<p>I was wondering about that too Agogparent. At a school like Exeter is it only the Meryl Streeps who get cast in the shows and the Ihtzak Perlmans who get into the orchestra. If a student wants to have a chance to try new things and discover new passions, are they better off at a school like Middlesex where the small size means that everyone has to wear several hats.</p>
<p>calrenoma: yes and no. At a school as large as Exeter, there’s both breadth and depth. In the music department, for examples, there are ensembles that are try-out only and difficult to get into and others that are open to just about anyone. I’m not as familiar with drama, but my sense is that there are the large scale, once a term performances that are hard to get into, particularly for preps, but also other drama clubs that put on smaller performances and involve more people. </p>
<p>If your kid wants to try on some funky, brand new hats and then settle on the one or two or three right for him/her to pursue, Exeter’s the place to be; the sheer number of clubs and sports boggles the mind. And you never know what will happen–much to our surprise, for example, my kid ended up in a top position in a sport he’d never even tried before going to Exeter. </p>
<p>It’s not, though the kind of place where everyone wears several hats because there aren’t, otherwise, enough bodies to go around</p>
<p>Sorry you guys for not responding sooner. Preparing for finals and traveling home has kept me pretty busy. Since a lot of people are discussing general topics, Im going to answer questions by topic instead of to specific people so that I dont repeat myself.</p>
<p>SSAT-
I think that the SSAT score is scaled to other people in your same age/grade level. A/O are aware that a person cannot be defined by a two digit number. Therefore your score is only a small factor in determining whether or not you will be admitted. Overall I believe the most important factors in deciding whether you will be admitted are your interview, essays, and teacher recs. </p>
<p>Dress Code-
For boys the dress code is pretty strict, and rarely violated. The guys come to class looking very neat. The girls dress code on the other hand is less defined, and I agree, more commonly violated. However, students rarely come to class looking disheveled. Students take pride in their appearance, and seldom dress inappropriately. </p>
<p>Branching Out-
I agree that the Exeter schedule makes attending a hefty amount of clubs/activities difficult, but I disagree with the notion that we become less branched out. If an activity is important to you, there is a way to do it at Exeter (within reason of course). Typically students balance doing a sport every season, with the academic coursework, and two or three clubs. Students dedicated to theater might find difficulties competing in sports, but otherwise Exeter gives students plenty of opportunities to branch out. Instead of limiting us, I think this system allows us to be more committed and passionate about the activities we choose. It also allows us to meet and befriend people with very similar interests to ourselves.</p>
<p>What is golf likeat Exeter do you know if your team is good ? I’m applying for freshman year with a sub 5 handicap and wanted to ask if I would be any good and if it would help my chances if admission</p>
<p>How was your interview? I have one tomorrow and I’m not too sure what to expect.</p>
<p>bump 10char lots of good info here</p>
<p>hey again! sorry it took so long to respond, thanksgiving break has been busy…
flakothetaco-
Personally I don’t know too much about the golf team at Exeter. However golf is available as a spring sport. Here is the link to the website that has more details about the team at Exeter. [Phillips</a> Exeter Academy |](<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/athletics/185_10709.aspx]Phillips”>http://www.exeter.edu/athletics/185_10709.aspx)
lkim97-
I was extremely nervous for my interview, but once it was done, I regretted that it had gone by so quickly. I found the admissions experience to be a lot of fun. Getting to visit schools and talking to adults about your dreams, hopes, and life is very exciting. The questions you are asked during your interview range from your favorite hobbies, books, your family, school, and many other topics. So my best advice would be to relax and have fun! Be confident, assert why YOU would be a positive member in the school’s community.</p>
<p>Stand-outs: The team has included American junior players and several players with handicaps of two and under. Exeter players have often gone on to play competitive Division I golf.</p>
<p>^Found that on the website, what is a handicap even? Oh well, hope this helps.</p>
<p>hey do the administrators look at your ssat number score or the overall percentage? bc the first time i took it, i got 89% and then i got a 93%. however the number score differs slightly. do you think i should send the 2nd score in? or would that lower my chances since i didnt improve all that much?</p>
<p>We’re only students. We don’t know all that admissions stuff.</p>
<p>Binghulu262-
Since I am not an A/O, I don’t know for sure which score would be better to send in. I personally think the one with the higher percentile that you took most recently would be a better choice</p>
<p>How should I write an amazing essay?</p>
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am applying for 9th grade, and really love everything about Exeter. So much of the Exeter pedagogy seems like it would go well with me, and I think Harkness would be extremely fun and not such a terrible adjustment. The one huge problem I have (and I guess this would apply to any BS) is stuff like procrastination, time management, laziness, etc. Would this problem be extremely detrimental to my success at Exeter, or rather, would Exeter teach me how to manage my time properly? </p>
<p>Sort of a stupid question, but please answer honestly. No need to sell the school, Exeter’s fabulous already. 
