any of these areas, you might have more opportunities to shine at a smaller school. (For example, if you love musical theater, would you rather be in the chorus at a larger school, or play a lead at a smaller one? Where will you improve the most?)
For an LGBTQ kid, a larger school like Andover and Exeter might be a great choice simply because they are far more likely to find other students who are out than at a smaller school, though some small schools are incredibly inclusive and welcoming.
The only differences are the ones that matter to you, @Heading2HS, so do your research and visit if you can; there is no substitute for either. Also note that for every plus or minus comment anyone here mentions about any school, there will be others who have a totally different experience or opinion.
Because so many fixate on these two schools, there are more threads on this site about them than any other, and all of your questions have been asked many times before–lots and lots of experience and opinions if you use the search function. I was going to list a few, but just typing “andover and exeter” into the search tool brought up too many to wade through.
Proximity to Boston is one notable difference.
although there are a fair amount in the Boston area.
Oops. Meant the name recognition does NOT make the school better or worse…
There have got to be some meaningful differences (tangible or imagined) between the two.
perhaps, with Andover being closer to Boston, it might provide more college sponsored research program(s) or arts/musical programs?
Exeter might be especially exciting on the eve of a presidential election as all the candidates will visit New Hampshire.
Exeter is renowned for its competitive Mathematics.
Being near Boston probably makes for fun weekend excursions…
“Meaningful differences”? - none…or many. Only you can decide.
Do you prefer ketsup or mustard on your hot dogs? Are they ranked higher than relish? Does that make them better than relish?
I did not find this to be the case.
I could answer this question for both Andover and Exeter, but I won’t. The reason being the things I would change (and neither cares what I think ) may not be important to others.
@Altras the question meant to ask what are the meaningful differences (you found meaningful and willing to share)…
I would still take the points if you meant to highlight the food, etc.
Exeter uses the Harkness method. That’s a big deal imo. I would not like it as a student, it would annoy me I think.
In traffic Andover isn’t so close to Boston so I wouldn’t assume they are doing a ton with Boston colleges.
LOTS of schools use Harkness 
Probably good that I don’t have to repeat highschool. Lol.
I personally do not get the fascination that some have with Harkness (as in, I’m interested in Exeter becasue they have Harkness).
Lots of schools that don’t use Harkness still use the concepts in many classes. It’s semantics, but Harkness® Method is a registered trademark. It’s similar to how some schools do not offer AP® classes, but offer classes that are at that level and may prepare for the exam. Some people have drunk the Kool-Aid® and think that these trademarks are the Holy Grail - they are not.
The end game is, you have to decide what matters to you ( as SkiEurope and other have noted). Honestly, I think most people are a bit lazy when it comes to doing research and finding the fit. They get caught up in which school has the lowest acceptance rate, or highest SAT’s or a million others things and they only apply to those schools. They are missing the point. If a school has your thing ( whatever that thing may be) and you go to another school, you will not be able to do “your thing” Likewise, if you chose a school based on name and it doesn’t fit you, you’re in a tough spot. You are not there to impress your friends and neighbors.
So many people chose PA or PEA because they don’t know any better.
@Calimex Sometimes size can matter a lot if you are a kid with a specific twist ( whether that’s sports or academics) You might need that math class or javelin coach or what have you to shine. And I know that some folks think high school is too early to specialize but for some kids, they are already specialists so they want to go deeper.
By the end of the process, if you can’t cite 5-10 things that are the best/unique at the school you have chosen then you have no business spending 50K a year ( cheap parent here). I made my kid tell me the best things about the choices available post 3/10. And we talked about each. A lot.
BS is a big decision so I equate BS applicantsonly going after PA and PEA, in the same category as all the folks on CC who want to apply to HYP. Why?