<p>@ArtsandSports</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the rules of posting links, so I’m going to avoid copying and pasting the URL here. Try typing /pea2016 after the usual URL for Facebook (if that makes sense :/)</p>
<p>I’m a current Exeter student and if you guys have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. </p>
<p>@ArtsandSports, </p>
<p>An Arts/Music couse is by all means an academic course. There is no such thing as preps (freshmen) taking a four course load. Although an Art/Music/Theater course might not require as much collected homework assignments or readings, the time spent working on an art project to make it quality can add up quickly. Greek and Rome are respectable courses, but just keep in mind, he will later have to take a non-traditional history course at some point later on in his Exeter carrier. </p>
<p>@trumpetjean
The amount of history courses a prep takes depends on their personal preference. Some take none, others take history all year, but most people take history one term. You will need three history courses plus 3 US History courses to graduate. Often, people take one history course prep, lower, and senior year, and do US History Upper (Junior) year. </p>
<p>Preps take either Bio or Physics as a science, and to get enough science credits, all four year students must take one year of biological science (Bio) and one year of physical science (either Chemistry or Physics). Many kids who take Biology prep year are bio-oriented and would rather take bio electives such as Marine Biology, Evolution, and AP Bio than take both Physics and Chemistry. Physics is also a respectable course, and often kids who take this are math focused, but not all of them. One thing to know, however, for those who don’t take Bio prep year, the other introductory bio course for lowers, uppers, and seniors dissects pigs over the time of eight weeks, while prep bio dissects frogs for one day.</p>
<p>@tumpetjean
preps can take anywhere from no history to a history class each term. The advantages of prep history classes are that they are intro (100) course level, and help develop writing and research skills that will be used later in US history (usually 11th grade). There is a large group of history courses for preps to choose from. However, a total of 6 history classes are required, and they can all be taken later as higher level courses (200, 300, 400 level). One has to be a non-Western history.</p>
<p>Preps frequently take art. Lots of choices there. Religion is also an elective that will meet graduation requirements. </p>
<p>@artsand sports. I replied to your PM. Ancient Greece and Rome were REALLY good courses, my daughter liked them a lot.</p>
<p>I’ll just jump in to second 2prepmom; those 100-level history courses are a good way to prepare for the very rigorous work required in upper level history classes. Whether you take one or two doesn’t matter as much–basically, I’d say save your higher level electives for the subjects you’re most interested in. The exception is probably physics/biology decision. If I had to generalize I’d say that if you have a math/science orientation, take physics first and if you’re more humanities oriented, take bio first. Another option from the one pittsburger suggested is bio-physics-chemistry. My kid’s not particularly science oriented, but that three course combo. seems pretty basic to me.</p>
<p>@classicalmama</p>
<p>I’m still feeling slightly contradicted about what science course to take.
I love math, but I don’t have a particular interest in science. Although in a previous post, I said I was probably going to take physics first, I’m thinking of taking bio for my prep year instead.
Since science is one of my weaker subjects, I should get biology over with at the 100-level, instead of trying to tackle it later at the 200-level.
I always thought of taking the courses I’m not too good at at first, at an easier level, and then take on the courses I will enjoy/do well at later on, at the 200/300 course levels.</p>
<p>PieLover: It’s tricky, because taking physics prep year makes it possible to take a more advanced level of physics, which might interest you. But you’re right that the 200-level bio is a harder class. My kid wavered exactly as you have (though he’s not a math guy), but ultimately decided on bio first. Even the 100-level bio class was a real challenge; he’s definitely enjoying physics more–BUT I think a year of Exeter math under his belt helps to make it enjoyable. </p>
<p>One way to help think things through is to map out the sequence of science courses that would be available to you if you took physics first, and then if you took bio first. That might help you work out which would be best. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that ALL classes at Exeter are challenging, rigorous, “upper level” classes in the traditional sense, so you can’t really go wrong.</p>
<p>I have a question unrelated to course selection. I was wondering what documentation if any does Exeter require at the conclusion of this school year? Do they want official transcripts and comments sent from the students current school? Does anyone know the answer to that?
