<p>Does being lukewarm about everything make me a weak applicant? I have tried plenty, but I sincerely have not found an overriding interest yet. How exactly does being interested in, for example, arts just like some hundreds other applicants make you stand out in the pool?</p>
<p>EnemyOfTheSun-
Many students who apply to Exeter have common interests. What really makes a person stand out is how they USE that interest. A/O understand that we are 13 years old. They don’t expect us to have cured cancer (yet 
). What I really think makes an applicant stand out is how they have challenged themselves to improve their natural talents. For example taking the most challenging classes, aiding in service projects, etc are all ways that you can show A/O that your dedicated to improving yourself. Make the most of opportunities handed to you, and create opportunities for yourself if none are clearly present.</p>
<p>GradeSkip-
Personally I don’t really know the ages of all the people in my grade. A girl in my dorm just turned 13 this fall, and it wasn’t that big of a deal. Her maturity and friendliness allows her to fit in seamlessly with the student body. I think skipping the grade before you apply to BS can be a challenge. It is hard to prove to A/O that your child is academically and socially reader for a boarding school environment. But if you feel they are ready, then I would go for it. At the very least it makes you familiar with the admissions process. Good luck!</p>
<p>GradeSkip, I think there have been a couple students recently who have entered as young 12 year olds, but I am pretty sure there is an age cutoff for anything much younger than that. Because of that, the applicant should have as much a chance as anyone else for admission if he demonstrates readiness for the rigor of Exeter’s academics at this age. There are many aspects of Exeter life that the applicant might want to consider, as the others have pointed out. Although I entered high school (public school) when I was 13 and fared well, I didn’t attend Exeter until I was 16. I didn’t even know about Exeter until 10th grade, but I am sure that I wouldn’t have been ready to enter Exeter in 9th grade. I am glad that I had time to mature a bit socially and academically. In addition to the demands of boarding school life, Exeter provides a different perspective. It might be useful for the applicant to have an extra year to absorb his surroundings, his peers, his family, and develop academic and social skills. This may or may not be necessary depending on his readiness, but he should consider his decision carefully.</p>
<p>Musisat, Thanks for the response. </p>
<p>I agree with you that each candidate is different and also that Exeter can quickly become a particularly difficult place to live in if one doesn’t fit in socially. Younger candidates have a steeper hill to climb just because of their age, and I think the AO has a good reason to ensure that these kids are rock-solid ready before they are put in the pressure cooker of an extremely competitive institution.</p>
<p>Gradeskip-</p>
<p>I realize that I sounded a bit harsh in my reply. I apologize! I feel quite strongly, though, that before coming into Exeter, one extremely prepared in the maturity aspect, both emotionally and socially. It’s better to come in here older than younger, and more experienced with schoolwork than less. </p>
<p>If your son is intent on skipping a grade, have you ever thought of possibly having him skip in public school or his current school, and then repeating prep year here, or go into lower year? That way he’d have the “academic difficulty” he wants, and also be well-prepared for Exeter.</p>
<p>Exonian14, </p>
<p>I don’t think your response was harsh. I believe you that you might not have come across anyone yet who skipped a grade to come to Exeter. Such admissions have to be exceptions rather than rules. After all 9th grade is structured for kids who just finished 8th grade. Everything has to fall in place for such students to be able to get in - excellent grades, excellent SSAT score, extra-ordinary ECs, leadership experience, and a good interview. </p>
<p>Initially your response did come across as a little bit ‘dismissive’ of the kid’s accomplishments, but I quickly realized that maybe I felt that way because I am his father and perhaps a little biased in his favor. I agree with you that there must be many kids in your class who had a 2300+ SSAT. I also agree that a majority of the admitted kids bring a phenomenal leadership and volunteering experience to the class. Additionally there must be some exceptional athletes. </p>
<p>But I hope you will agree with me that it must take a lot of mental toughness, discipline, and time management skills in one 13 year old to be able to pull off all of the above - academics, leadership, volunteering, and sports. Such a student is almost a buy 1 get 1 free deal, especially for the athletic department. </p>
<p>In a way, your initial response might help him in the interview. I have given him the impression that it would be almost a miracle if he gets in. This might motivate him to do some more research on the school and prepare well for the interview. </p>
<p>I like your idea of skipping a grade in his current school, and trying for Exeter when he is a little older. But believe me or not, the guy is crazy about Exeter. He wants to spend full 4 years there - if possible. Generally speaking, I buy your social and emotional readiness argument, because I went to a boarding school as a 7th grader back in the day when hazing was part of the deal. But I’m not worried about him, because the guy is tough as a nail. </p>
<p>BTW, I am thinking of inviting him to this forum. The amount of explaining he will have to do here to prove his toughness will make the actual interview feel like a cakewalk. Just kidding 
</p>
<p>Anyway, how was your Physics test? I hope you did well.</p>
<p>Physics test was great! I actually think I did well (a first in physics)! Bring your son to the forum, I’m sure we can all help him out!</p>
