Exeter? Ask a teacher

Prep School Admissions
101

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Question... Is there a cafe type place (like Starbucks, except maybe more cozy, or merged with a bookstore) that I can go and get my hw done over the weekends. When I have a lot of studying over weekends I usually go to the cafe around 10 get a large coffee shake and study.

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<p>See liddyb4's answer. You may find that you'd rather hang out somewhere on campus, though.</p>

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Also, for the "classical diploma" I would need to complete both Greek and Latin, correct? If I chose to go to PEA this would be something that I would like to accomplish, but I am currently taking French2 and I do not know if dropping that completely is a good idea. I originally wanted to take Latin/Fr but Greek is too cool.

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<p>Yes, you need both Latin (up to 411 or 430) and Greek (up to 130). If you do the classical diploma, make sure that you do it because you're passionate about the classics. I feel that some students at Exeter do it just because it's hard and carries a certain amount of prestige. I think that's a silly reason to do it, especially because it really limits your ability to take other electives you may be interested in.</p>

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Question2: What happens to students who are truly struggling in a class. Not because a lack of effort, just a genuine struggle. Does the advisor work w/ the teacher?

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<p>Yes, typically the adviser and the teacher will talk. If your problems are just in one class, you will work mostly with the teacher of that class. E.g., you may meet one on one with the teacher on a regular basis for extra help. Or you may take advantage of peer tutoring.</p>

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And how many students would you say balance the highest mark (11?) in each class, yet manage to due many other things.

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<p>Maintaining an 11.0 GPA is extremely challenging. A 10.0 GPA (A-) is considered highest honors and is seen a bit more often (but still very challenging). My suggestion: stop thinking in terms of a "GPA goal." Do your best job while making time to do the things you care about. Grades will follow. Keep in mind that this is Exeter. No college expects you to have an 11.0 coming from Exeter.</p>

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Could I take two languages like Spanish and Chinese?

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<p>Yes, if you can fit them in your schedule.</p>

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I've been wondering about kids leaving campus. I looked thru the e-book and it talked about kids taking their bikes off campus ect. What type of permission is needed for this? Who keeps track of where they're going? - Thanks

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<p>liddyb4 said it all (thank you!). You do have a fair amount of freedom at Exeter. You can get on your bike and go (within the Exeter vicinity) without asking or telling anyone. The idea is that if you're mature enough to handle boarding school, you're mature enough to have this kind of freedom. Don't abuse it. Always bring an I.D. and a cell phone when you leave campus and try to go with someone else.</p>

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I recently was accepted as a sophmore to Exeter, and I'm not repeating. How hard is it to adjust to the workload as well as the environment?

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<p>Congratulations! It really depends. I'd say most kids seem to adjust relatively quickly. As I've said before, they wouldn't have let you in if there wasn't clear evidence that you can adjust successfully. There are a lot of new lowers (10th graders) every year, so you'll be in good company. Remember to do what smart and successful students do: ask for help when you need it. There is an infinite number of people on campus who are really eager to help (advisers, proctors in your dorm, fellow students, peer tutors, teachers, coaches, Deans...).</p>

102

<p>I want to learn Latin/Greek because I would be able to read some eminent Philosophers books in their native language. </p>

<p>I spoke with one of the Andover alums (haha), and he said that some of the townies are not pleasant with the PA kids. There are even groups on facebook (ones with pretty vulgar names) that depict this "hatred". I am not sure how much I believe this last part, but he said that some drunk students even threw stuff at them. Does this exist in Exeter, to your knowledge? </p>

<p>Does Exeter affiliate (figuratively) with any city? Schools such as Milton w/ Boston and so on. Over weekends, and short breaks, do students usually stay within the campus/permitted area, or do they also go to other places. </p>

<p>Really lame question, but how is the At&t service (I know these "creature comfort" questions such)... </p>

<p>I was lurking the Exeter website... A lot of schools have like "mission statements" and "philosophies" describing how they teach and what they teach. At Exeter (other than the most AMAZING courses) what would you say distinguishes it? Not in overall statistical performance (such as SAT scores) but on the learning aspect. In the academic world what could John Doe get at Exeter... Basically, what is the core of the Exeter teaching model?</p>

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I spoke with one of the Andover alums (haha), and he said that some of the townies are not pleasant with the PA kids. There are even groups on facebook (ones with pretty vulgar names) that depict this "hatred". I am not sure how much I believe this last part, but he said that some drunk students even threw stuff at them. Does this exist in Exeter, to your knowledge?

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<p>I've never heard of any problems.</p>

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Does Exeter affiliate (figuratively) with any city? Schools such as Milton w/ Boston and so on. Over weekends, and short breaks, do students usually stay within the campus/permitted area, or do they also go to other places.

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<p>Boston. Boston is just an hour away. There's a train you can catch in Exeter that will take you right into Boston. That's where people are most likely to go if they get out of town.</p>

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Really lame question, but how is the At&t service (I know these "creature comfort" questions such)...

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<p>As far as I can tell, all cell phone carriers work perfectly fine here.</p>

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I was lurking the Exeter website... A lot of schools have like "mission statements" and "philosophies" describing how they teach and what they teach. At Exeter (other than the most AMAZING courses) what would you say distinguishes it? Not in overall statistical performance (such as SAT scores) but on the learning aspect. In the academic world what could John Doe get at Exeter... Basically, what is the core of the Exeter teaching model?

