<p>With the Harkness method, how do students learn if the teacher plays a minute role in the discussions?</p>
<p>Philips Exeter is way too overated and its not even that great of a school. I go to a much more prestigious boarding school.</p>
<p>Don’t diss other schools. The comment on Exeter was kinda out of line.</p>
<p>And Howdoudo989, if your school is so much better, would you mind informing us of what it is?</p>
<p>LeoBro-
Sometimes teachers will ‘bend’ the Harkness discussion rule in order to make classes more productive. For instance, in a language class it is difficult to learn a new grammatical concept just by ‘discussing’ it. In instances like these, the teacher will give a brief lesson to summarize a topic. However, sticking to the language class example, the teacher will have students discuss translation homework, and arrive at the correct answer themselves by asking each other questions/ clarifying points. However, in most classes students will face a problem, and arrive at a reasonable answer before consulting the teacher to ensure accuracy. For example in math, students discuss the best method for solving a given problem, and if applicable arrive at a general rule. The teacher will then normally summarize the conversation and confirm the accuracy of the rule.</p>
<p>Oh ok thanks for clearing that up.</p>
<p>My name is Jamie. I’m 13, in 8th grade. I want to apply for Exeter, but I don’t think I’ll get in. My SSAT scores were 2100/2400. I play soccer, lacrosse and crew. I can play chess and I love making things. My favorite class is Tech Ed because I enjoy building structures and seeing how much weight they can hold. I am curious as to what you think my chances of getting into Exeter would be. Thanksss.</p>
<p>You look like a decent candidate. Do you have any school clubs? Anything that makes you stand out at your school? Are your grades good? I think lionprid3 can give you more helpful advice than I can.</p>
<p>I don’t want to turn this into a chance thread, but I will give some general advice to everyone. </p>
<p>I don’t think it is numbers or statistics that make you a good applicant. Having something you are truly passionate about, or having some aspect of yourself that would contribute to your schools community is truly what makes you shine. These days there are simply too many applicants who are smart and talented. It’s the people who are smart, talented, and PASSIONATE that truly stand out. So I would ask yourself, what do I care about that I can contribute to my school? Is it my ‘non sibi’ spirit? My ability to overcome social/personal/academic difficulties and challenges? My dedication to music? My creative problem solving methods? My athletic ability? My willingness to learn?
Then make sure you portray this passion or ‘hook’ to the AO in your interview and in your essays.</p>
<p>Great post lionprid. I’d just add (because I think this is partly what made my kid a successful candidate) something from your family/personal background that has shaped your passion or perspective can make you stand out from the crowd. Exeter wants diversity at the table–and diversity’s as much about different life experiences as it is about physical characteristics.</p>
<p>How much sleep do you get? This sounds very trivial but I’d like to know how big of a role social bonding and homework plays on sleep.</p>
<p>Hey I am in 8th grade now and I currently go to a private co Ed day school in OH, but I am considering BS. I’ve been invited to Culver, Portsmouth Abbey, and Early College at Mary Baldwin, but I am also considering Andover, Exeter, and some others… If I want to go to somewhere like:
-Harvard
-Stanford
-Princeton
-Yale
-Columbia
Any great college…
Do you think I’m fine where I am?
I have all As and play Field hockey, basketball, track, tennis, horse back riding, ballet, and I do community service… I might end up being a future for FH and I’m a student ambassador… Student council… Yeah, so anyone got any ideas?</p>
<p>Well, I have a question that I got a rejection from Exeter last year, and will it affect my chance to apply again? I contact the admission office after being rejected but they said they will not reconsider a applicant.</p>
<p>And by the way, are the assemblies interesting?
Thank you ! Ha ha</p>
<p>98beebee-
On school nights I get an average of 7:30-8 hrs of sleep. On the weekends I typically get 9-10 hrs of sleep per night. As long as you manage your time well, and get homework done early I think it is fully possible to get a normal amount of rest. The nights where I get less sleep than I typically want are the nights that I procrastinated. </p>
<p>alafair-
It is a hotly debated topic about whether BS aid in your college placement. Some say it is better to be a large fish in a small pond than an average fish in a lake. As long as you continue to be a hard worker and dedicated student, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your choices for school. However, getting admitted into a selective BS is definitely a hard thing to do. It requires a lot of work. However in the process you learn a lot about yourself and it prepares you for college applications. </p>
<p>Sophia-
I definitely enjoy the assemblies at Exeter. Sometimes the assemblies are simply fun and relaxing. Other times the speakers really make you reflect on the world as a whole and your role in it.
If you are serious about coming to Exeter, than I would greatly encourage you to apply again. Reapplying truly shows your dedication and interest in the school. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank u! Next question: what other schools did you look at, and why did you choose exeter?</p>
<p>alafair - Attending a prep school like Exeter may make it a little bit more difficult to get into prestigious colleges because you are compared to your classmates and the college can’t accept only Exeter kids. It can also improve your chances greatly at other colleges. The important thing is that Exeter will prepare you extremely well for college. I was reading college satisfaction surveys from previous Exeter graduates, and most of them say that their first couple years at college is fairly easy compared to Exeter and maybe even a bit of a disappointment. Also, attending prep school may give you a more realistic view of colleges that you are in love with now. For example, you hear from people who actually went to those places and get their prospective on what that college is like. Also, you may decide that you like Exeter, but you don’t want to go to a college that is like it. For example, you may decide that an Ivy is not for you, and another school may have just as good academics but will fit you better.</p>
<p>Whoever asked about PG’s - Take the perspective of a senior girl. We do not see PG’s as completely equal to other seniors, even though the administration encourages to end PG discrimination. All PG’s have to be smart to get in, and some of them are very smart and integrate into classes easily, but we know that many of them are here mainly for sports. Think of how difficult it must be to try to fit in to a strange school where most of your classmates have been there for 3-4 years. Many of the PG’s hang out mostly only with each other or the people from their sports if they play them. But we still respect and love our PG’s! Last year there were a lot more females and “academic” PG’s than there are this year. Also, PG’s are largely what senior girls talk about. I guess we get bored with people who have been here for awhile.</p>
<p>98bee-
I applied to the other HADES schools and was accepted into all of them except SPS. It was a VERY difficult decision to choose to come to Exeter, but I chose to come because I liked the Harkness teaching method, and because math and science are my greatest interests. For these reasons Exeter seemed like the best choice for me.</p>
<p>This is a little different, but are you aloud to sleep over in someone else’s room that’s IN your dorm?</p>
<p>Thank you for you reply! Here are other questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Can you think of why you getting the acceptance from Exeter, will financial aid influence the decision?</p></li>
<li><p>Are the teachers and students friendly there?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>kinggdub-
You are allowed to sleep over a dormates room without asking permission. If you want to sleep over a friends room in another dorm you must get permission before 10pm (check in time) that night from the faculty on duty in both dorms. The only limitation is obviously that girls can’t sleep over guy dorms and vice versa.</p>
<p>Sophia2011-
1)Personally, I don’t think needing FA factors that largely into whether you will get the acceptance or not. Many people (I think close 50%) of the student are on FA. Because of Exeter’s large endowment and generous FA program, money is seldom a reason not to come.
2)I was pleasantly surprised who genuinely nice all of the people at Exeter are. I can happily say that I have not yet met a truly mean person. The teachers are also equally nice and friendly.</p>