Have you attended any of the regional “invitational events/receptions” for Exeter yet? @heartburner
Underrepresented state - I think that there may be a total of 2 or 3 students that would be at an event like this so I don’t think that there will be one. I know that they exist for the bigger cities in the east and west coasts though.
Congratulations! I’m an alum of Exeter.
- No
- I got my email in the middle of summer
- I requested a dorm because I was scared to death I'd end up in a house, being a transfer. I wanted a single and I knew my dorm had singles. I was happy with my dorm because I had the opportunity to tour it before deciding. I'm going to go against the grain here and say request if nice facilities are important to you.
- Depends on the dorm. Some dorm fac are lenient about what they allow students to do in the dorm, ie hang christmas lights / paintings/ etc and bring in stuff that's not "technically" allowed, like video games, and other dorm fac are strict about every E book rule. Scope out your dorm first and then go to Wallmart when you get there. They have shuttles.
What is the best girl dorm? I want a loose, fun sort of dorm that’s really close knit. Plus singles are nice.
Can I decorate my room with lights and carpets? Are they big enough to put a sofa or a couch in? Are there shuttles to New York/Boston over the weekends?
I have been accepted to Phillips Exeter Academy for grade 10 (Prep? Lower? Not exactly sure of the terminology) and I’m a little bit confused about how things will go from here.
- Is revisit day mandatory?
- When do I found out which dorm I'm in?
- Should I request for a dorm? I've heard people say that requesting for a dorm is often detrimental to the "Exeter experience". Is this true?
- How far can I go to decorate my room? Can I buy carpets, posters, lights, etc?
Thanks!
Can I decorate my room with lights and carpets?
Carpet, yes; lights not sure–it may vary by dorm (check the e-book) They might be considered a fire hazard. But I had a son at school, and suspect lights are more of a girl dorm room thing!
Are they big enough to put a sofa or a couch in?
After first year, my kid had a nice leather couch in his room that he bought from a graduating senior. He loved that couch, but there was a bedbug infestation in one of the dorms in spring 2013 and the school more or less banned upholstered furniture being brought in from the outside (and destroyed all furniture in the FA storage facility, which included my son’s couch). I don’t know if that ban is still being enforced this year or not. At any rate, there’s probably not room for a couch prep year.
Are there shuttles to New York/Boston over the weekends?
There aren’t usually shuttles but Amtrak runs directly to Boston from Exeter and the station is an easy walk. However, you now have to be 16 to ride Amtrak without an adult, which is a bummer. Have to say, though, that my kid really didn’t leave school grounds on week-ends, except for school-related events. He was really busy, so a day in Boston wasn’t really feasible, and there were good places to hang out in Exeter itself, so he didn’t get bored at school. There are shuttles that run to and from New York and Boston for breaks, and the school sometimes sponsors trips to shows in the cities.
Amtrak Website Excerpt
Children 13, 14 and 15 years old may travel unaccompanied in accordance with the Amtrak Unaccompanied Minor Policy, which includes the following conditions:
Travel is permitted only on Amtrak trains. Travel is not permitted on Thruway motorcoach service, or on any other connecting services.
Both boarding and arrival stations must be staffed. (Please note that even certain staffed stations do not allow for unaccompanied minors.)
All travel must take place on the same day with the scheduled departure time no earlier than 5:30 am and the scheduled arrival time no later than 9:30 pm. Overnight travel is not allowed.
No transfers of any kind are permitted.
All travel must be within the United States. Unaccompanied minors may not cross the US-Canadian border.
For each unaccompanied minor traveling alone, the adult (at least 18 years old) bringing the child to the departure station must complete and sign a release form. Both the adult and the minor must be at the boarding station at least 1 hour before the train’s departure time.
The child must be interviewed by station personnel to determine if the child is capable of traveling alone.
The child must wear an Amtrak issued wristband for the duration of travel.
The adult must remain at the station until the train has departed.
Upon arrival, an adult (at least 18 years old) must be present to pick up the child. The adult must display valid current identification meeting the Amtrak ID policies.
Children traveling alone are not entitled to a children’s discount; full adult fares are charged and no additional discounts are permitted.
Tickets for unaccompanied children may not be purchased online.
Because there are not at least two staffed stations along several routes, unaccompanied minors may not travel between any stations on the Downeaster (Boston, MA - Portland, ME), Heartland Flyer (Oklahoma City, OK - Fort Worth, TX) and Pere Marquette (Chicago, IL - Grand Rapids, MI).
