<p>I got very lucky and was accepted to both. These are both incredible schools in so many ways so now how to choose? I would love any feedback from students (or anyone else) who can help me get a better feel for the intangibles - the distinctive vibe of these schools. Here's what I picked up but the visits are short and chats with alumns etc aren't necessarily the best source of data so I could easily be quite wrong. Andover feels a little more nurturing, a little more liberal. Exeter feels like you are a little more 'on your own' each man for himself. A little tougher. I don't think I can choose on academics or campus or facilities or anything like that. For me it's all the vibe - how people are with each other etc</p>
<p>I would highly recommend that you go to revisit days if you can. The different feels become more obvious after a whole day at these schools. To me, Andover always felt more laid back. Yes, the students get stressed out, but that always felt beneath the surface. Andover has a more spread out campus which contribute to a picturesque feel at times. Overall, Andover is a liberal school, but I am not familiar enough with Exeter to compare that aspect. I wouldn’t exactly call Andover nurturing, caring seems like a better description. The resources are there if you need help, but they usually leave it up to you to ask for them. Another difference is the dorms. Exeter tends to have larger dorms, while Andover has a mix of houses and traditional dorms. Andover separates freshman, while I believe Exeter has completely mixed dorms. The students seemed friendlier to me at Andover, but then I’m biased. I think that it’s very difficult to describe the feel of a school. It honestly depends on your own personality and preferences. There are students, recent grads, and parents from both schools who are willing to answer any questions you have.</p>
<p>I do see some students who are admitted to both Andover and Exeter, but I’ve also heard people say that these two schools do not overlap much in admitting the same students, especially given the fact that most students applying to one tend to apply to the other as well. Is there any truth in it?</p>