<p>Hi Everyone :)
I'm new to College Confidential and this is my first post.
I would love to hear everyone's opinions about Phillips Andover versus Phillips Exeter. They're both in Phillips Academy, so they have to be fairly similar right? (Correct me if I'm wrong :P)
So what are the main differences in stuff like teaching methods (I know about the Harkness stuff, but I would love to hear more), academic stuff like grades, dorm stuff, and just the atmosphere. Which are you looking at as a higher prep school?
Thanks :)</p>
<p>And sorry, I sorta just realized that this is a really common thread :P</p>
<p>[Exeter</a> Faculty Evolution of Dance - YouTube](<a href=“Exeter Faculty Evolution of Dance - YouTube”>Exeter Faculty Evolution of Dance - YouTube)</p>
<p>What our Faculty do for the sake of a laugh. </p>
<p>I think the answer is clear.</p>
<p>Purple or orange?</p>
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<p>Huh? They’re completely different and would be pleased to tell you that. Both amazing schools but certainly not the same.</p>
<p>^^Exeter alums are apparently more gracious than Andover alums (sample size:1 of each). Do a little research, kiddo. :P</p>
<p>As an Andover Alum, I second what ExieMITAlum said: both amazing schools, but certainly not the same. And you won’t find me saying one is necessarily “better” than the other (despite the friendly rivalry).</p>
<p>They have a totally different atmosphere. I visited both, and it was clear which I loved and which I didn’t. So, as you can see, it really depends on the person. To me, Exeter was so warm, friendly, and intellectual, while Andover was more reserved yet welcoming at the same time, but someone else might think something different.</p>
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<p>She speaks the truth.</p>
<p>supersnailqueen,</p>
<p>Here are excerpts from a previous post I wrote on this subject. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Andover and Exeter are related. Different members of the same family founded each school. Samuel Phillips founded Andover in 1778; his Uncle, John Phillips, founded Exeter in 1781, Hence, Andover is known as Phillips Academy ¶, and Exeter is called Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA). </p></li>
<li><p>Andover and Exeter are also connected in the public imagination. In an episode of the Simpsons, a salesman at a fund raiser tries to sell Homer a t-shirt for the local school his children attend. When Homer refuses to buy that t-shirt because he does not want to be associated with that local school, the vendor says that his two best-selling t-shirts are “Phillips Springfield Andover” and “Phillips Springfield Exeter.”</p></li>
<li><p>As for Andover and Exeter, the important question is not which is the better school. It is which is the better school for you. That’s a question of fit, and only you can answer that question for yourself. </p></li>
<li><p>Some differences between Andover and Exeter are:</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A. Andover divides its dorms into five clusters; at Exeter, students typically remain in the same dorm until they graduate.</p>
<p>B. Andover has a 1-6 grading system; Exeter has a 1-11 grading system. </p>
<p>C. Andover offers need blind financial aid that admits applicants regardless of their financial background; Exeter is need aware. However, Exeter offers generous financial aid. </p>
<p>C. Andover has one central dining hall; Exeter has two dining halls.</p>
<p>D. Andover has fewer Saturday classes than Exeter. </p>
<p>E. Exeter has a dress code; Andover does not.</p>
<p>F. Last year, Andover had a lower admit rate, a higher yield, and (I believe) better college matriculation statistics than Exeter. Nevertheless, Exeter is extremely difficult to get into, very popular, and does exceptionally well in placing students into top colleges.</p>
<p>G. Exeter prides itself on the Harkness Method (student centered discussions), which it typically uses in all classes, including Math and Science; Andover stresses critical thinking as well but does so through a wide range of teaching approaches that generally do not include the Harkness Method in Math or Science.</p>
<p>H. Some people think Exeter has a nicer campus than Andover; others prefer Andover’s campus. Both campuses are very nice. </p>
<p>I. Some people say that Andover is better in the humanities than Exeter and that Exeter is better in Math and Science than Andover. I don’t buy that theory. Both schools are generally excellent in all fields.</p>
<p>J. Andover is closer to Boston than Exeter.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Exeter is extremely diverse. Some statistics: 44% of students are US students of color, 9.7% are international, 80% are boarders, and about half receive financial aid, with free room and board, tuition and books to those with family incomes under 75,000 dollars.</p>
<p>Does anyone have the same stats for Andover?</p>
<p>perrier2468: Here’s a link to the PA website’s FAQ’s. Should answer some basic questions</p>
<p>[Phillips</a> Academy -](<a href=“http://www.andover.edu/Admission/Pages/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx]Phillips”>http://www.andover.edu/Admission/Pages/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx)</p>
<p>@perrier
Some data are comparable. According to the Fast Facts Andover webpage, Anover has somewhat more day students (26% vs. 20%), and somewhat more international students (16.6% vs. 9.7%). Both have about half of students receiving financial aid. </p>
<p>It is not possible to directly compare ration of students of color, because Andover reports total percentage (41%, including internationals) and Exeter reports percentage of US students (44%).</p>
<p>Thank you swimdude006 and 2prepMom! </p>
<p>As we wait for responses on March 10, I’m afraid the idea of attending a BS like Andover or Exeter is becoming more and more glamorized in our minds. If my DC ends up attending one of these schools, I wonder whether once the novelty wears off and reality sets in, my DC will truly be happy. What are typical disappointments/ difficulties a new 10th grader (lower) might experience? Is it hard for new lowers to connect with the rest of the grade? Have cliques already formed?</p>
<p>This is a good CC thread for discussion of the Exeter student experience</p>
<p>Ask a current Exeter student! by Lionprid3</p>
<p>(sorry, I do not know how to put in the link)</p>
<p>[Ask</a> a current Exeter student!](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1215075-ask-current-exeter-student.html]Ask”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1215075-ask-current-exeter-student.html)</p>
<p>And go [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/misc.php?do=bbcode]here[/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/misc.php?do=bbcode]here[/url</a>] to learn how to insert a link! :)</p>
<p>Thanks as always, dodgersmom! :)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the explanations! 
I’ve done a lot of research and I agree, the atmosphere is different for everyone! I look forward to visiting :D</p>
<p>So, sorry for intruding… But I was wondering if anyone knew if both schools are looking for about the same things in candidates, or what qualities each schools prefer?</p>