Children 16 and over may travel without restriction.
The trick is that you have to be dropped off and picked up by an adult. I think some kids get around this by travelling with seniors who are over 18.
Hey guys,
I am an incoming prep at Exeter and I was wondering what your opinion was when it came to dorm rooms. I have had different people advise me to doubles or singles for many reasons. I would like you know your opinion.
Secondly, how would you approach your first term at PEA? Would you partake in many clubs and/or sports or would you focus on learning how to deal with the extreme academics? I have heard that for people less apt at science and math it is much better to take Bio in the first term.
Thanks in advance,
Harry
Since first term prep year is pass/fail, most preps enjoy getting acclimated to being away from home, trying new things, and meeting friends. The academics are not particularly “extreme” especially at first.
Almost everyone takes a mandatory PE class or sport each term (upperclassmen can opt out of PE for a single term), and prep year the PE class introduces all the sports and is nick-named “spaz”. Alternately preps can be on teams. Mandatory sports all end just before dinner.
When academics do get into gear, classes have about 40 minutes of homework each on school nights, so using time efficiently for the 5 classes is important. There is usually a free period, lunch, and then study hall for preps starts at 8 PM, so the 3.5 hours of homework gets done if procrastination is avoided. Time management is an important skill to learn at Exeter. Arguably THE most important skill.
There is a wide variability in class difficulty. Most people feel that their academic load is self-imposed. Taking one or two challenging classes a term is usually OK, but taking 5 together can be overwhelming. Plan wisely and ask proctors and upper class students and your advisor for guidance.
RENOWNED for gratuitous difficulty are: latin and greek. 300 level History classes have a lot of writing. Enriched math and multivariable calculus have challenging problem sets.
It’s fun and very helpful to check the 2015-16 course catalogue (which is up on-line under “academics” tab) and plan out four years, including all graduation requirements, with math, english, language, science, and history while keeping to the five classes a term limit (except for health and some music which allow going over 5). You will immediately see that there will be trade-offs between 4 years of history and 4 years of math and 4 years of science, in order to include art, computer science, etc.
@HarryLegs yes most people start with bio in prep year. It is challenging.
Prep fall Physics and enriched prep physics winter/spring are usually for the math/science folks who are aiming for more advanced physics/science/math classes later.
The trick is that you have to travel with an adult as the quote from @GryffinHunter states:
How much this is enforced these days I have no idea, but when I was looking at schools 4 years ago, I was told that Amtrak was very strict on this route; times may have changed, IDK.
What if you are a science person but you really want to get to those advanced 300-level BIO classes and advanced Biology? Would Bio Prep Year, then Chem Lower Year + (2) 300 Level Bio Classes, then Advanced Biology Upper Year?
Does this below look good?
Prep Year
Fall
ENG110:9th Grade English
HIS109:Classical Greece
MAT13T:Transition Mathematics
BIO110:Introduction to Biology
RUS110:
HHD110:Health
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
Winter
ENG120:9th Grade English
HIS110:Classical Rome
MAT210:Integrated Mathematics
BIO120:Introduction to Biology
RUS120:
HHD120:Health
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
Spring
ENG130:9th Grade English
HIS111:The Medieval Worlds
MAT220:Integrated Mathematics
BIO130:Introduction to Biology
RUS130:
HHD130:Health
PEC111:Junior Physical Education Program (Crew Focus)
Lower Year
Fall
ENG210:10th Grade English
MAT230:Integrated Mathematics
CHEM210:An Introduction to Physical Chemistry
RUS210:
BIO371:Introductory Genetics 1
Gym Options
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
PEC150:Outdoor Challenge
PEC331:Boys Crew (Novice)
PEC104:Yoga as Meditation
Winter
ENG220:10th Grade English
MAT310:Advanced Integrated Mathematics
CHEM220:An Introduction to Physical Chemistry
RUS220:
BIO372:Molecular Genetics
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
Spring
ENG230:10th Grade English
MAT320:Advanced Integrated Mathematics
CHEM230:An Introduction to Physical Chemistry
RUS230:
THR211:Fundamentals of Acting
PEC108:Club Fencing
Upper Year
Fall
ENG310:11th Grade English
HIS331:United State History, Colonial Origins to 1861
MAT330:Advanced Integrated Mathematics
RUS310:
BIO410:Advanced Biology
Gym Options
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
PEC150:Outdoor Challenge
PEC331:Boys Crew (Novice)
PEC104:Yoga as Meditation
Winter
ENG320:11th Grade English
HIS332:United States History, 1861-1941
MAT340:Advanced Integrated Mathematics
RUS320:
BIO420:Advanced Biology
THEATRE:Substitute for Gym Requirement
Spring
ENG330:11th Grade English
HIS333:United States History, 1941-Present
RUS330:
BIO430:Advanced Biology
BIO470:Biology Research
OPT OUT of GYM
Senior Year
Fall (In RUSSIA ABROAD)
ENG410or411:12th Grade English or Advanced Writing
PHY210:Principles of Physics
Arts Credit
OPT OUT of GYM
Winter
ENG420or421:12th Grade English or Advanced Writing
CSC211:Algorithms and The Dynamic Web
PHY220:Principles of Physics
RUS460:
BIO351:Evolution
THEATRE:Substitute for GYM
Spring
REL420:Introduction to Philosophy
REL310:Social Ethics:Values in a Changing America
PHY230:Principles of Physics
RUS470:
ENG479:Visions of Paradise? Utopias and Dystopias in Literature
THEATRE:Substitute for GYM
Thanks for the advice!
