<p>Yes he is a new 9th grader. We have not gotten any of the materials yet. They promised a fed ex package that should be here today or Monday. It’s hard to believe until I see it on paper. I understand that courses need to be chosen soon. Wow! Congratulations to your daughter!!!</p>
<p>Welcome new Exonians!</p>
<p>My daughter was a new prep last year. Just a few suggestions based on experience, and I am happy to answer questions about our experience with course selections and packing. </p>
<p>1) Most girls wear jeans. Do not take the “dress code” statement of skirts, dresses and nice slacks" literally, we had a lot of dressy clothes get sent back home.</p>
<p>2) LL Bean (or similar) fleece lined rubber mocassins and 6 inch “duck” boots are great in slush. Lots of slush and snow.</p>
<p>3) A warm waterproof parka shell with a zip out thermal (goose down or such) liner that can be worn as a light jacket, will cover the winter, spring and fall pretty well. North Face has some, there are many other brands.</p>
<p>4) A good sturdy backpack for books. We ended up liking North face for that too.</p>
<p>After finishing the course questionnaire, I got an email back to take a placement test for my language. Haven’t heard from the math dept. yet though. Anyone else got their tests yet?</p>
<p>What course in math are you trying to take? I’m going to be a prep and did not want to have to take a placement test so i’m going to be in transition 21 something…</p>
<p>The math department will recommend a math level based on your PSAT score. There’s an optional math placement test, mostly intended for students who don’t think that that placement is right for them.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2prepmom. That is helpful info. about the clothes, I was wondering about that. Any info or advice you’d like to give regarding choosing courses, registration, etc. would be appreciated too!</p>
<p>Re: classes
Daughter mailed back her questionnaire but we haven’t heard anything back yet. Based on the math class descriptions she feels like MAT23x (I think that’s what it was called) is right for her. But we’ll see what school thinks. I’m guessing she’ll have to take a Latin placement exam, but not sure. She’s had two full years of Latin, but I know that Exeter Latin is pretty hard core…so she might go back into Latin 2 again. </p>
<p>As far as science class goes, it appears you may start with either Physics or Biology. She chose Physics. We can’t really figure out how History works…do you register for one as an elective? We’re planning on calling with all of our questions early next week if we can’t figure them out on our own.</p>
<p>I was surprised that registration begins in April. Although D was excited! That seems early, but I’m also extremely impressed by the organization of the school. The academic dean’s office has been totally on top of it, and have provided TONS of information and communication.</p>
<p>What about Mr. Feng’s MAT31X class? Is it extremely selective/hard to get into? Has anyone here been in it and can say anything about it?</p>
<p>Also, I’m slightly worried about my French placement. I took my test (for 210 and Below); 210 seems a bit easy, but 310 seems really hard. Are courses like 220 and 230 offered in the fall term as well? </p>
<p>Great thread, btw. Thanks.</p>
<p>DRESS CODE:</p>
<p>This tends to be a confusing topic, so I’ll just clarify here. Girls tend to wear practically anything. There are some requirements like no text on clothing but for the most part it’s safe. Usually school clothing that has words like “EXETER” on it is okay.</p>
<p>For boys, mostly people tend to either dress casually or very formally. We have people who wear plaid dress shirts with shorts (stereotypical “preppy” look) and then there are those like me who tend to wear dress shirts with slacks. There are also a few people usually who go above and beyond.</p>
<p>Don’t wear a polo and a tie. It’s a bit tacky, although technically within the rules.</p>
<p>@parkermom:</p>
<p>Exeter’s mathematics placements are very good. I would recommend you take a placement test regardless; they are very good at determining your level. If a level doesn’t fit you, you’ll be moved up or down pending your math teacher’s recommendation.</p>
<p>History courses are all electives at Exeter. Because beyond your lower or upper year the distinction between “normal” and “elective” courses loses its meaning, don’t fret about it! You are required to take a US History sequence your upper year. The other three history credits are of your own choice.</p>
<p>@gapoc459: </p>
<p>Mr. Feng’s MAT31X is for the elite group of preps on campus - basically, in my opinion, the people who came to Exeter for mathematics. By the end of the three-term sequence you’d be poised to take Calculus as a 10th grader. </p>
<p>Courses like 220 and 230 are not offered in the fall. You can try to take 310 and drop down to 210/220 if you can’t handle the workload (this is common).</p>
<p>I would say for most people not to fret about math placement. Exeter is very good at moving people around where they begin. For example, out of 23X, there are four different “standard” pathways to go.</p>
