<p>Hi prospective Exonians,</p>
<p>Last year, as an applicant waiting for March 10th, I found it helpful to get feedback from current students; therefore, I wanted to return the favor by answering any queries for students in a similar situation.</p>
<p>What is your grade now? What are the first three words that best describe your feelings living at Exeter?</p>
<p>Hi Muzfun,</p>
<p>If you’re asking what grade I am in, I am in the ninth grade (prep). If you’re asking about my grade as in marks, I’m not sure. Winter term grades come out in about two weeks.</p>
<p>Three words: Happy, satisfied and a little stressed. All in all, I couldn’t imagine being at another school… especially Andover :P</p>
<p>I know that this is totally random but… What’s the subject of an acceptance email to our parents??</p>
<p>it’s something like “Decision”, completely neutral. nothing like “Congratulations” or “Nice Try”</p>
<p>Okay! Thanks, I was wondering when the climax of my freaking out would be and I think I’ve just found it ;]</p>
<p>What is dorm life like?</p>
<p>Are the dorm rooms nice?</p>
<p>What are humanities courses like at Exeter? What do you think about the Harkness method of teaching math?</p>
<p>It seems like Andover/Exeter is the most competitive and intensive rivarly there is between all the schools. Lol.</p>
<p>Is life in Exeter really stressful? Until what time do you usually work on homework? Is the food good? How quickly do you usually make friends?</p>
<p>do you play sports? do you participate in clubs? what level of freedom do you have? what classes did/are you taking? what is your favorite? what do you do for fun? how strict are the teachers? do you like your dorm?</p>
<p>lots of questions i know, but i’m really nervous…</p>
<p>overandover98 - Here are my thoughts on dorm life. On the plus side, your dormmates have the potential to become as close as your family. Also, dorm life creates a collaborative environment, where you can help or be helped with academics or anything else. Dorms have varying degrees of rule enforcement. In some, you MUST be in your room for the entirety of study hours and must be in your bed by 10:45. In other dorms you don’t have as much regulation.</p>
<p>About dorm rooms, it really depends which dorm you’re in. Some dorms, particularly the older ones, are a little “tired” and in need of renovation. Notwithstanding, some of the older dorm rooms are larger and you can make it as nice as you want. Other dorms, newer, are up to date and very comfortable. Whether at Exeter or any other school, there’s always going to be a varying inventory of “tired” and nice rooms and it’s a bit of a crapshoot.</p>
<p>intrinsically - In my view, humanities courses are really just english classes with predetermined subject matter. The standard for analytic reading, discussion and paper writing requires a degree of substance that were not required at my former school, but the courses are beatable.</p>
<p>Harkness math is the best form of teaching I’ve experienced - it isn’t unusual to have a eureka moment daily. However, you could go weeks without knowing in depth the material in lecture style, or Andover classes. 
You have to do a lot of work to be prepared for classes though, which can be challenging at times.</p>
<p>Hey Yellow - You’re stress level is depended on three drivers:</p>
<ul>
<li>Planning</li>
<li>Procrastination</li>
<li>Delivery</li>
</ul>
<p>If you fail to plan, procrastinate more than you can afford or don’t deliver, life in Exeter is VERY stressful.</p>
<p>I usually work on my homework until 11:30ish. On a good day, when I have lots of free periods or a half day, I can have my homework done as early as I want. With homework, tests, papers and sports, I’ve been up as late as 3am</p>
<p>Food is good most of the time, depending on the menu and your personal preferences. The meals are particularly good when the trustees are on campus for meetings.</p>
<p>Making friends really depends on you. If you take the opportunity to reach out to others and be involved in activities you’ll have way to many friends to support your procrastination; however, if you sit in your room and wait for people to befriend you, you might be lonely.</p>
<p>sabre - i play football, run track and row. Clubs are a work in progress as I had every intention to attend the math club but I only attended a few… I have heard the road to hell is paved in good intentions.</p>
<p>What freedom? Hahahaha most have one or two free blocks a day, and some have Wednesday and Saturday afternoons off because they don’t play sports. As a prep, check-in is at 8:00 on school nights, but later on the weekends.</p>
<p>See below my classes for last term:
- Accelerated math
- English
- Advanced french
- Religion
- Music Lessons
- health (uggh)
- Enriched physics</p>
<p>Physics is an awesome course because, unlike my former school, we have amazing facilities. I’ve had the opportunity to do some pretty cool experiments in my classes, and I enjoy the depth of my understanding fostered by Harkness discussion.</p>
<p>For fun: laxing with the homies.</p>
<p>Strictness levels vary among teachers. I know of one teacher who has made students cry, but others will give you all the room you need to hang yourself. All of them though, are there to help you if you ask for it.</p>
<p>Dorms are cool. Even if you’re dorm isn’t what you hoped for initially, you can make it a perfect fit.</p>
<p>What other schools did you apply to last year? Why did you end up selecting Exeter? How often do you go home for visits? What does your typical weekend schedule look like? How are the Saturday classes going? Do you mind the dress code? Thanks for your perspective!</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<pre><code> Sorry if I butt in, but I’m also a prep at Exeter. Booya is hitting right on the head. As far as classes go there really is a variety in teachers and their styles. However, there is another factor- Exeter is Harkness. A lot of responsibility is on the students, and in some cases, they influence the class more than the teachers do. I’m not saying that the teachers don’t teach or aren’t brilliant. I’ve never had better teachers in my life. Dress code at Exeter is actually pretty casual, compared to schools like Deerfield, but it’s a dress code. Some days you just don’t want to slap on a tie, but it’s a good habit to get into. We’ll have to dress up when we get a job, so I suppose it’s all right to get used to it. In a StuCo meeting a while back, the faculty actually voted againist the dress code, but the students voted to keep it. Thanks, I hope I was able to contribute a little.
</code></pre>
<p>-Dink</p>
<p>lol i think i know who dink is</p>
<p>Thanks. C: Btw, I’d prefer Ubi or Yubi, please. c: But thanks for answering my questions. Exeter seems like a great school. The stress level seems immense, though.</p>
<p>Zenrose - I applied to both Exeter and Andover last year and was waitlisted by both. I was blessed enough though to receive a spot at the Academy shortly after March 10th; hence, Exeter being my only option for school, choosing the Academy was easy. Even if I had had the choice between Exeter and Andover though, I think I would have chosen Big Red anyway. What really made Exeter stick out to me was the use of the Harkness method in all classes as opposed to just some (like at Andover). Class size was another big thing. I enjoy being in an environment with no more than 12 in a class, my average class size is about 10, where everyone has plenty of opportunities to bring their insights to a subject.</p>
<p>I go home every chance I get. Thus far, borders have been able to go home four times:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Winter Thaw
- Spring break (which started a couple days ago)</p>
<p>The weekend schedule is a bit of a drag. On Saturday’s when we have class, about 75% of the time, I have class at 8:25. That’s not fun. The rest is fine though. Classes are done by about 12:30 and than the rest of the weekend is free unless you have club or sports obligations.</p>
<p>The dress code is no big deal because its only obligatory for classes and other required appointments. You get used to it.</p>
<p>Are there times when kids are just able to be kids and have fun, while not having to focus on their studies?</p>