Any tips for dorm life? (ie doubles vs singles, which dorms to request, etc.)
Hi everyone! I’m a current lower at Exeter. I’d be happy to help with any questions
@GryffinHunter That is a very detailed plan for the next four years. For the most part, you seem to have a good grasp of the curriculum. I will say that for math, you will be placed in the appropriate math level. If by any chance, you feel that you are in the wrong level once you begin class, the department is very open to people moving up and down within the first few weeks (Important tip here: if you feel out of place in your class, speak up!) Russian is a great language to learn, Mama Inna is a well liked teacher here. You may want to consider doing other electives besides history in prep year.
You will probably change your mind about a lot of these courses once you’re here (if you come here), but it doesn’t hurt to have some form of a long-term plan.
@HarryLeggs I find that the ever popular doubles vs singles question is really a personal one.
You may (emphasizing the MAY) want to be in a doubles if you are: less familiar with sleeping away from home, find it hard to wake up on your own, want to have easier time transitioning in the first week, open/easy-going as to differing habits etc., have siblings/have shared a room with siblings
You MAY want to be in a single if you: like being alone, are more independent, have very specific habits/sleeping time, single child?
Keep in mind that these qualifiers are really not binding. In fact you may “fit in” more with one category, but actually prefer the other. For example, say you have shared a room with siblings your entire life and you are comfortable with sharing with others. You may want to use boarding school as your opportunity to finally escape this lifestyle and be SINGLE and FREE! 
Some people here either 1. love their roommates to death and become best friends and request to be roommates in ensuing years or 2. are okay with their roommates (talking/friendly) and then either switch to a single or double with a close friend in lower year or 3. really dislike their roommate and request for a roommate change in the middle of prep year. So even if you are a “doubles” person, you really don’t know what your experience is going to be like.
Keep in mind that the majority of kids will be assigned to a doubles in most dorms. Some dorms, Mcconnell comes to mind (girl’s dorm), are singles only.
Thanks! I probably fit into the singles category, as I have always had my own room and wake at 6:00 every morning.
Is there room in my schedule for more electives prep year? I really don’t want a sharp drastic change from what I’m used to now (which is little to no hw) so I tried to have 4 classes + health so I have transition time to get used to the added workload.
@Gryffin good job with the 4 year schedule.
Consider a 1/3 credit music each term prep year, fun and meets the art requirement for a class without using a term course. West African drumming or music lessons are options for 1/3 credit music.
I would suggest a little more math. Bio 351 (evolution) could duplicate your other bio courses, and with 9 credits already in bio, a math would work better for you there. Check minimum math requirements at some colleges of interest, many suggest 4 years.
Bio 470 requires an application, but with your coursework in bio it would make sense. Not completely sure it can be scheduled together with bio 430, but check. Consider spending the summer between upper and senior year at Stanford, there is an Exeter-Stanford molecular genetics summer research program.
My D did the same history sequence, in that order (Greece, Rome, Medieval prep year……US times 3) and thought it was great. But she regretted not taking European history. It just did not fit.
Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.
I do love math. I felt that that was what I was lacking. I’ve already done 3 years of HS math (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry/Trignometry). IDK where I will be placement wise so I went with the lowest possible progression.
There is NO room for European History otherwise it would be in my schedule.