<p>Ahh, ok. Very helpful, thank you. And as I understand it, since the mathematics courses are scheduled within the same time block…a student can be moved up or down if needed, without it affecting their entire schedule. Is this correct?</p>
<p>The only thing I’d add to technicalities good post is to go with the math recommendation, even if it seems low to you. Exeter math is very different and takes some getting used to. It’s hard for preps to struggle with math their first year because they’re placed in a course that’s on the hard side. And very frustrating if, after struggling in a transition class, they end up getting placed back into the class they would have taken winter term if they had followed the normal sequence. While I don’t think it’s always possible to predict (my kid ended up catching up and taking off in the final few weeks of class), I think it’s always safe to go with the more conservative class placement. There are always opportunities to move into more advanced levels later. </p>
<p>The same is true for Latin. My kid took a year of Latin in eighth grade, but ended up starting from the beginning. This ended up being a good choice; he has enjoyed Latin, but it is definitely one of the more challenging foreign languages at Exeter!</p>
<p>As far as electives go, I’d mostly just advise your child to start ticking off his/her required electives prep year. The electives get a lot more interesting as time goes on, and she’ll want to be freer to choose the stuff she really wants her senior year. So, for example, a term of history, a term of fine arts, and a term of comp. sci or religion are all good prep year choices that will fill those core requirements. Taking one of each rather than, say, two history electives, allows for more flexibility other years.</p>
<p>If I sign up for the beginning latin course but study over the summer, am I able to change the course?
and how difficult is english? how hard do the teachers grade the essays?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<h2>I chose MAT13T, since I’ve done a year of algebra, but have no experience in geometry. My SSAT scores and grades matched those of the course description, but I’m scared the pace will be too quick for me. I was kind of hoping for a math placement test. :p</h2>
<p>Ah, what classicalmama said makes sense. I am thinking of taking a history, arts, and computer science elective for my 9th grade year. I didn’t want to take a religion course during my first year at Exeter because I have no exposure whatsoever to religion.
How are the religion courses? Will they be difficult for people like me, who have no prior knowledge to the subject?</p>
<p>Yes, she will definitely enroll in whichever math class the school recommends. Does everyone get to take a placement exam? It seemed that they recommend these on a case by case basis. Hopefully, she will get to take one. I’m sure the school will answer all of these questions, but it’s also nice to hear from students and parents who have already gone through prep year…</p>
<p>As far as math goes, D has already been doing Transition math in middle school (Hockaday school), so she is doing algebra and geometry this year in 8th. SSAT math percentile 93%. She is not a math genius, but is very strong in math and really enjoys it. It’s one of her favorite subjects. I’m just glad that Exeter is willing to move kids around if a math class turns out to be way too difficult or too easy. </p>
<p>Thanks for advice regarding electives. very helpful.</p>
<p>Transition math at Exeter is just the name for a bridge class between two terms. It’s a good class for kids (like my son) who could benefit from a quick review of concepts learned but perhaps not solidified the year before. The bottom line is that there are many different levels of math, and the math placement is generally good, but not perfect, so movement up and down, either at the beginning or the end of the term, is common, especially prep year. First term math and Latin were both almost entirely review for my kid, but it moved so quickly and the approach was so different that standing on familiar ground was helpful. And things advance very quickly–especially in transition classes that cover two terms in one–so after first term, he was learning lots of new material despite having taken the “same” classes in eighth grade. </p>
<p>PieLover: No worries about the religion courses–no prior experience necessary, and there are lots of choices. It makes sense to wait a bit though and talk to other kids about which classes they particularly liked and what kind of work is required in each, as I gather it varies quite a bit. My son really enjoyed his religion class; that’s one of the core requirements he wants to complete senior year when the course selection gets really interesting. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that it’s possible to change your winter and spring electives during add drop–though sometimes the more popular classes will be full. </p>
