<p>Hi,
I know that there are a few forums about Andover vs. Exeter already, but I have a few more specific questions about the two schools.
First of all, which one is more "musical"? By that, I mean which one has a stronger instrumental music and theater program? Also, which one happens to be more of a humanities/liberal arts school (these are the topics I'm most interested in).
Second of all, which one is considered more down to earth- like more students receiving financial aid, diversity, less pretense, open minded, etc.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Both of these schools are exceptional in the areas that you mention. I think, but don’t know for sure, that Andover might be stronger in the music/theatre area, but Exeter’s programs are VERY good. I know that everyone thinks of Exeter as a “math/science” school, but their humanities programs are top notch as well. Again, I don’t have direct experience with Andover, but the only pretense you’ll find at Exeter may be intellectual. But I think that’s true at most prep schools. 
</p>
<p>I do hope you will be able to go to the revisit days. Most kids develop a pretty clear picture of where they “see themselves” after that. The two schools are more alike than different but seem to attract slightly different kinds of kids (very subtle differences). Perhaps the biggest difference is the all-encompassing Harkness method at Exeter. Go to the revisits and see how you like the math program. You’ll have to take math at any school. You can find the actual teaching materials for Exeter on the math department webpage. Exeter math is somewhat distinctive in its approach.</p>
<p>I have two children, one in Andover and the other in Exeter. Both kids participate in the music programs and I really have to say both programs are excellent. The only difference I find is that the Forrestal-Bowld Music Center at Exeter is fresher in appearance than Graves Hall in Andover, but that is made-up by the Cochran Chapel which is such a wonderful venue for concerts. Both schools are equally “musical.”
Which is more of a “humanities/liberal arts school”? Again, I must say both schools are equally strong. Oh yes, Andover has “Exeter Geek Day” in the fall where students promote the stereotype of Exonians being math/science oriented and Exonians do skits where students at Andover don’t work hard and are “slackers” but this is all in jest. The truth is there is no real difference. They all work hard and both schools have their math/science geniuses and perceptive writers.
Which is more down to earth? Strip away the ties the guys at Exeter have to wear and basically you have the same type of kid. Remember that many students applied to both Andover and Exeter so the student body is more similar to each other than students that applied to other boarding schools.
So what criteria did my kids use to decide which school to attend? Revisit day was highly influential. It’s a gut feeling that told them this school is right for me. I suggest you do the same.</p>
<p>^ BRAVO! Bravo bravo bravo!</p>
<p>It would take all of us a lot of time to cover (in detail) the answers to these two questions. So I’ll keep it short. If I had to make an assessment based off of my 4 years at Andover, I’d say that the music department is pretty damn good, and the musicians, both student and faculty, are some of the most dedicated and talented you’ll ever find.</p>
<p>As for your second question, this answer comes from both experience and from the heart: Andover. There’s no place like it. I can’t even begin to describe how many different, interesting, and overall captivating people there are here, so I’ll leave at that. Trust me.</p>
<p>Go to Andover lol I need to get off Exeter’s wait-list D:</p>
<p>Simply put, both are top notch schools. But Exeter is more math/science, while Andover is more humanities/liberal arts. You sound like you’d enjoy Andover more… I’d revisit both and decide for yourself.</p>
<p>This is coming from an Andover student.</p>
<p>Oh… and hey there Batch.</p>
<p>Yo whatup bro</p>
<p>Exeter is amazing considering how many kids they send to Math Olympiads.</p>
<p>[Phillips</a> Exeter Students Make Math History at National Competition](<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/news_and_events/news_events_11590.aspx]Phillips”>http://www.exeter.edu/news_and_events/news_events_11590.aspx)</p>
<p>^I’m an Exeter student, but that doesn’t really mean too much about the school.
To be honest, I don’t think Exeter’s music program is the best. I’m a part of the Chamber Orchestra, and I really enjoy it, but I don’t really think it’s that good…
I can’t say anything about Andover, obviously because I don’t really go there, so I don’t know the school.</p>
<p>and what brandenburg5 said is the best. :D</p>
<p>how are the foreign language programs at both schools?</p>
<p>They have very similar courses, but I’d give the hand to Andover for foreign languages because they have more advanced courses.</p>
<p>^^ Seriously?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I can attest for that. Is your “Seriously?” in response to Andover coming out on top as this individual’s preference, or in response to the notion that Andover has stronger foreign language classes?</p>
<p>If it’s the latter, I can tell you that Andover arguably has one of the best Spanish programs in the northeast, great Chinese, French, Japanese, and Russian. Now, that is to say that, like all classes and areas of education, a lot depends on the teachers. For all I know the programs could have been completely different 10 years ago or might be different 10 years from now, but the quality of the teachers is always exceptional, and especially exceptional in this “generation,” so to speak (the career span for most of the current teachers).</p>
<p>And you have no experience about the depth of Exeter language programs, do you?</p>
<p>And I assume you don’t either, Invent as we both have never fully immersed ourselves in both language programs. The best we can give, however subjective, is a guess on to say whose is better. I voted Andover just because it had more courses than Exeter. Simple as that.</p>
<p>More courses =/= better courses.</p>
<p>More courses =/= worse courses.</p>
<p>So you got the point, haha.</p>