<p>Both schools are great.
I have a friend at Andover- she is really athletic, and loves to have fun.
My friend at Exeter was more academic, and he was really serious most of the time.
Soo I guess it depends on what kind of person you are.</p>
<p>lol you can't just assume that everyone at Exeter is "more academic" and "really serious most of the time" just because of the ONE person you know at Exeter. There are those people, but there are also those "really athletic" people who "love to have fun" among many others.</p>
<p>Exeter- their math team is much stronger and all classes have the Harkness method. But andover, is a good school too.</p>
<p>They are obviously both very fine schools. Top academics, facilities, sports, arts, etc., with a great rivalry. I've had one child at each of the schools. Both did well and got into top colleges. Here is something to think about for all posters (who are not currently enrolled at either school, but might be considering). Both Andover and Exeter are sink or swim schools. They will never tell you that, but what they are both lacking is a comprehensive student support system. That is extremely important for 99% of all students 14-18 years old. There are other schools that provide much more support and counseling which results in students (especially the younger ones) managing their high school opportunities much better. Ultra type A kids might not need it as much, but even there, it helps. Parents pay $40k+ tuitions to give their kids not only the benefit of top academic opportunities, but also to give their children the most rewarding and incredible high school experience possible. If the child spends an overwhelming amount of their time in class and studying and has very little time to take advantage of ecs, sports and the arts and just plain fun because of a lack of day to day help in scheduling, time management, academic and social support, what good is it to have "world-class" facilities in these areas anyway? To some extent, both schools are guilty of "drinking their own kool-aid" and believing that if a kid is smart enough to be accepted by the school, then they should be bright enough to manage their own time, academically and otherwise. Oh I know that there is a certain amount of academic support and counseling at both schools, but compared to many others, they simply do not provide enough to ensure that the vast majority of the students get the absolute most out of their high school experience. That is why many compare going to these schools as "going to college for high school".</p>
<p>If these schools were one of our choices, which they weren't because we had a different favorite and didn't even apply....I know my son would choose Exeter for several reasons. The schools obviously both have solid, rigorous academics, but my son would love the proximity to his club soccer team. And, he does prefer the campus although we both agree the field house is atrocious looking.</p>
<p>Prepdad,
That is an awesome post and exactly the kind of insider info that obsessives like me come to CC for! I do have an acquaintance who is an ex-Andover teacher, who now teaches at a local Quaker school. She really thought the kids were over-pressured there.</p>
<p>I assume Exeter is the same.</p>
<p>Exeter is the same. It is a very complicated internal political situation at both schools, between administrators, faculty and the Board of Trustees. They are such elite institutions, it is as if they don't want to acknowledge that accepted students, no matter how intelectually qualified, are in need of day to day supervision and counseling, not to necessarily just stay out of academic trouble, but to get guidance in ways to maximize their high school experience and take advantage of the vast amount of opportunities these schools have to offer within the framework of their academic commitments. Kids are kids (14-18), no matter how smart they are and need the help. Remember, I'm not talking about needing help just to keep from flunking out amidst the rigorous academic program, I'm talking about MAXIMIZING their high school experience. Obviously the majority of students at these schools are not suffering academically, but with multitude of opportunities at their disposal, are they really being given the opportunity and guidance to take advantage of them to the greatest extent possible? The problem will become compounded even further as more and more students from lower economic backgrounds attend the schools through the need-blind admission process and increased financial aid. As we've all read, these schools and others are using their huge endowments to give more students from economically challenged families the opportunity to attend and create more diversity within the student body. That is a wonderful thing, which I am all for. However, without a significant broadening of the student support infrastructure, my concern is those kids (who have significantly more social issues to deal with when they get to school than most of the incoming students) as well as the other students will run the risk of being even more "lost in the trees". It seems like a simple issue to address as many other boarding schools have, but I've been told by people within these schools that in a certain sense, it's a political hot potato.</p>
<p>Guys relax about Harkness. In the immortal words of my uncle, PEA '79: "All you do is sit around a damn table"</p>
<p>And wiseman no one cares about basketball. Football's where it's at, and you guys are almost 20 games behind.</p>
<p>I really agree with prepdad. I have three kids and one recently went to exeter, two to other prep schools. Very very well said.</p>
<p>tuesday air, im not saying that everyone at exeter is super duper serious or anything, just this ONE kid i know xD
sorry if i offended(?) you or anything</p>
<p>the crown jewel of Exeter's campus:
<a href="http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Philips_Exeter_Athletics.html/cid_philips_exeter_athletics_maw_002.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Philips_Exeter_Athletics.html/cid_philips_exeter_athletics_maw_002.html</a></p>
<p>Truthfully both Andover and Exeter are great choices. Sure, I've had my ups and downs (clearly reflected in my grades, haha) but I would never regret coming to Andover. I've met so many amazing people and have had a chance to be part of some organizations and events that were unique to a school like Andover. </p>
<p>Have I ever felt like I wish I had more individual support? Yes.
Has there ever been a night where I wish I went to a more nurturing school? Absolutely.
Andover has really forced me to mature as a student. Teachers are willing to talk during conferences, after school, at night and the academic support center is always open for help. However, people aren't going to guide you to these resources all of the time. You need to learn how to speak up when you need help and advocate for yourself. At a school like Andover, it can be possible to slip through the cracks, but it won't happen if you learn how to admit that you are struggling and use the resources available to you.</p>
<p>go big blue</p>
<p>haha wowowoowww that's hideous</p>
<p>xGod- don't mean to insult your uncle, but if all he thought about the Harkness method was that he was "sitting around a damn table"... he wasn't doing it right, and he missed out. It is about more than the "table" it is about interaction between students and finding a balance. It is a wonderful experience if done correctly.
For those who are concerned about Andover and Exeter and the type of supervision the students receive on a day to day basis, you are right, it can be a "sink or swim" environment. Clearly this is not for everyone. Luckily, there are many choices out there. For students or parents who are wary of an Exeter/Andover type school, perhaps a smaller more "nurturing" environment would be ideal. There is no one "best" school, only the school that is "best" for you.</p>
<p>Go to Exeter. It seems to have a better selection of courses.</p>
<p>... And maybe my son will get off the waiting list at Andover! :-)</p>
<p>Andover
,mmm</p>
<p>go EXETER!!! :D</p>
<p>Thanks for you insights prepdad; my S got into one of these schools (didn't apply to the other), and though it was his first choice, I've steered him to accept at another school, because my instincts tell me that he would do better in a less pressurized environment, and I want him to enjoy ECs as well. It's been a very difficult decision for all of us, as there is no questioning the excellence of A/E. I know we made the right decision for us, and congratulations to all who have worked so hard to be accepted by these fine schools.</p>
<p>andovahhhh for sure.</p>
<p>jk, but honestly its more of a fit
both are really good schools and really similar
my impression is that andover is more laid back and lets you wear your pajamas to class if you want</p>
<p>Sorry, but I disagree with the first part.</p>
<p>The crown jewel of Exeter's campus: <a href="http://www.culturevulture.net/movies/images/myarchexeter.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.culturevulture.net/movies/images/myarchexeter.jpg</a></p>
<p>You can hype it up all you want but that doesn't change the fact that Harkness is just unnecessary. When I visited, I found it digressive and pseudo-intellectual. There's nothing revolutionary about having a discussion-based classed and in that respect there's nothing exceptional about "Harkness" as a brand name. Take your education for what it is, but don't say it's something that it's not. </p>
<p>It's also hilarious that Harkness does not cater at all to Exeter's academic strengths: math and science. Does it help you learn to DISCUSS simple harmonic motion?</p>