<p>I too was in love with Exeter. I don’t want to be Debbie downer though, but don’t fall in love with one specific school! Just in case you don’t get it, it’s nice to have other options. Even though I only applied to three, and would have been happy going to any of them. In the end, it was Exeter, and I’m super happy I’m here- but I would have no qualms with going to Choate or wherever! </p>
<p>I do think that repeating prep year is a really great thing to do, especially if you’d be young to come in as a new lower. A lot of repeat preps are able to be friends with both the lower and prep class because of age and grade, and they can go into quite advanced classes (for the most part). </p>
<p>Also keep in mind, that I know of someone who plans on repeating prep year next year, not because of any particular reason, but because “girls like the older guys”.</p>
<p>Just something to keep in mind. ;)</p>
<p>Hello, Current and Past Exeter Students: I am a parent of an 8th grader and he is applying for 9th grade at Exeter. I’d love to hear your input about the importance of maturity for the success in admission and the success at Exeter after the admission. The student in question is quite strong academically, but is not as mature (as the youngest in the grade). How good is Exeter as to help these type of kids mature, any examples of successful or failed cases to share? </p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Did any of your classmates go to the same middle school as you?</p>
<p>Hello everyone, I’m sorry I haven’t been on lately. Winter term was tough, but now since I’m on spring break I have much more free time to answer questions! Before I dive back into answering questions I wanted to give a shout out to all if the applicants this year! With March 10 being only hours away, now seems like a great time to applaud all of you for your hard work. If you are a future exonian, congratulations! I hope to see you at Experience Exeter! If you didn’t gain admittance this year, you still deserve congratulations for completing your application and working so hard. If coming to Exeter is something you are serious about, then I strongly encourage you to try again next year, and to attend summer school!</p>
<p>But doubtless of the results you all desrve a pat on the back! Good luck, and may the force be with you!</p>
<p>im not sure if ishould write this here…
im from germany and just want to ask if there is an exeter office in germany ,
my internet isnt very good and the website does not work stable</p>
<p>Thank you for answering my previous questions!!! I’m really looking forward to March 10. Just a question about notification: there’s a rumor at school that Exeter emails decisions at 6:30 on Saturday (this info was supposedly gained from an Exeter faculty member), but Andover sent a disclaimer earlier saying that they would not be sending an email, and I think they mentioned that Exeter wouldn’t either. Does anyone here know how it works? I’ll probably wake up early just in case, but still! :P</p>
<p>I remember I received an e-mail last year from Exeter on the 10th, but Andover does not necessarily know how Exeter does it. Only Exeter knows exactly how they do it.</p>
<p>Hi lionprid3 did you get an email from Fedex telling you that you will be receiving a package from the school a few days before March10?</p>
<p>Eugenieae: It has historically been a 6 am email, followed by (if accepted) a folder in regular mail.</p>
<p>Don’t know if future will follow the past, but looking back at son’s email from 3/10/09, time stamp was 6:11am, subject heading “Exeter Admission Decision”, from “<a href=“mailto:decisions@exeter.edu”>decisions@exeter.edu</a>”. Good luck everyone.</p>
<p>It looks that the emails were sent by AO, not automatic generated. So emails will arrive at different time from 6AM… They need to send out thousands of emails… It does take a while…</p>
<p>axxlex-
To the best of my knowledge, Exeter doesn’t have ‘offices’ around the country or globe. I know some of the A/Os do domestic traveling about admission, but I don’t think there are any internationally traveling officers. (But, I could be wrong).</p>
<p>eugeniae-
I didn’t get an email from FedEx about an arriving package from any of the schools I was admitted at. Exeter sent me the email March 10, and then the package arrived March 11-12. Some of the other schools have online notification about the admission decision. However most of the schools just sent me packages that arrived March 10-11.</p>
<p>kntaops48-
Your question is a good one, and it is also one that I have trouble answering. I think Exeter does mature students, but the student has to be motivated in order to ‘mature.’ There is adult support if you are having difficulties adjusting to the academy, but I think a certain amount of maturity is needed in order to truly excel here.</p>
<p>Class of 2015-
No one from my middle school even applied to Exeter as far as I know. Boarding school isn’t a very popular choice for families in my region. When I told my friends I was going away to school, I think they all assumed I had done something wrong or gotten in trouble with the law!</p>
<p>Dear LionPrid3
- How would you describe the “school character” of Exeter? In other words, what kind of personality is best suited for Exeter? I’m a self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. I am very intelligent and quite logical. I hate messiness and inefficiency. I’m reserved and stoic, though quite polite in a withdrawn way.
- Is Exeter better at Math and Science, or English and history? I am more of an English and History person.
- Please explain to me, step-by-step, how math is thought at Exeter.
- What sports is Exeter good at? I’d like to golf, ski, and play tennis. How much school spirit do the students have on a scale of zero-to-ten?
- What is your impression of the students at Choate and Andover? I am considering those as well, and I find it sometimes helpful to see the impression of students in other schools.</p>