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<p>I think I've answered this already. Harkness. Here's a page with more about it (it's really more than just a table or a discussion-based approach): </p>

<p>Phillips</a> Exeter Academy | The Amazing Harkness Philosophy</p>

104

<p>I have AT&T and it works splendid. I only don't get reception in certain parts of the gym, which makes sense because it is underground with cement and steel covering, and in the basement of the academy center.</p>

105

<p>When i was at exeter i saw a car just shout at a student "NERDY ******" to an exonian...</p>

106

<p>Hi PAE teacher,</p>

<p>I was wondering what your thoughts are about the revisit impressions someone posted on another thread. Can you speak to some of their comments on this thread?</p>

107

<p>I can’t say that I’ve read them carefully. I really don’t have much to say about them. Impressions are impressions. I do think they are important; the “feel” of a school does matter. At the same time, there’s a lot that you can’t and won’t learn about a school through a one-day visit. So I think it’s important to make decisions on the basis of both objective factors and impressions/perceived feel; I assume that’s what everybody does.</p>

108

<p>I totally agree with what PEAteacher said. Different persons has different perceptions and feelings on different things because we are individuals. My S was admitted both in Exeter and Andover, both are great great schools in the country. However, he is just feeling “right” to Exeter, we received letters from admission office, emails and hand-writing letters from coaches and varsity captains and more a phone call from one of a current parent from Andover telling me that how happy her S was for one hour. No doubt, the visit and interview was very impressive as everyone was so friendly and warm. Yes, I can know what other people are talking about the schools, Exeter is too preppy, competitive, nerdy, so and so YET we are just “FALLING IN LOVE” with Exeter on the first day since my S came to access Exeter last summer, everything in Exeter is amazing to him though we cannot revisit in spring, we believe that he can strive for success in the next three years. Of course we are not depending on impressions or personal feelings, as PEAteacher said, objective factors such as academic program is also very important that decides whether it is suitable for our kid or not. In my point of view, different schools are suitable for different kinds of kids and cannot say that which one is better than the other. As parents, instead of just hearing what other people saying about the schools, you should be the only one who know what your kids are looking for.</p>

109

<p>What do the dorms and showers look like in Exeter? Im applying for this year.</p>

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<p>Yes, the showers are a common concern… Here’s the good news: all the dorms I’ve seen have shower stalls with doors or curtains, so you’ll be able to take a shower while preserving your modesty. Bathrooms vary a good deal depending on the dorm. In smaller dorms (houses), they’re little rooms that you lock, like in your own house. In most dorms, however, they’re bigger, with multiple sinks, toilet stalls, and shower stalls. They’re cleaned daily by your friendly custodian, so they stay reasonably clean.</p>

<p>As for the dorms themselves, Exeter has 29, so the variety is significant: from houses that have fewer than 10 residents to Wentworth, which has over 60. It’s impossible to generalize because of the variety. Rooms are small in some dorms and huge in other dorms (and even within the same dorm there will often be some small and some huge rooms). By and large, I’d say most students have no major complaints and grow to love their dorm.</p>

111

<p>When do kids find out their dorm assignments?</p>

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<p>Usually in mid-August.</p>

113

<p>Based on the information the school has given us, new students should be in the school by September 9, but classes don’t start until the 11th. What do we do for two days? Do we just mingle with other new students and set-up our dorms? (:
Thank you!</p>

114

<p>Let’s see. Last year the day you got there included a meeting with your adviser in the dorm; tryouts for varsity sports; Q&A with Music dept; and ice cream social at the principal’s. Day 2 was meeting on financial aid, orientation on technology and Harkness; more tryouts and auditions; and an all-school cookout. And then Friday you had one more orientation meeting before the opening assembly and classes in the afternoon. Keep in mind that the orientation schedule changes somewhat every year, but, by and large, these first two or three days give you a chance to meet other kids and a few faculty and learn some basics about the school (returning students, i.e., students who aren’t new to Exeter, usually arrive the day after new students arrive).</p>

115

<p>Thank you!
From the website, I did read (more like watch) something about a barbecue on the day the students arrive at the school, which I think, was really good.
How much time do we usually get to set up our rooms?
I’m kind of a neat freak I guess, (It’s very occasional.haha. If that makes any sense) and if I start cleaning, I will just go on and on and on and on and on…</p>

116

<p>Hi PEAteacher:
I will be applying to PEA for grade 11, based on your experience, do new uppers struggle with their classes or the new environment? If so, about how long it the transitional period?</p>

117

<p>Cool screen name, exoveerotch :)</p>

<p>I don’t think the adjustment is particularly harder for uppers. While it’s true that there are fewer new uppers than new preps or lowers, uppers are also older and generally better able to handle the adjustment. Kids are used to new students coming to the school at all four grade levels and they’re generally very welcoming. As long as you make an effort to pick up Harkness and ask your teachers for help when you need it, you’ll likely to be fine.</p>

118

<p>I have a friend who is planning on applying for her lower year. Is it harder to get in? How many students does Exeter usually accept for grades 10 - 12?</p>

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<p>Hey asiankid29, sorry I never answered your question. Actually, I probably didn’t answer it because I never comment on admission or “chances.” But I can say that there are a lot of new lowers every year, so your friend will be in good company.</p>

120

<p>I just want to say that this thread is enormously helpful. Thank you so much, PEAteacher, for takign the time to answer questions!</p>