<p>Hey,
I know everyone probably gets this alot but which one is better? I am more interested in humanities so does that mean I'm more fit for Andover? They both seem amazing but who has had better expiriences where? Dorm life? Cliques? The overall feel? Athletics? Academics? How about they're summer sessions? Thanks for everything!</p>
<p>You ask this question like you’ve already been accepted. Both schools are all around excellent.</p>
<p>I would guess that most people, if they apply to 1, also apply to the other. Don’t underestimate how tough it is to get admitted to either.</p>
<p>Ok thank you. i will try my best to be accepted</p>
<p>It really depends on your learning style. I plan on only applying to Exeter out of the two of them because of the Harkness method (only 12 students and they sit around a table,) but Andover has it’s benefits too. From what I’ve heard, it’s generally a more relaxed environment. Exeter is probably for you if you’re entirely about rigid academics, vs Andover if you’re into music and sports and socializing. That said, they both have amazing academics programs.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree with iriszilla’s point. I don’t think it’s that simple. Neither can be said to have better academics as they have just about the exact same average SAT score. As for the sports argument, I don’t see any validity in that as Andover recently lost A/E’s football game. I think the differences are much more subtle, and it’s really a personal choice. No one can tell you which is better. It’s the intangible factors that make the difference.</p>
<p>Kik - there is SO MUCH (too much) written about the pros and cons of Andover and Exeter and they line up for different kinds of students. Take some time to do research on this site before asking generic questions. All the answers are there (in triplicate) and you’ll get up to speed quickly.</p>
<p>Remember that getting into both Andover and Exeter is very uncommon. Apply to other equal level schools (Hotchkiss, SPS, Deerfield, L’ville).
Let’s get back to topic. Andover generally has “nicer” kids. Exeter does have a strong math program. As for the cliques, it is nearly impossible to not have them. If strong Humanities courses drew you to the idea of boarding school, I would recommend you to consider Hotchkiss.</p>
<p>Just to clear up iriszilla’s point, both schools have the harkness method. Andover only uses it in its humanities classes, whereas since it originated at exeter and was a condition for the original grant, its used in all classes, including math/science. Whether or not this is beneficial is a point of debate among people, but I love it.</p>
<p>I visited Exeter and I saw almost no socializing between students. I don’t know if this is always the case since I was there only one day, but if you are a very social person, maybe you should think twice about applying to Exeter.</p>
<p>Like bigred14 said, many prep schools use the Harkness method, but I believe Exeter is the only one who uses it in all classes. </p>
<p>Although being top schools they are both very well-rounded, I would say Exeter leans more towards being a math/science school. I have a friend who goes there and loves it (she’s amazing at math). Not that Andover isn’t by any means, but when I visited (although it was summer) the tour guide and interviewer made the school seem like having a very academically intense atmosphere.</p>
<p>When I visited, I personally found Andover a more suitable school for me (not that it mattered, I didn’t get accepted to either :p). I had a fairly bad experience at Exeter, so in contrast (and against most standards) my visit to Andover was enjoyable, informative, and encouraging.</p>
<p>If you like both schools though, why not apply to both? They are both ridiculously hard to get into, so to put it bluntly, there is a fair chance you will never have to make the decision of which one to choose over the other.</p>
<p>I think the rivalry between these two schools stems not from their differences, but from the fact that they are so similar. From my experience, I have found that Andover students seem very helpful and cheerful. My friend (who got into Exeter) stated that the Exeter students seem intense and studious. You might as well apply to both, and see what happens.</p>
<p>A friend of mine sent his kids to Andover, Exeter and Hotchkiss and is fairly experienced with the culture of each school. He mentioned that it is not a matter of better or worse but of more or less fit with a student. They are both great and well-rounded. Probably the small difference is Exeter is more pushy toward academics. (It doesn’t mean that Andover is less academic at all. It is just the school atmosphere, I guess)</p>
<p>He added that if the student has more participating learning attitude, Exeter could be a better fit.</p>
<p>Often people say exeter is a STEM school, but after going there for three years, I honestly don’t feel that it leans either way. Exeter has an extremely strong classics department (with tons of money to boot) and I’ve always felt that, leaning more towards STEM myself, that I’m one of the only true STEM students at exeter. Everyone is extremely rounded. I choose to bog myself down with science electives, but its all up to you.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m just trying out for Andover but i’m from a boarding school in England the grading system is very different there. My Average of 85 percent in my recent examinations is converted to a low a star in America. Do you think the administrations office will know this if just send in my report?</p>
<p>also just random question but do americans find british accents weird?</p>
<p>Academics aside, Andover puts a Big emphasis on “NICE”. They really seek out smart talented NICE kids and I think it is obvious when you walk around the Andover campus. I have never been to Exeter and the “Harkness” works for certain subjects but Math Science and Art don’t lend themselves to “Harkness”. All of these schools have small classes which lend themselves to discussion so Exeter doesn’t have a patent on teaching styles. As far as I am concerned, they spend too much time talking about “Harkness”. Exeter was started after Andover and they have been trying to play catch up ever since. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. My son only applied to Andover and that is where he is going so we are a Big Blue family now!</p>
<p>Carrow, Americans generally find British accents adorable.</p>
<p>Firstgenbs, are you serious? Stating that Exeter tries to imitate Andover and that it is somehow inferior to Andover is not only incredibly naive, it’s also not very “NICE.” Perhaps once your son starts and you gain some direct experience with the two school you will see that while the two are certainly different, Exeter is not trying to play “catch up” to anyone.</p>
<p>Neatoburrito, lighten up. I find so much of what is written on these boards to be humorous regardless of whether that was the authors intention. The comments were made in jest and obviously it got under your skin. I do think that Exeter spends too much time talking about “Harkness” as if they invented the round table discussion and there is no classroom discussion going on in any other prep school. That is naive!!</p>
<p>Sorry, didn’t realize you were kidding. It’s hard to tell sometimes.</p>
<p>You should really visit before applying to either one! By doing so, you will gain a better understanding of what each of them is actually like. The pictures and statistics in the brochures are designed to lure you in - they are not at all a depiction of reality. Take a look at each schools course catalog, too.</p>
<p>*each school’s
Sorry for the typo.</p>