<p>Hey guys, this article had a ton of interesting info. I'm going to type it onto here, sorry if I make some typos but you guys will want to read it. </p>
<p>In Down Economy, Interest Up
"The economic downturn evidently hasn't dampened interest in the Academy yet, with interviews with prospective students up 45 percent from last year, admissions officials say.
Application for financial aid are up too, with 66 percent of prospective Exonians applying for aid this year, according to Admissions Operations Manger Lisa Jennings.
Officials suggested a deepening recession could affect the school's financial aid program. The board of trustees will discuss the downturn when it meets next week. " We probably will have not enough money to continue to be like we have been for the past three years," Admissions director Michael Gary said. "We might go back to the policy that families we admit, we will fund at the level that they need." Admissions plans to prepare a healthy wiat list of students this year because "when the family has to actually make the commitment and write that check, they might get cold feet," Admissions Officer Lee Young said. Young said the Admissions Office is "surprised that the [interview] numbers are up" in such dour economic times. " You wouldn't ever know that there is an economic crisis because of the volume," Senior Associate Director of Admissions Susan Herney said. "At this time of the year if you come to Bissell House on any day the living rooms would be filled." Campus interviews are up twenty-three percent and off-campus interviews are up 149 percent. Admissions received twenty-two late applications so far, up from last year's nine. "In past tough economic times, families whose children attend boarding school tend to have a delay in the impact of the recession they are well-off and will not be losing their job tomorrow," Gary said. "If they did lose a job, they would most likely have savings. It is my sense that it will be somewhat delayed." Despite the recession, Admissions is continuing the mission to admit youth "from every quarter." The office has hired two new officers, whose main goal is to travel throughout the United States, looking to attract student, especially from working-class families. "We had to tackle stereotypes regarding boarding schools," Young said. "The kids may get excited, but then you have to convince the parents that boarding school is acceptable. These officers visit schools and hold reception in order to educate parents on Exeter." In fulfilling he "youth from ever quarter" statement, the Admissions Office has developed a list of goals that they hope to accomplish within the next five years. they are aiming to educate and spark the interest of students from the mid-west as well as from abroad. So far, there are 187 students applying from middle America, 11 prospective students from Eastern Europe, eight students from the Middle East, and nine students from South America. All admissions officers, with the exception of Young and Herney, traveled 30 to 50 days of fall term In addition to visiting many Asian countries, Gary expanded his scope to include Israel, Croatia, Mexico, and Brazil. Herney said, " We keep trying to increase the diversity whether geographic, racial, or religious Every year we get better in each of those categories." ONe thing that hasn't changed is the quality of the students applying to the academy, the officers said. "I interviewed two kids on Friday and they blew me away," Young said. "The quality is still really good. I believe it will still remain really competitive [to be accepted]." Young said the Academy's financial situation is better than its peer schools. "Our financial aid fund is very healthy, probably healthier than any other school," Young said.""</p>
<p>Alright guys, I just finished sight-typing that whole thing, sorry if i mistyped anything that took my a long while, but i thought it would be very important to you guys applying to exeter. Thoughts? Comments?</p>
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