Choosing Exeter?

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>My first choice for forever has been Exeter, so naturally, when I was accepted, I knew I definitely wanted to go. The problem is, I haven't been rejected by other schools. I just need a little insight to the pros and cons of Exeter in relation to the other schools.</p>

<p>Other schools:</p>

<p>Choate- I don't really like the kids; they just rubbed me the wrong way. I got a very "popular" or "nerd" atmosphere, which is a severe turn-off for me. School is meant to be school, not about having fun and partying all the time. I know some people really like it, but I just didn't have any connection</p>

<p>Hotchkiss- Kind of the opposite of Choate. I felt a little better here, but I felt like everyone was so super serious. I loved the facilities though (English department is gorgeous!). I definitely felt a competitive edge and all together I just don't think it is the school for me.</p>

<p>Andover- I liked the school a lot, though I didn't like the campus as much as Exeter's. I got a bad impression of the school because I had a very odd tour-guide. I didn't like that there was no dress code; kids walked around in what seemed to be their pajamas. The general atmosphere seemed to be "I don't care as long as I get good grades." I loved the Humanities portion of the school, but I love math and sciences as well and didn't love those departments.</p>

<p>Deerfield- I loved the general atmosphere of the school, as it was a little more relaxed than the other schools I have mentioned. However, I don't think I would fit in socially because I don't play school sports. I also wish the academics were slightly more rigorous.</p>

<p>St. Pauls- Honestly, I really didn't like this school. I felt out of place, and the campus and kids sort of freaked me out. The kids seemed depressed, and the campus and buildings were dark and seemed in need of renovation. My parents actually said to me "Unless you are not accepted anywhere else, you are not going here." I guess thats the end of that.</p>

<p>Thanks for any feed back. Right now is an important time of evaluation and decision. Unless revisit day sucks or someone tells me something bad, I think Exeter is by far my first choice.</p>

2

<p>Go to revisits! It will give you a much better insight into the schools. Don’t make a decision yet. Every year, many kids have their mind set on attending a certain school based on a few hours spent on campus during an interview. They then go to revisits and often change their mind completely. All are wonderful schools and congrats on being accepted to so many wonderful schools! Very, very few can say that.</p>

<p>Hold off on making any judgements now and enjoy the revisits with an open mind. Besides, it’s really fun to let the schools pursue you for a change instead of the other way around! Enjoy and Congrats!</p>

<p>Also, I could sit here and list out the various reasons why you should reconsider your opinion on St. Paul’s. Attend revisit day and the school will speak for itself. You’re definitely doing yourself a disservice if you don’t.</p>

3

<p>My son attends Exeter, I would be happy to pm with you. I wouldn’t make your decision based on whether or not “someone tells me something bad” because you can always find someone unhappy with/at any one of these schools. Anyway, feel free to contact me.</p>

4

<p>thanks so much for your insight, guys! Im really looking forward to revisits!</p>

5

<p>So far you have only been accepted to Exeter and Choate right?<br>
I would be very hesitant to advise you to turn down Exeter for a waitlist at another school…</p>

6

<p>cutiedida - I thought from your post that you had received acceptances to all those schools. Well, definitely wait and see where you are accepted then go to revisits. Don’t hang your hat on any waitlists. Just go with the options at hand. Exeter and Choate are both great options.</p>

7

<p>I’m in the same shoe ur in. Accepted at Andover Exeter choate and peddie. Wl at Deerfield and sps.</p>

8

<p>I was waitlisted at Hotchkiss, which from the above was not really where I wanted to go anyway. I am not currently home, so I have to wait until sunday to get to my mailbox.</p>

9

<p>cutiedida, congrats. So, you’ve listed your concerns about the other 5 schools, but why did you like PEA so much? Ironically, the same thing happened to us at PEA that happened to you at Andover - an unfortunate choice of a student tour guide, who was especially unaware of some extracurricular activities that are key for us. But we need to look past that!</p>

10

<p>Yeah if you have any questions you can ask me too. I’m a current prep at Exeter.</p>

11

<p>I’ve always thought it was interesting how much one person (the tour guide) can influence an entire family’s perception and judgment of a school. Keep in mind that pretty much anyone may sign up to be a tour guide, so the pool draws from a variety of people with a variety of passions – and of them are a few people who signed up to show people around, but who really don’t care much for it at all. </p>

<p>Glad you liked Exeter though</p>