<p>Bump ~~~~ :D</p>
<p>Ditto Ranabona on support, but seekers, I’m not sure it will amount to the level of support you’re describing. I wonder whether that’s even possible outside the family. We find we’re still the first to sense that something’s wrong, but advisors have promptly acted on the few occasions when we’ve been worried enough to email or call. That said, I think kids do best when they’re willing to go to adults for help, rather than wait for someone to notice that something’s wrong. Proctors, teachers, coaches, advisors are always ready to help when asked.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all the students who were admitted to Exeter! We hope to see many of you at Experience Exeter (revisit days). If you have questions for an Exeter teacher, feel free to ask them here (we’re on break now, so I’ll have time to answer them!).</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions :)</p>
<p>Just a quick one about dorm assignments, which I know is a bit early…but it has been a question I’ve had throughout the admissions process…is it generally considered acceptable to request a single? I realize that part of going to Exeter is being open and becoming friends with all sorts of people, which I am extremely excited to do, but I do enjoy some privacy…so I would prefer a single…but I am worried it will come across as…rude or something of that sort.</p>
<p>Thanks again :)</p>
<p>Yes, it’s perfectly okay to request a single. It’s certainly not rude! Once you’re registered and all that, you can contact the Deans and let them know that you’d prefer a single. They may not be able to give you one, but they’ll do what they can.</p>
<p>Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better about it :)</p>
<p>A few years ago my son requested a single his prep year and was lucky enough to get one… so it does happen!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! I was wondering who the request should be made to…the Dean of Students? And when would you recommend asking?</p>
<p>I’m going to be a new lower next year, and I’m also curious if anyone has anymore input on the transition to Exeter academically and socially…any info? I’d love to hear the perspective of a student, teacher, or parent!</p>
<p>Yes, contact the office of the Dean of Students. I would do that in May or June.</p>
<p>My experience with new lowers is that they typically do very well: they’re a bit older than preps, which helps them make the transition to boarding school, but they’re also starting in the 10th grade, so they’re not hit in the face with the stress of the 11th grade as new uppers are. In the fall you may feel that returning lowers are ahead of you in many ways: used to Harkness, familiar with the school, possibly better prepared. But they will also be helpful if you reach out to them, and by winter term it’s often hard to tell the difference between new and returning lowers. Just be sure to reach out for help if you need it.</p>
<p>whosanon15,
I am a PEA parent.
Social transition is the last thing you need to worry about. This may sounds like a sound bite, but please take my word for it that it is not - the best thing you could do is be yourself, and you will very quickly find “your group”. Unless they find you first!</p>
<p>Thanks PEATeacher and prepclassof82 for your insight! I am really excited for next year, and I will definitely take your advice about not worrying to much about the social transition :)</p>
<p>My D is an incoming Prep in 2012. She was absolutely sure that she “fits” at PEA after the Experience Exeter program. I tried to convince her that she should seriously consider The Phillips Academy @ Andover because she was also accepted there. My reasoning was that it “felt” that her life woukd be easier at PA and the ultimate benefits would be the same. She is adamant however that Exeter is the right place for her. Hard to criticize her when she is so animated about Harkness and her future smart and creative peers. Yet I am worried. Question to PEAteacher what can a parent do to help her child prepare for the rigger at Exeter. At 14, a child’s willingness to listen to her mom is limited. But time management is going to be key for her. Suggestions ?</p>
<p>PEATeacher,
Can you pls explain Exeter’s grading system? I understand that is 1 to 11. But what does it mean? How does it translate to A-B-C etc. Also, those who are hoping for an IVY college admittance, what kind of grades should they aspire for at Exeter? I hear you that B+ at Exeter is something to be proud about, but is it good enough for Stanford or Princeton or Columbia?</p>
<p>Exeter Grading System:</p>
<p>11 - A
10 - A-
9 - B+
8 - B
7 - B-
6 - C+
5 - C
4 - C-
3 - D+
2 - D
1 - D-
0 - E</p>
<p>From the eBook: (<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/documents/EBook.pdf[/url]”>http://www.exeter.edu/documents/EBook.pdf</a>) Academic standards are high at Phillips Exeter Academy, and
new students may find that grades are lower than those that they have received
elsewhere. Academic work is graded on an 11-point scale, in which A=11, A-=10,
etc. to E=0. The minimum passing grade is D-. A squared (2) annotation next to a
letter grade indicates unsatisfactory effort.
To obtain honors, a student must achieve an overall average of B (8.0), high
honors is a B+ average (9.0), and highest honors is an A- average (10.0 or higher).
Such academic distinctions are made at the end of a term. Provisional grades are
issued at the midterm and are used as indicators to students and advisers of
students progress. These midterm grades also allow faculty to monitor that
progress. Grades issued at the end of the term become the grades of record.</p>
<p>@Exetermum</p>
<p>My daughter also chose Exeter over Andover because of revisit days. I can assure you that she made a great choice. She was immediately impressed by how friendly, genuinely warm and approachable the students and faculty are. She enjoys the classes, and finds Harkness is much more fun and productive compared to listening to lectures. She is more than holding her own academically, does not feel overwhelmed, and finds that spending some free periods during the day on homework takes off the pressure from study hours at night. She is getting actively involved in several clubs, and enjoys sports. She is very glad she made the decision she did. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.</p>
<p>Exetermum, regarding how to prepare your D for Exeter, anything that you can do to help her learn good time management will certainly be good. And making sure that she’s as self-sufficient as possible (assuming she will be a boarder) will help as well. Thanks to ExeterMama (an obvious relative of Exetermum :)) for explaining the grading system. Admission at Ivy League schools is very competitive and there’s no such thing as a certain GPA that will get you in. These schools look at a variety of factors. So a B average may be enough to get you into Harvard if you’re a recruited athlete, but a 10.5 (A/A-) average will not be enough if you don’t have other attributes that the school is looking for. It’s not a good idea to start at Exeter with the Ivies as a goal. Your D should focus on taking her classes seriously, getting involved in activitites she finds interesting, and considering a broad range of colleges when the time comes.</p>
<p>Hahaha… no relation to Exetermum, we just both have good taste in selecting user names. :-)</p>