<p>Just wondering, what is English like?
Is it more focused on reading/writing?
Or vocab-based?</p>
<p>I guess it varies by grade, so for reference, I will be entering Exeter as a 9th grader.</p>
<p>@trumpetjean- doubling up on sciences is not the greatest idea, but can be done. Do your research if you want to do two advanced sciences-</p>
<p>ie. Physics prep year
(if you qualify) advanced+ normal chem at the same time (physics + math level required)
Bio upper year for easier courseload
AP Bio, Physics senior year.
@gapoc
dont audit prep fall, but if you want to do it, think about auditing prep year as your grades dont ‘matter’ as much for college. check with department first.</p>
<p>@pielover
its reading/writing. Homework is generally reading, then writing a narrative every few weeks. Discussion-based classes on the reading</p>
<p>@above: I meant after prep year; I don’t even want to do it next year (too much to worry about), but if I feel I have some time, I’d want to do it, to be able to fit double science and stuff like that later. </p>
<p>About English: is there any grammar taught, or is it really only literature analysis/personal essays? Or is grammar taught through writing?</p>
<p>English: No grammar–maybe a little bit of correction in essays, but from what I can tell from looking at my son’s essays, teachers expect you to be able to write without making grammatical errors. As leppy said, discussion based classes on the reading, with some journal writing/short writes on readings. But the major assignments for prep year are strictly personal narratives and descriptions. It’s a unique approach to teaching writing in high school–puts great emphasis on writing concretely, “showing, not telling.”</p>
<p>I would be appreciative of any feedback as to whether it is better to have a PC or Mac at Exeter. Realizing that these days either is fine, I wonder if there’s something Exeter-specific that might tip the scale one way or another. I see that one program used at Exeter – Peanut Software – only runs on PCs. Also, I think Ti-89 Titaniums interface better with PC’s. My son is math inclined/interested. He is comfortable with Macs and PCs. Am I over thinking this? 
Thanks for any insight!</p>
<p>@LAPrep I personally don’t think it matters to whether you choose Mac or PC. I have a Mac and like it just fine. Whatever your son would be comfortable with would be the best choice. Good luck (:</p>
<p>@LAPrep
I think you’re over thinking it-in most classes, teachers will have software for both. If you are getting FA for the computer, then a Dell makes the most sense. However, many/most students have Macs, while the school only has 2 places with Mac computers- everything else is PC.</p>
<p>My son, a rising Senior, has a Mac. His FA grant paid for it. The only difference is, Exeter has a deal with Dell so if you do receive FA, you can order the laptop and the school is billed for it. If you’re purchasing a Mac, you submit the receipt for reimbursement up to the amount of your laptop grant.</p>
<p>A quick question regarding sports tryouts for anyone who may have some experience with this. Is it possible for a student to tryout for 2 sports in the same season to see which which team he may make? If on the outside chance he would make both teams can he choose one? Do they even allow that?
Thanks.</p>
<p>School supplies and books for Exeter 9th grader:</p>
<p>Does Exeter send a partial list of required supplies or do individual teachers wait until the first class to give a supply list? I understand that a book list will be made available before school starts, but does anyone know approximately when to expect this? Are you able to order some books online (perhaps used) and if so, were they more affordable than the Exeter bookstore prices?</p>
<p>For current students or parents…did you arrive at school on move-in day with substantial school supplies and books, or did you wait to purchase these at the Exeter bookstore (or in town?) during first week of school?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! I just can’t believe our daughter departs for Exeter in only eight weeks!</p>
<p>@parkermom,
Exeter doesn’t send out a required supply list. Most teachers just want you to be organized, and whatever works fine for you they will be fine with. Some will ask you to get a binder, notebook, or folder, etc. But most let you do what works for you. Book lists usual aren’t available before you actually arrive on campus. Most I recommend getting there, because those are the editions all the faculty and your classmates are using. If you think your child’s schedule has the potential to change, wait to buy some of her books. Science books are the same for all teachers for an individual course. But English books depend on your teacher. Even if it is the same novel, they might be different editions. </p>
<p>You can buy school supplies out of town, at the Staples in town, or the Exeter bookstore. A warning is the bookstore has a monopoly on school supplies and books, so it is often cheaper to check the book titles and editions at the bookstore and order off of Amazon. An Amazon Prime membership is a great idea to have. You can purchase schol supplies however is most convenient for you and your daughter. </p>
<p>Concerning packing, try to get most room stuff out of town. There really isn’t a place to shop for stuff like that in town. In the surrounding towns, most college kids pick all the good stuff over. Send her with less. She will most likely want to go shopping over Thanksgiving break, so hit up black Friday. Also, don’t buy any furniture for her room until you see how big it is.
