<p>I am a new lower at Phillips Exeter Academy! I remember when I was applying, I had a lot of questions about the life and people, and coming in as a new lower. I'm happy to answer any questions, just please don't make this a chances thread. Life here is actually a lot different than I expected. Any questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>I think a lot of people get so caught up with the fact that they’re applying to prep school that they lose sight of the fact that boarding school is still school. It’s not some sort of utopia, kids are kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love Exeter and I would never leave, but it’s a lot tougher mentally than I imagined. When you work to the point of exhaustion, people change, and maturity is an aspect that is surprising here. There’s a lot of great people who you’d expect to be here, but remember, admissions wants to build a school, and there’s always those immature students who turn out to not take Exeter seriously.</p>
<p>I don’t really think you can put a percentage on it, just like how you can’t group them all into immature. I really feel like boarding schools in general can change people, and sometimes everything gets to people and there’s people who act immature. But like I said before, kids are just kids, and it’s just how they act.</p>
<p>Thank you very much, Exonian14! I agree that it is possible for kids and their parents to get so caught up in the application process that the idea of attending a school like Exeter might become glamorized in their minds. Thank you for reminding us that all the stress and hard work that goes into applying to a BS does not end with an acceptance letter. My DC is anxiously waiting for March 10, and trust me, we will be THRILLED if DC gets into Exeter. But I realize, at the end of the day, Exeter is “still school” and life won’t always be as thrilling (at Exeter or any BS) as one might imagine it to be. </p>
<p>Please give us more insight into your experience as a new lower at Exeter. Is it truly diverse and easy to find friends with similar interests, backgrounds, etc… Also, since everyone is driven, smart & talented, do students really respect one another and no one has to worry about being a “nerd”? Is there bullying? Can you tell us what some of your disappointments are? I’m not trying to be negative, I just want to hear a student’s perspective. Thus far, all I know about Exeter comes from glossy pamphlets, etc… </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Is participation in sports mandatory or are there other alternatives e.g. Drama, community service, etc.? If sports ARE required, then is EVERYONE at Exeter good at sports or are there beginners as well?</p>
<p>@EnemyOTS
The first two years at Exeter, participation in PE is required every term. In the last two years PE is required 2 out of 3 terms.</p>
<p>First year (prep year) everyone participates in an intro to various sports (fondly called prep spaz) unless on a Varsity or JV team. Prep spaz is scheduled every day.</p>
<p>After the first year, many students participate on the JV and Varsity teams. Another option is to take various PE classes (about 20 to choose from each term), like yoga, aerobics, dance, beginner instruction in team sports like crew, club sports like soccer, tennis, cycling, fencing. </p>
<p>My daughter, a new prep, made JV in two sports she had never played before, and is enjoying the team experience. So, in our experience, beginners are most welcome.</p>
<p>Clarification:
Dance fills a PE requirement even as a prep. You can definitely get out of taking spaz. Also - if you participate (performance or stage crew) in a Mainstage show it fills the sports block - also as a prep (another way to get out of spaz). Drama sports are automatically linked to the rehearsal times (GH format in Fall, EF or GH in Winter, and EFG in Spring) and meet at the top of rehearsal 4X per week.</p>
<p>Also, you can do music sports, which is like 1 hour 20 minutes of music practice followed by half an hour or so of exercise for 2 blocks, which is the same amount of time as a sport.</p>
<p>im an upper at exeter thought i should hop on if anyone needed help</p>
<p>Do Exonians dislike this “spaz” thing? The methods to “get out of it” makes it seem that way.</p>
<p>it depends on the individual… if ur not a sports person i highly recommend in staying in spaz you can get away with mediocre effort. but if your interested or passionate for a sport , spaz is a waste of time</p>
<p>Hello Exonians- My daughter was just wait listed for this fall. She would be entering as a junior (Prep I think you call it?). Exeter is her dream, and the only school to which she applied. Any thoughts or advice? I am very sad today and would really appreciate any support or advice you can give me.</p>
<p>classical teacher,</p>
<p>I am sure I express the sentiments of others in the CC community when I say that we empathize with your concern. All of us, in one way or another, understand what a cruel business the prep school admission process can sometimes be. </p>
<p>If your daughter decides to accept her spot on the waiting list, she should consider sending a hand written note to the admissions office reaffirming why Exeter is her first choice and dream school. She can then judiciously supplement her application if she has new and meaningful achievements to report.</p>
<p>After the dust settles a bit, you may want to get as candid an assessment as possible from an Exeter AO about your daughter’s chances for admission. As schools typically divide waiting list applicants into gender and grade specific pools, you may be able to determine how many other girls are in your daughter’s ninth grade waiting list pool. </p>
<p>At this point, your daughter may feel the natural inclination to hope for the best. If she does, I would suggest that you ever so gently manage her expectations. I would explain that the waiting list process may not end until the early summer. I would add that schools like Exeter can have little movement, or no movement at all, on their waiting lists.</p>
<p>Once these steps are taken, the process is not completely out of your daughter’s control. While Exeter is managing its waiting list, your daughter should be exploring new and exciting ways to improve her local school option. Every year scores of kids discover that their local option is their best option after all.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Classicalteacher- jmilton pretty much said it all. But, I wish you the best during the upcoming time. Looking back at past wait list threads, it seems that the most likely times to “get off” the wait list are during a) right after the notifying day (I dont remember what it’s called) and b) possibly during the summer, when current students decide not to come back and new ones are needed. I know someone who got off the wait list, so don’t worry, it’s possible!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Your comments really helped, and I am already feeling better today. We will take your advice, and ultimately I know she will end up where she is meant to be.</p>