Anyway, are there any “boring” classes? I mean, even at my school, which I absolutely love, there are always some classes which I don’t look forward to. The way people talk about Harkness makes it seem like every class is an awesome experience in of itself.</p>
<p>The 5 course limit. Is it strict? Because the breadth of opportunities that Exeter offers is virtually unmatched, and then this 5-course limit shows up. I mean, I understand that it is meant to be beneficial, to keep people from being overwhelmed, but still… I have made sample course plans, and there are always some courses that just don’t fit. </p>
<p>Thanks! I think this an amazing thread!!! Merry Christmas!</p>
<p>Hi gapoc459!
Wow, your enthusiasm towards Exeter is awesome! To start with the easier of your questions, there is a cap on the amount of classes you can take. You can only take 5 full academic classes any given term, but you can choose to audit a class. If you do this, then you take the class with other students, but it is ungraded. So, if you really want to take an elective, another language, or any class in addition to your 5 courses, you can. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t really say there are any ‘boring’ classes. Occasionally classes can be a little (hmmm thinking of the word…) slow. By this I mean, if the students are having a rough day or we are all just really tired, class discussion might not be as in-depth/ interesting as it normally is. However, days like these are in the minority. An important thing to realize with Harkness is that the STUDENTS control the discussion. If something seems ‘boring’ to you, just ask a new question that leads to a topic you are more interested in! But I never dislike attending a specific class. (Unless I didn’t complete all of my homework… in which case I might wish class didn’t meet 
) Which brings me to your next question…</p>
<p>Procrastination is an art form at Exeter It is a problem that plagues many of the students. When your living on a campus with so much going on, it is often difficult to utilize time well. Friends, clubs, sports, etc are common activities students have to manage at Exeter. In the process of finding your rhythm, Exeter teaches you great time management skills. I have learned to work much more efficiently. My advice would be to try your best to manage your time well. But don’t worry if you occasionally make mistakes! </p>
<p>Merry Christmas!</p>
<p>Yes. Procrastination is what brings down the brightest kids at Exeter. About half of the kids who leave after a year or two leave because they never fully learn to manage their time. It’s a time suck, and time is of the essence at a place like Exeter. It’s full of distractions (beginning with living in a dorm with dozens of your peers) and certainly a different environment from what students would have experienced at home with a parent regulating his or her lifestyle.
That being said, kids do escape this setback in a year or so. Upper year is usually when people learn to throw themselves in gear, stop procrastinating, and pick up their grades. There’s a lot of pressure to do well, and this sometimes works wonders on students. There are people that will try to help you (Academic Support, Proctors in the dorms, Advisors), but a lot of it comes down to you.</p>
<p>Yes there are boring classes, but in general, the range in the quality of classes leans much closer to the positive than it ever did at my old school. I absolutely love Harkness and would not have had my high school experience any other way, but yes, there are sometimes classes in which the Harkness system just…bloops.</p>
<p>There’s an option called “auditing” in which you can take an extra class without getting a grade for it. You can put in as much effort into it as you do or don’t want to. Many teachers don’t like this option, as it produces students who like the course but only show up once a week or won’t write the papers. This isn’t a function of lazy students, it’s rather the fact that students are signed up to take five classes a term for a reason. With extra-curriculars and other responsibilities, it’s difficult to maintain five classes, let alone give justice to another separate course altogether. It’s best to give your all to the five courses that you’re signed up for. I tried auditing a class this winter with a teacher that I absolutely loved. He’d been trying to get me to take one of his courses for credit, but I didn’t have the room in my schedule. I was also opting, meaning that instead of taking a sport, I have two blocks, two hours, free everyday, but eventually, although it killed me, I realized that I was staying up later and later, not performing at the table in some of my other classes, because I was spending time doing the readings for this one. It wasn’t showing up in my grades, but I wasn’t leaving these classes satisfied and so spoke to the teacher of the class I was auditing and left the course.
