Andover vs. Exeter

<p>which one is better? i got into them... post pro's and con's... lol.</p>

<p>I'm currently struggling through this decision too!
I honestly don't think either of them is "better", they're really similar schools to be frank. I think if you asked a kid from andover they'd say A is better and if you asked a kid from exeter they'd say E is better, that's just the way the rivalry goes.</p>

<p>But still, there are obviously still some differences. Andover is in more urban MA, whereas exeter is in a small town of NH. Exeter has a more formal dress code and andover doesn't really have too much of a dress code at all, I think this sort of applies to more than just the dress code too, from as far as I can tell exeter seems more structured than andover. And they have different classes and requirements too, so maybe check those out? (I'm obsessed with course books! omg!)</p>

<p>I mean, if you're torn between the two I would definitely recommend going to both revist days (if you can) and trying to get a feel of the both of them, because that's really the best way to decide. However, they're both great schools and i really don't think you can go wrong. </p>

<p>That being said, I'm guessing from your username you're leaning towards exeter?</p>

<p>Here's a thread i started about 6 months ago:</p>

<p>Andover Vs. Exeter (Pros and Cons)</p>

<p>(I'm not sure how to make it blue and "clickable")</p>

<p>i applied to both schools, been accepted at Andover and rejected at Exeter
I liked Andover better from the beginning. It was really close but right before March 10th i went through everything i knew about every school i applied to and was determined to rank my schools. </p>

<p>My rank came out like: </p>

<p>Andover
Exeter
Choate
Deerfield
SPS
Taft</p>

<p>Would i have loved to get into Exeter? Yes. Am i happy that i got into my number one? Yes </p>

<p>Back to the subject, Andover is closer to Boston and seems like there is more activity on weekends. Andover seemed to be more relaxed (no dress code) and Exeter seemed more preppy. Andover has a great new science center (i'm sure Exeter will have one within the next ten years) and is building a new dining hall. </p>

<p>Exeter is known as more math/science. Andover is known as more english/foreign languages. I personally think that that's not true. If you look at the SAT scores the average for math at Exeter is 4 points more than Andover. The Andover English average is 6 points more than Exeter. Is that one extra correct question enough to make a stereotype. I don't think so.</p>

<p>I'm most likely attending Andover in the fall as a 9th grade male.</p>

<p>exeter has this wave machine thingy in their science lab for marine biology experiments! but yes, exeter is more known for math and science</p>

<p>Exeter has the harkness method so that seems pretty neat. some people are saying Andover is starting to loose its noble name with everything being more casual and lenient, but I'm sure that isn't completely true.</p>

<p>alot of places are adopting the harkness technique now</p>

<p>McSkittlZ10:</p>

<p>Did you visit Exeter?</p>

<p>You mentioned Andover's science building as being new. Exeter also has a new science building - Phelps. I am pretty sure they include it on the student tours - there is a whale skeleton hanging in the center of the atrium/open stairwell. Most kids really think it is a cool feature.</p>

<p>Yeah i visited exeter. I saw the whale and everything. It was pretty cool but i'm not going to let a whale put my school in #1. (I know thats not what you meant)</p>

<p>I didn't realize Phelps was new. How old is it? It seemed at least 15 years of age.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.exeter.edu/academics/4848.aspx%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.exeter.edu/academics/4848.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>someone care to explain the rivalry between the two schools?
sorry if i seem a bit clueless =)..i am attending exeter next year as a freshman and some people that i know who were accepted into andover immediately called me a rival haha so i'd like to know more about it =]</p>

<p><a href="http://phillipian.net/article?id=5380%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://phillipian.net/article?id=5380&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>i dont know- just that they are rivals. exonians call andover kids "smurfs" cuz their color is blue</p>

<p>Mcskittl... I am not sure what Exeter you visited!! Exeter MORE preppy than Andover?! And the comment about the Science building was far from accurate. When I went to check out both schools, I went to Andover after I visited Exeter, I assumed both the campus facilities would be very similar, and by in large, they were. I did think that Andover's science building, even though it was great, was not as nice as Exeter's. I liked the fact that Exeter had pull out laptop computers at many of the lab stations. I just though the technology was a tad bit nicer. That being said, clearly both schools had WONDERFUL facilities, and there is no way you could lose out by going to either one.</p>

<p>I'm sure many more people would say that Exeter is more preppy than Andover. I define preppy as more sit down, directed, coat and tie. Personally i liked Andover's better. The windows let in the natural light and it seemed more welcoming. The technology at Andover was newer, it being built 3-4 years after the Exeter.</p>

<p>Yes, i was wrong about the science center. It just seemed to be older than it was.</p>

<p>I don't know, when you have an alumni list like Andover, I think most would have to conclude it edges Exeter out on the "preppy" scale. You are not the school of the Kennedy, Kerry and Bush families without having some "prep" appeal. Believe me wearing a suitcoat and tie doesn't make you preppy, some of the coat and tie combinations I have seen the Exeter student body come up with would curdle cream!! ;)</p>

<p>We're only the school of the Bushes. Kennedy went to Choate. Kerry went to SPS. We only had George and GW.</p>

<p>Not quite accurate. JFK and his older brother Joe Jr. went to Choate but JFK Jr. and Patrick Kennedy both graduated from Andover and I think Teddy went to Milton.</p>

<p>btw -- as an alum, I can confirm that Andover is superior to Exeter in virtually every respect. ;)</p>

<p>Right but those aren't THE Kennedy.<br>
mkl2000, there are quite a few people on this board that think quite the opposite of you so you're most likely receiving a few nasty pms. </p>

<p>(Although Andover is a few tads better.)</p>

<p>Quick note on the math/science: </p>

<p>Exeter has a world-class math program but I think the stereotype that scientists belong at Exeter has been blown out of proportion. Our physics program is tops in America, as measured by AP scores and sending kids to the physics olympiad, and our Computer Science team got 2nd in America last year. At Andover, you will be among the very best if science is your thing.</p>

<p>That being said, pick whichever school makes you happier, where you feel you could spend the next 4 years. College admit rates, SAT scores, all that is rather irrelevant in the long run, and both schools are neck-in-neck in those categories anyways. For me, I wondered how I could ever be happy in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire, with a dress code, and Saturday classes pretty much every week. But whatever floats your boat.</p>

<p>John Kerry's father, Richard, attended Andover. Mcskittl, you should bone up on your Andover alums.</p>