<p>Trumpetjean: Exeter English focuses entirely on teaching the narrative prep year and most of lower year, with an emphasis on “show, don’t tell” writing. The English teachers are definitely tough graders, but all five of my kid’s teachers so far have been willing to conference and allow revision. As an English teacher myself, I’ve really appreciated the way his writing has developed and sharpened over the past two years.</p>
<p>It helped us to take a careful look at the graduation requirements (on-line or in the course book. The following summarizes our personal experience with prep courses:</p>
<p>If you want 4 years of math, science and language, for example, there are few other elective choices open apart from the required art (3 terms), history (2 years), religion (one term of philosophy, ethics, etc) and computer science (one required). </p>
<p>Math placement: This is also flexible once you arrive. There is a lot of math level switching. 31X demands a great deal of time, which many non-internationally competitive math students would prefer not to undertake first term, but it is a really great class and Mr. Feng was wonderful. 23X is the next level down, and many students with 2 years of algebra and one year of geometry go there. The placement tests help on where you start. The math Dept. is really good at making sure you get the class you belong in, but also are more than happy to help you change levels if you want.</p>
<p>Latin seems to prefer almost all students with less than 3 prior years of Latin to start in the intro class. The intro class, and in geneneral Latin at Exeter, is very difficult. There is a placement test. </p>
<p>Science - most preps take prep biology. It is challenging. You can also take intro physics. Take a look at your 4 year class plan and requirements to see how other sciences will fit in (one year of bioly and one year of physical science is required) if you want to take 4 years of science, many courses are dependent on math placement. </p>
<p>I agree with classicalmama it is a good idea to get some history requirements out of the way in prep year. (2 years are required, one year of which is US history). There are many courses to choose from, (one in the non-Western tradition is required, and there are at least 3 of those to choose from as a prep).</p>
<p>Other prep electives that cover requirements for graduation are art (3 terms required, 2 of which must be performance based), religion (maybe wait and take that later as a junior or senior?) and computer science. Rumor has it that computer science is not particularly recommended for preps, especially first term. Tough class.</p>
<p><strong><em>Music is flexible because music lessons can be taken for 1/3 credit a term and do not use up a schedule slot on the main schedule</em></strong> this comes in handy when you realize how few open electives you may end up with. I am not sure about dance. </p>
<p>Only 5 courses per term are allowed, and it is easy to fill them. Health adds 1/3 credit per term prep year.</p>
<p>This is all extremely helpful! We are still awaiting the arrival of our '12-'13 course catalog, so flying a bit blind right now. We’ve been looking through the current catalog as a reference.</p>
<p>When I said that my D was currently in Transition math I meant to say ‘Integrated’ math…sorry for that confusion. So, she is currently on her second year of Integrated algebra/geometry at her school. I think it is called Integrated math 2, but could be mistaken. If she stayed there for high school she would’ve gone on to IM3 as I understand it. I wonder if this somewhat corresponds to Exeter’s MA23x, or not? Her school also has several math levels, so it can get confusing. She has done competitive math team, but probably won’t continue that at Exeter because she doesn’t think she is up to the level of the Exeter team and she says she wants to get involved in some new things. Specifically, theater tech crew and debate.</p>
<p>I don’t really care which math level she ends up in- just want her to be happy! But she has complained this year of being bored in math and is really hoping for more challenge. Of course, I’m thinking life would be easier if her math were more of a review next year, but she doesn’t seem to think so…and she’s not exactly begging me for my opinion. 
I hope that she gets to take a placement test and the school decides for her!</p>
<p>She (and we) can’t wait to get the catalog so we can start to figure this out. Seems very confusing at the moment but I’m sure it will all make sense soon. Thanks for everyone’s input and advice. It is extremely helpful.</p>
<p>@parkermom</p>
<p>I don’t know if you are aware, but Exeter has its entire course catalog on their website. You can look there while you are waiting for the hard copy.</p>
<p>Ahh, you’re right it sure is. Just found it, thanks.</p>
<p>Yes! I got off of the wait list. I am a day student who applied as an incoming freshman for the class of 2016. Honestly, I thought I had no chance of getting off of the wait list with 39 available day student spots, especially this soon. There is a chance! Remember that some kids don’t get off until July or August. Good luck!</p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>