@artsand sports
Congratulations!!</p>
<p>@NMMomof3</p>
<p>I think we just had to send the final transcript.</p>
<p>What is the typical 4 year science track for students pursuing advanced biology and chemistry and bio electives? Can you tell what 9th grade science should be taken for someone pursuing the medical field? Thanks!</p>
<p>@2prepmom</p>
<p>Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with History choices and prep course load. Very helpful to us. My son is so excited to be attending and looking forward to all that you’ve shared. Big thanks!</p>
<p>trumpet jean: I can’t find my kid’s course catalog to verify this, but here’s what I remember: you could go bio-physics-accelerated chem (AP prep)–advanced bio electives (some I think prepare for the AP test) or physics, 200-level bio (prepares for the SAT subject level test)–accelerated chem(AP)–advanced bio. (AP) So both ways will get you to advanced classes. The physics first route is a bit more intensive, which is why, in my opinion, it’s better for kids who really love math and science. But both are good, solid choices–it’s not like one will get you into an Ivy and the other won’t. Exeter’s all about choosing between good options–think about where you want to put your greatest effort and most time, and go from there.</p>
<p>Yes, thanks to all of the Exeter veterans who are contributing to this useful thread and to the new students/parents posting good questions. All of this info has helped my daughter a great deal as she decides on her first courses at Exeter. She’s so excited to be a new Exonian, class of 2016!!!</p>
<p>@trumpetjean
Someone planning on applying for a pre-med college program would probably want 4 years of science (Exeter requires only 2, 1 of bio and one of a physical science), including biology, chemistry and physics. </p>
<p>The science choices are very diverse (32 classes), so there are a lot of ways to do this. </p>
<p>The kids who take 200 level physics first as preps are generally math and science oriented. They may be bumped into the 208/209 sequence which specifically feeds into 400 level advanced physics (as soon as they have finished some calculus). Things fall in to place for these “accelerated” track math/science kids, of whom there are a handful.</p>
<p>A challenging, solid science track is bio100s, then physics 200s or chem 200s in 10th grade, then either the physics or chem they did not take first during 11th grade, then maybe one “AP” science, or maybe one science elective of interest if they choose a fourth year of science. The robotics and astronomy electives are supposed to be great. Biochemistry might be good for getting ready for pre-med.</p>
<p>A word on APs. Exeter (which may have invented AP way back) does not officially teach to AP standards, because the AP program now has a very rigid, specific fixed curriculum which Exeter classes almost always surpass. So classes may “prepare for AP”. Colleges seem to understand this. The college counseling office has a blurb about it for parents too.</p>
<p>Hi, thanks for answering my previous question.</p>
<p>and I have one last one: I play trumpet, so do you recommend me going to Symphony Orchestra or Jazz Band?? Thanks!!!</p>
<p>There’s concert band too. Depends on what kind of music you like to play. Jazz band is smaller and may be a little harder to get into–I’m not sure.</p>
<p>My son is debating on an initial Computer Science class. He’s a strong math student but hasn’t done any programming. If anyone has thoughts regarding CSC 211 (Dynamic Web) vs. CS315 (Software Creation), I would be appreciative.</p>
<p>Are we only allowed 3 electives/year? (I’m a new prep choosing my courses.)</p>
<p>Three electives and, if you like two 1/3 electives in music (lesson and ensemble). Upper year, the elective slot is filled with American history. So keep an eye on the required electives–you’ll probably want to get as many of those completed the first two years as possible, so that you have more freedom of choice senior year.</p>
<p>LAPrep: I don’t know much as my kid hasn’t completed that requirement yet. I know that the Web class is new this year, and I think one of the two “softer” CSC classes. I think software creation has a rep. for being very challenging, but a good choice if that’s an interest. The more generalist kids tend to stick with the 200-level intro classes.</p>
<p>My son is starting at Exeter this Fall. He doesn’t like to wear ties/ dress shirts. Do many boys wear turtlenecks all time, or would he seem odd? Also, do mock turtlenecks count as part of the dress code?</p>