@ProudDramaMama The students often have to make difficult decisions, and get life lessons in prioritizing, and the reality of finite resources (especially time and energy). I just sat down with my son to go over his plans for the fall - he has what I think is way too much on his plate, and it will require an incredible amount of discipline and time management to make it work. He made the tough decision last year to pick sports over acting, as they conflict. He is in a specific music ensemble because his other option conflicted with the club in which he’s most involved. Last spring, he admitted that he decided to prioritize sleep, as he was dealing with a flare of a chronic condition, and a girlfriend (because…teen) and his grades suffered. The old joke about being able to only do two of the three most important areas (sleep, study or socialize) isn’t far from the truth, although a lot of it comes down to the individual’s ability to manage their time. I think the most important thing is to acknowledge and help your student recognize that no one on campus is doing it all, despite what it may seem like sometimes, and that giving yourself a break - not expecting perfection in every arena - is a healthy choice.
Thank you for this. My daughter does theater and dance, and loves both in equal measure. I’m realizing now that she may have conflicts similar to your son’s. Even the auditions for the fall plays and dance are at the same time. She’ll be disappointed. Her real love is musicals, for which theater and dance go hand in hand. But now I’m thinking she’ll have to make a choice she wasn’t expecting to have to make!
to be fair, there’s a dance production (which comes with music) and two fall plays this term. In the spring, there’s supposed to be a musical or two, I think. Part of the whole scheduling thing is not every activity/class is available per term. Perhaps it would suit her better, when she comes, to do the prep gym class during the fall, and later on audition for the spring musical.
As a current Prep at Exeter, I think I’ll be reviving this thread in time for the pre app due date question influx. As Christmas break starts in 3 days, I will be able to start answering all the questions I know I had entering the final stretch of the admissions process.
Merry Question Asking!
*NOTE I am not the admissions office, so I will not be doing any chancing.
Hi! I’m an 8th grader applying for 9th grade at Exeter. Exeter seems like such an amazing school, especially with all of their computer science courses and Harkness! I go to a Montessori/Waldorf/etc-type school, and I really want to be in classes that are collaborative.
One thing I am concerned about is that I have heard about some students of color not feeling safe/welcome at Exeter. I was confused when I saw this, because Exeter didn’t strike me as… THAT kind of school. Can any current Exeter students/alumni/parents give their opinions? Thanks!
Do I have to take a foreign language at exeter if I take one over the summer? I go to the french Concordia Language Village for high school credit, will that open up my schedule to more courses? Also would I have to take math all four years, even though I’d be starting as a prep in multivariable calculus?
Not if you place high enough. It’s dependent on the placement test, not past courses.
You mean to say “I’d be starting as a prep” if accepted. And the answer is, again, no.
That said, many selective colleges will expect coursework that goes beyond graduation requirements. But really, don’t worry about this until such time as you are accepted.
Sorry for the super late reply, @ursulaisnotevil . Prep year has been going by so fast, and I’ve lost track of time.
While there have been incidents before, the school is quick to recognize and address the issues. They do this through activities, workshops, and assemblies. Also, due to how much the student voice is valued, I think that there is very little to worry about.
Many schools have incidents, it’s how they deal with them that’s important. Remember that the student body changes every year so no matter what kind of school it is there may be kids who behave improperly and need guidance. The big boarding schools pull a lot of different people together and that means conflicts WILL arise.
Congratulations to all of the newly admitted Exonian’s. According to the results thread, it looks like quite a few of you! As a long time parent of multiple Exonian’s, I wanted to take a chance to welcome you and offer a dedicated space to ask questions.
Hoping other folks that have experience with PEA can contribute to the conversation as well. Feel free to PM me if you prefer. I know that without being able to revisit many of you might want some insight from people that have under knowledge is the school.
Congratulations again!
Hi @vegas1
I was accepted into Exeter a few days ago as an upcoming junior, and I was wondering if you had any general tips? I’m pretty nervous because going into a new school is pretty hard (with friends and new environments and stuff), and according to my friends junior year is also the most stressful year. Anything would help 
I was also wondering for dorm selection if being in a double would help with meeting new people? I’d prefer a single but I also really want to make new friends and get to know others, and I’m worried it’ll be harder to do that as a new junior.
Thanks!
@emmaliu first of all you will do great. PEA is a welcoming place and it is not at all uncommon for kids to start junior year. Being nervous is totally normal though. General advice is to make as many connections when you arrive on campus as possible. Join the clubs, go to professors office hours, get to know your proctors and student listeners in your dorm. It seems counterintuitive to spend precious hours focusing on things outside of academics- but it is totally worthwhile. Making connections is one of the best things BS offers. It is much easier to slog through the challenges when surrounded by a strong support network.
As far as the age old roommate question, in our experience if you prefer a single- go for the single. I know very few kids who have really loved having a roommate. You will make plenty of friends through your classes, clubs and dorm life, I wouldn’t worry about that. Hopefully there is an online group you can join prior to arriving on campus where you can make a few connections. If not, don’t worry, you won’t be the only new person trying to find your people. PEA has welcomed many kids over the years with similar concerns and it has done a pretty good job of filling it’s classes with smart, passionate people- which is probably why you were chosen as well!
Sorry if this a personal question, but I’m in a bit of a tight spot right now…
I did in fact (still in shock!) get accepted, but with not nearly enough FA.
For those of you who were fortunate enough to get the right amount for your family, how did the grant change over the years?
And are there any who were granted too little when accepted but managed to bump it up? Did this increase stay constant throughout the years or fluctuate?
@petrichor11 we were very lucky to have gotten FA for all 4 kids over the 10 years our kids attended. First of all, you can always ask the school to take another look at your financial aid award. Especially if you have competing FA offers from other schools or compelling information that your families financial situation has changed.
In regards, to how our families FA changed over the years, I can say when we first applied in 2009 it was a pretty bleak financial period and our family was definitely impacted. So we needed a lot of financial aid. Over the years, our family’s income rebounded and our FA fluctuated a bit. But overall, even when our incomes more then doubled, the FA we received was more than generous.
Thanks @vegas1 for offering help! As @petrichor11 said, getting into Exeter is surreal experience for kids and us parents as well.
I am starting to work on finding a new private violin teacher for my son to continue his music lessons. Do you know how Exeter assist that? Do the students take private lesson with Exeter teachers, or we need to find one off-campus? Any leads are greatly appreciated!
@TexasTeddyBear your son can sign up for private music lessons when he registers for classes. Each term he will receive 1/3 of a credit for his participation. There is usually a separate fee for these lessons and PEA has many approved instructors. I am sure you could ask for the list beforehand and make contact to choose which would be best for your son. Usually lessons happen on campus during the school day. If your family receives FA, Exeter will subsidize the lessons at the same level you receive of FA as they want all students to be able to participate regardless of finances.
@vegas1 Thank you for the concise and clear reply.
@highschoolgall how is andover’s music program better?
@vegas1 Just saw the updated parent BS resource thread,
and noticed your name under Exeter AND Swimming! Since I’m a swimmer too, I was wondering about the program.
For example: what have you heard about the practice times (schedule, are there doubles, etc.) and how does it interfere with hw? Did your kids enjoy the swim program? How hard is it to get into varsity?
Thanks in advance!
@vegas1 thank you for your info!