Hope that’s helpful. Cheers.</p>
<p>Very helpful, thank you.</p>
<p>@NHMomof3 Yeah I’m pretty sure you can try out for more than one then choose. Lots of classes are switched the first week or so of school so it’s not a problem.</p>
<p>@NHMomof3, it may be difficult to try out for two sports in one term as the tryouts are usually on the same dates at the same times. I have seen students try out for say, basketball and then join the track team if they did not make basketball but trying out for two teams that make cuts may not be possible due to timing. I would email AD Morris and ask him if it’s possible.</p>
<p>I’m not extremely athletic; are there tryouts for the less “mainstream” sports, such as squash? It says in the Exeter catalogue, “most students come to E. thinking that squash is a vegetable,” so I assume the tryouts aren’t particularly intense. I also play tennis and ping pong.</p>
<p>gapoc, Squash can be pretty intense from what I’ve seen on campus. To meet your sports requirement you don’t have to try out for a varsity or JV team, you can also do a club sport. This actually offers a greater range of sports.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m [spaceneedlesevie] and i’m new here! So, Exeter students, if you will:</p>
<p>Do you need laptops? My current school requires laptops for incoming 7th and 8th graders (which I am), and I have the MacBook Pro Retina (Sweet computer, BTW). Would that be sufficient or would I have to use a PC? (I’m just not used to using a PC. There’s nothing wrong with them, but it’s just not my preference.) Also, how much software would need to be installed? I’m into filmmaking and I saw Final Cut Pro would be provided. I wondered if they installed it on your computer? Also, will you need to use these in class daily, and are there charging outlets. I was wondering if 15 inches was too big…</p>
<p>Binders: So in my school, we use binders, but I find them kind of a hassle… also, lockers. I was the only person who didn’t use my locker, lol. So are there lockers there? sorry, this may sound stupid.</p>
<p>Dorms: Okay, I’m confused about the dorms. So there’s this confusing thing about the dorms that I read: It says that dorms house anywhere from 8-40 students (!!!) I’m sorry, is that the dorm building or the dorm rooms? How many people are housed in a dorm room?</p>
<p>TV: So, I don’t watch any TV, really, but I read somewhere that Andover has HDTV’s in each dorm room?? I don’t depend on it, obviously, but just curious. </p>
<p>Okay… so I’ve kind of blanked out. I’ll come back with more questions. I WILL!! (mwahahaha)
Also, thank you SO MUCH!! This had almost ALL the info I needed YOU ARE AWESOME!! :)</p>
<p>Laptops: I would definitely have one. A MacBook is great. Idk if 15’’ is too big, but consider that you might have to carry around your laptop in your backpack for computer science class or studying at the library or something.</p>
<p>Lockers: Nope! Except for music and gym lockers, which you don’t have to have. So you keep all your stuff in your dorm room and switch out your stuff at lunch or during some break. (Ok, there are lockers in the day student lounge for day students, but I don’t know much about that.) Sometimes my backpack got to full with all my morning books, so I stored some of my books in my music locker because that was a lot closer to classes than my dorm.</p>
<p>Dorms: Dorm rooms have a maximum of 2 people, and there are a lot of singles. Except in Hoyt Hall (and maybe another dorm?) there are a couple of rooms that have two doubles that are connected so it’s sort of like a 4-person room.</p>
<p>TV’s: Only in dorm common rooms. I don’t think they’re even allowed in dorm rooms.</p>
<p>Supplies:
Many students like the Exeter Notebooks and 3 ring binders - cute and durable. But bring your own if you prefer. Bring computer, calculator, the things you usually use for school.</p>
<p>Books for first term are best purchased at bookstore, because you will need them immediately. For other terms, my daughter compares amazon prices.</p>
<p>Have stuff like mattress topper, quilt, pillows DELIVERED and waiting for you in your room from Amazon, we set up an account for my daughter and she ordered what she needed with 2 day free shipping. It is too hard to get stuff around Boston in the fall when all the schools converge. Then she used the account to order things she needed throughout the year.</p>
<p>Do not bring halogen lamps, high intensity lamps, irons or any items that can cause fire. Plastic storage shelves and boxes work well.</p>
<p>What is prep “spaz” like?</p>