That being said, I have also seen students successfully use the audit system to their advantage. It really depends on how much time you have and how difficult the rest of your courses are.</p>
<p>98 bee-
There is no magic formula to writing an amazing essay. Just take your time, write about something that you care about, and put your own personal spin on each essay so that it is personalized for YOU. Remember that the A/O have to read countless essays on the same topics. So stand out. Create an essay about something that only YOU could write about!</p>
<p>Current / Past Exeter Students: I have posted the below question to PEAteacher also, but thought one of you might have an answer too. </p>
<p>I’m wondering how often you come across a student, who was admitted to Exeter directly from 7th to 9th grade i.e. skipped 8th grade. The student in question is one of the oldest kids in his current class, and is extremely mature and independent, but we are not sure how many students with a similar scenario are able to convince the admissions committee. </p>
<p>This is not a typical ‘Chance Me’ question. I just thought you might be in a position to provide some data based on your interaction with your classmates and friends. </p>
<p>In addition to emotional maturity, the student’s stats on paper are quite competitive - 2300+ on the SSAT (upper level), twice participation in the junior world championship in his sport, international volunteering experience, and elected member of his current school’s student council. </p>
<p>Thanks once again for your time.</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, as I’m sure you’re a wonderful applicant and student, but the jump from 7th grade to 9th is just so big. A thing to remember while you’re applying is that Exeter is actually academically difficult. (I shouldn’t be on here right now, I have a physics test to study for!) I think a lot of people get lost in the process of applying, and just kinda assume that it won’t be that difficult. Or, for the people who do apply and know it’s difficult, it’s a lot different than one would think.</p>
<p>It’s important to realize that even though you might be strong academically and mature amongst YOUR peers, skipping one year of school is still strenuous no matter where you skip. Your peers at Exeter are already much more mature than your peers in middle school, and that extra leap (skipping a year) can take its toll on a student. Not only is it academically more rigorous than 7th grade, but socially wise it is also very different. </p>
<p>Also keep in mind that there are many students here who took the SSAT at the upper level and scored beyond 2300+. To not have had leadership experience, volunteering experience, or been on Student council is a rarity. </p>
<p>There’s a girl in my dorm who’s, academically, very capable, but a bit on the younger side. Even though a grade younger than me, she can do my math homework in a heartbeat. She can also score higher on French tests than me, even though I’ve taking French for four years and she’s just starting. She’s very mature, in the sense of being well-educated and profound. She also is a hermit in her room, and has less friends than she can count on her fingers. </p>
<p>It’s quite sad, actually, because on Friday and Saturday nights, the few social nights of the week, instead of going to Grill or meeting up with friends, she’s doing homework, reading, and playing checkers online. I really like her as a person and think she’s quite gifted, but her “maturity” isn’t at the level of the average high schooler’s. </p>
<p>Exeter is tough, both in school-work and emotionally. Younger kids, most of the time, just can not handle it all. Also, keep in mind, that there are new students who are repeats, like the prep right now who turned 16 the summer before he came. Also, some of the PGs are at least 19, maybe 20. Is that the type of environment you’d like to be in as a 11/12-year old? </p>
<p>The school is not for middle schoolers. You’re good at a sport, why not get even better and possibly be “recruited” next year? Exeter will welcome you, but don’t push it. The time will come when it is right.</p>
<p>Exonian14 - I sincerely appreciate your quick response and honest feedback.</p>
<p>Actually the student is a little older than you have assumed (11 or 12). In fact, he missed the age cutoff date of our school district by only a month. Otherwise he would have been in 8th grade now. He wil be 13 yr. 7 months in Sep. 2012, and hangs out with more 8th graders than 7th. But I totally understand what you are saying. </p>
<p>He has been wanting to skip a grade for a few years now. As a father, I have been trying to delay it, but now think he is ready. Looking at the way he interacts with adults, I think he is more at home with kids a grade or two older than him. </p>
<p>I have a little bit of idea about dorm life, because I went to a boarding school myself in grade 7…yea, it was a generation ago. Moreover, I deal with a large number of kids in my profession, so I am able to compare his maturity level with that of other 8th/9th graders. </p>
<p>He recently flew alone to a foreign country (with a flight change in London) to teach middle/high schoolers for 2 weeks. Because of his passionate involvement and high level of maturity, the board of trustees of an 85 member (all adult working professionals) charity made him an honorary member. The board thinks he has the skills and confidence to recruit some high schoolers as volunteers. </p>
<p>At the same time, I realize that the admissions committee may have a different opinion, which we will accept gracefully. After reading your and PEAteacher’s post, I have asked him to set his expectations low, so he is not greatly disappointed in case he is not accepted this year.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your time, and good luck on your exam.</p>
<p>Exonian14 - I sincerely appreciate your quick response and honest feedback.</p>
<p>Actually the student is a little older than you have assumed (11 or 12). In fact he missed the age cutoff date of our school district by only a month. Otherwise he would have been in 8th grade now. He wil be 13 yr. 7 months in Sep. 2012. He hangs out more with current 8th graders than 7th. </p>
<p>I understand what you are saying. He has been wanting to skip a grade for a few years now. As a father, I have been trying to delay it, but now think he is ready. </p>
<p>I have a little bit of idea about dorm life, because I went to a boarding school myself in grade 7…yea, it was a generation ago. Moreover, in my profession, I deal with a large number of kids, so I am able to compare his maturity with other 8th/9th graders. </p>
<p>For example, he recently flew alone to a foreign country (with a flight change in London) to teach middle and high schoolers for 2 weeks. Looking at the way he interacts with adults, I think he is more at home with kids a grade or two older than him. Because of his passionate involvement and high level of maturity, the board of trustees of an 85 member (all adult working professionals) charity made him an honorary member. The board thinks he has the skills and confidence to recruit some high schoolers as volunteers. </p>
<p>At the same time, I realize that the admissions committee may have a different opinion, which we will gracefully accept. I will ensure that I set his expectations low, so he is not greatly disappointed if he is not accepted this year.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your time, and good luck on your exam.</p>