<p>Hello, I am a current Exeter Prep. I just finished with my finals and I'm willing to answer any questions you might have about Exeter.</p>
<p>What other schools did you get into and why did you choose Exeter?</p>
<p>I got into Choate and a school called Webb down in TN. I was waitlisted at Deerfield, Groton, and St. Paul’s and was denied at Hotchkiss and Taft. I didn’t apply to Andover. I chose Exeter because of its environment and people, and the Harkness table. Harkness learning is the best thing ever, and people that say you need to adjust to it obviously have never been in an environment where they actually had to talk prior to being here, because as long as you actually talk you’ll do fine. Exeter is really second to none, you can’t beat it. The people here are amazing and the academics are outstanding.</p>
<p>Do you know of any of your friends who had lower SSAT scores who still got in? I am not a very good test taker but I am still an excellent student.</p>
<p>PEA2016,
What do the one-year seniors (I mean those who are studying in PEA only for 1 year) do in PEA so that they could finish PEA with Diploma. I saw on the website that they have to receive 13 academic credits for their last year but what about arts? Do they have to take some courses in that and could you name any of them?</p>
<p>@idsl, </p>
<p>being a prep, PEA16 may not know much about post-graduate requirements. Take a look at the “Course of Study” tab, it will list requirements by entry year. I believe all PGs must take English, and “other courses as determined by review of record and discussion with deans”. Arts are a popular choice, there are many visual, performing and theatre arts. To have a year to pick among Exeter courses would be a joy indeed, there are many history, literature, economics, astronomy, science and humanities classes I would love to have the chance to take!</p>
<p>OP: Do you agree that Exeter has a great location ?</p>
<p>do kids have time or opportunities to do independent research or to enter science fairs? is it possible to do research in Boston for instance?</p>
<p>@Alecfannie, Yes, I do have friends that scored less on the SSAT. I’ve figured out that my scores were kinda in the middle for Exeter, and that some kids had suprisingly low scores for Exeter.</p>
<p>@idsl, I know that a lot of PGs and one-year seniors take theater courses. These are in the courses of instruction and include Speechmaking, Screenwriting, and Filmmaking, among other things.</p>
<p>@Axelrod, Exeter’s location is great. One hour away from Boston, but not out in the countryside. I suppose if you are one who absolutely MUST be in a big city environment you might find it less charming, but it is a great little town with plenty of places to eat and have fun.</p>
<p>@kayakmom, Unfortunately no on both questions. Kids have time to do independent research on something, but there are no science fairs. Also, to go to Boston requires an OOT (Out-Of-Town) permission, which can take a couple of days to get approved, you would have to work out travel to/from Boston, so it would be a logistical nightmare. I suppose you could if your parents lived in Boston and you were able to get an OOT to go home for the weekend. I know many kids from around the Boston area who do this.</p>
<p>@idsl I had a PG in my Ceramics class this fall. :)</p>
<p>@kayakmom I’m sure students can travel to Boston to research, but it would take a lot of planning. A weekend trip may not be sufficient (especially weeks with Saturday classes), and it is very hard to convince the Dean of Students and the student’s individual teacher to let the student miss class, even if just for a day. In addition, with the new Amtrak laws, any child under 16 is not able to travel on the trains alone, so that may be yet another problem. It really depends on the student’s circumstances I guess. :)</p>
<p>@kayakmom</p>
<p>Regarding “real” science research, there are two good options at Exeter. The first is Astronomy, there is a NASA award and funding, with the science chair. Second, a new program in molecular genetics began this year, where students work at Exeter in spring term and then at Stanford (fully funded) during the summer, with the head of the Stanford MD/PhD program, an Exeter grad, in his large lab. </p>
<p>Many kids also do summer science research in other top programs. Exeter has several kids at MITs RSI every year (Exeter is the only school that has as many kids there, RSI is the premier summer science research program), and Exeter had Intel and Siemen’s award winners recently. </p>
<p>In addition, the science courses are amazing.</p>
<p>@PEA2016
Could you tell me if you know anyone in PEA who was a one-year senior and finished the school with diploma after one year.</p>