My child received great news regarding all three schools on March 10th and we are now facing the choice of having to choose between the 3. I’m rapidly absorbing all the great information on CC but I thought I would start a thread if anyone would like to weigh in on the decision. I’m confident she will flourish wherever she ends up going. My wife and I are planning to do revisits if possible at all 3 schools and to really follow the process through so that we can make the best decision for our child. We live in the Boston area luckily so getting up to visit the 3 schools shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s such a huge decision. I would to hear people’s thoughts.
Congrats to your daughter! Great you are doing revisits and, hopefully, that will give you and your daughter some personal clarity on what is the best fit. Any will give her a wonderful education. Would she be a boarding student at all 3 schools? Personally, I would go with Exeter or Andover for a boarding student just on the boarding percentages, unless there is a personal and compelling reason to choose Milton over the other two schools. Exeter and Andover have different vibes which will probably become more clear at revisits. Andover seems to “roll out the red carpet” more at revisits while Exeter takes a more low key approach. Don’t let the stylistic differences of the revisit sway your daughter from basing her decision on more concrete and important factors.
Andover and Exeter have many cross-admits; when you attend revisit days it is a lot of the same families. We noticed that most families had an immediate “fit” with one vs. the other, as we did. They are different but both wonderful schools, definitely a reason to visit them both at revisit and see which one works for you and your child. The schools schedule revisit days back to back to make it convenient for families traveling from a distance to visit both.
I think your child could have a wonderful experience at any one of the three. Congratulations! I suggest you revisit the schools, then decide which fits your child (and you) best. If the cost of tuition is a concern, compare the schools’ offers in detail. Do the schools cover school-organized trips during break? Are students charged different fees?
Thank you everyone for your kind and insightful comments. We are definitely doing revisit days. It’s going to be a crazy three weeks leading up to April 10th. The 3 schools are certainly different. Here is to hoping we make a choice that results in the best fit for our child (and us).
For me the Milton day kid population is too big…possibly also at Andover, we like a dress code. I am sure you will have a gut reaction when you visit. Congrataulations!
What are some things that I could be doing during the next few weeks to move the decision process along? Should I ask to be put in touch with parents or students associated with each school? The schools are on break currently so we’re not able to see them currently. Some of the threads that I have found on this forum have been quite helpful so far. They really help to give insight into what attending one of these schools might be like for my child.
There is a lot of information available on Exeter and Andover on this forum… getting in touch with real students and parents is really a good idea, they can tell you the reality and answer your questions and clear your doubts. Can someone shed more information on Milton, I don’t see a lot available but I do know it is a fantastic school and at par with Andover and Exeter, they use Harkness method just like Exeter. The only difference I found is the % mix of day/boarding. Phenomenal on athletics and I have heard that school environment is very supportive of students as individual not just the athletic mold.
@CCMystic: Your parents will probably be receiving calls shortly from parents of current students at these schools who will make themselves available to you and your family to answer any questions you may have and help you with your decision-making process. If you do not receive this form of reach-out, definitely take the initiative to contact the schools and ask to be put in touch with current families.
My daughter is a senior at Andover. If you’d like to inbox me with questions, I’d be happy to answer. I personally have a love/hate relationship with the school but I totally respect the academics and the opportunities. My daughter’s best friend in middle school went to Exeter and there is an interesting dynamic between the 2 schools. The current headmaster of Andover is an Exeter grad and vice versa. The students have a terrific time each year on Andover-Exeter day, and for the most part have a healthy happy relationship. My daughter once said that she plans to send her kids to Andover. I asked if any other bs would be acceptable, and she replied, I suppose Exeter. Ha! Should her kids be so fortunate…Milton is also wonderful, but as people have suggested they have the largest day student population. Additionally, they have a k-8 program so many of those students continue on in high school whereas everyone is new at Andover & Exeter. Andover has the next highest percentage of day students. Some folks don’t like this; I found it an advantage because my daughter had opportunities to escape campus to the refuge of a safe happy home.
I agree with other posters that it will become immediately self-evident where your daughter belongs. The cultures are different. Andover does not really have a dress code for most occasions which I think is a shame. (no denim or slovenly attire) Andover does not use the Harkness method for math or science.
@bsalum : I will definitely take you up on your offer and will inbox you with some questions that I have regarding Andover.
The comments in this thread are quite timely. We received our Parent Directory from Exeter today which will allow us to reach out to some current students/parents of the school. We have revisit days scheduled for all three as of yesterday which sets my mind at ease to a degree. We’re continuing to do our homework at this point. I’m sure one will ultimately click with our child.