Exeter? Ask a student

<p>I am going to be tasking art, compsi, and history for my electives this year as an incoming prep.</p>

<p>Anyone have experience with (or have a DC with experinece) taking a comp sci elective during the first term as a prep?</p>

<p>Is it something that would be fine or you would not recommend it just coming out of the gate?</p>

<p>Ranabona, although I am an incoming prep and I may not have the best advice, I think that is a bad idea. take an art to help adjust to boarding school life</p>

<p>Depends on the comp. sci.–one is considerably harder than the others. Can’t remember numbers, but it’s a level above the other two.</p>

<p>My son took Essential Programming (CSC 315) Winter Term of his prep year. He is very strong in math and science and found the class to be challenging. It was also time consuming (he said, however, that he didn’t have to spend as much time as he did perfecting certain aspects of his programs). For preps, I strongly recommend a less intense elective Fall Term. They are all settling in, making new friends, etc. My son took an art class, which he really enjoyed. They also tend to sign up for lots of clubs in the beginning. By Winter Term, they know which clubs they really want to participate in. I think my son signed up for 7-8 and now he only attends 2 of them - lol! Of course he has a long list of others he wants to try next year. Maybe a theater or religion class is a good choice for your child. Just choose something they like/are excited about learning/doing. My son is happy, however, that he completed the Com Sci class his prep year.</p>

<p>qwerty24 - as far as the bio vs physics question, I think it has a lot to do with your child. I think Exeter prefers preps to take bio. We were told that only kids with strong math backgrounds and some physics experience should take physics. My son had those but took it mostly because he doesn’t love bio. Many preps take physics and do very well. He will take bio next year. I would recommend whichever your child is most comfortable with. In my opinion, you want to make sure they are taking things that won’t be too much of a challenge that first term at Exeter.</p>

<p>Scribbler94, it is unfortunate that you display the unintentional racism that made Exeter such a trial for African-American and Latino students. Why don’t you also throw in “if you’re a legacy, faculty brat or buy your way in 9’s will get you into HYP-Stanford/” Considering that 60% of admits to top University all have some hook to get them into school, focusing on race demonstrates your schooling has not provided you with much of an education.</p>

<p>Sadly, from what I have gathered from speaking to minority alums from other boarding schools, such racism is common.</p>