Questions Regarding Phillips Exeter Academy

I was recently admitted to Phillips Exeter Academy as an incoming Lower (10th grade). I am an Asian American female and will be attending Exeter as a border with financial assistance. After receiving some information from the school, I have a few questions that are specific to the school itself so if any Exeter alums or current students can help me, I’d greatly appreciate it!

  1. The housing questionnaire asks if I prefer a house, mid-sized brick dormitory, or large-sized brick dormitory. What are the benefits of each of the three options? Are there any drastic differences between the three?
  2. Would you recommend having a roommate (if this helps, I am generally an outgoing person and wouldn't mind having a roommate, however, I am aware that there are some downsides to sharing a room with a peer)?
  3. What is the dress code like (specifically)? After reading the E Book, I have a general idea of what Exeter requires, however, are there any specific items of clothing you would recommend I bring? Could you give me some examples of what types of outfits girls wear on a day-to-day basis?

These are the only questions I have at the moment, but I will continue to post if any others arise. I hope this thread will be beneficial to all future Phillips Academy Exeter students!

Congrats on getting in! I’m going to Exeter (as a prep and a day student though) this fall too! Which revisit are you going to?
I can’t really help much with the first two questions, but about the third, I’m sure that you’ll see what sorts of things people wear at the revisit.

Longtime PEA parent here. I was hoping that a current student would answer your questions. I have a current senior and upper so I can give some feedback:

  1. The housing questionnaire asks if I prefer a house, mid-sized brick dormitory, or large-sized brick dormitory. What are the benefits of each of the three options? Are there any drastic differences between the three?
  2. Yes. Houses are very small and many times are full of kids with similar interests. If you want a very small close knit community to call home this would be a good choice for you. Medium sized dorms are 30-50 students approx. This size allows for kids to know all of their dorm mates on a more personal level. Large dormitories are in the 50+ kids range. These allow for more anonymity. Each dorm has its own identity and traditions. If you feel it isn’t a good fit after your first year, you can request a move. Our DD moved dorms after her 2nd year and is much happier in her new dorm.
  3. Would you recommend having a roommate (if this helps, I am generally an outgoing person and wouldn't mind having a roommate, however, I am aware that there are some downsides to sharing a room with a peer)?
  4. This really boils down to personal preference. All of my kids started in doubles and eventually moved into singles. If you choose to have a double, make sure you and your roommate set some ground rules from the get go and don’t assume you will be best friends. My kids best roommates, were always kids who they had separate social lives then. When they roomed with “friends” it usually changed the dynamic in a negative way.
  5. What is the dress code like (specifically)? After reading the E Book, I have a general idea of what Exeter requires, however, are there any specific items of clothing you would recommend I bring? Could you give me some examples of what types of outfits girls wear on a day-to-day basis?
  6. Bring what you are comfortable in. Our DD wears ripped jeans, vans and Brandy Melville tops most days. She doesn’t wear her ripped jeans to class as it is outside dress code- although she knows what teachers don’t care and won’t chsnge for those classes. She also wears cute skirts with converse and sweaters occasionally. But she is just as likely to be in sweats and a T-shirt when she isn’t in class. Honestly, just be you!! You will see all types of styles represented at PEA. As far as what you can’t wear to class: T-shirt’s with words, leggings, ripped jeans, belly tops, spaghetti straps, short skirts are all outside of dress code. Congratulations on your acceptance! Revisit day is a great chance to see the different types of dorms , what kids wear and ask your tour guide about their experience with single or double.
  1. If you are a very social person you might want to try a larger dorm. There is a pending visitations policy afoot that will limit the ability of all students to visit friends in other dorms regardless of gender. So that means as a girl you will be limited to visiting your female friends in their dorms on select days and hours. Same for boys visiting boys. That has been the policy all along for boys visiting girls and girls visiting boys. A larger dorm will allow you more opportunities to see friends, study in groups, source class materials etc. w/o having to maneuver around visitation hours. You can read about it in The Exonian on line.

  2. My kids have had roommates and it’s been great in so many ways but also can be a bit of a study distraction. I would recommend a roommate, however for your first year there.

  3. The dress code is informal and unevenly enforced. It’s nice that you are considerate enough to want to respect it. (I think that’s your goal.) What teacher wants to spend part of his/her day addressing kids’ clothes when usually the child and their parent have already agreed in writing to the dress code. Students are usually offered the opportunity to change if they are out of code before matters escalate. Many students dress nicely but not expensively. There are a few who seem to not care at all about their clothes or appearance.

You will need waterproof winter boots. I see loads of LL Bean 7-8" duck boots. Uggs boots and Timberlands. I’m sure there are many great styles and brands.

I just reread your OP and see that you will be a new lower. Typically new lowers don’t have roommates. You will be in classes with many other new lowers, such as health or math, and will get to meet people and make friends that way.

@Xystus I will be an incoming lower next year as well; I was looking forward to having a roommate, is there any chance I’ll be able to request for a double?

@Cristian007 Yes, you can request to have a roommate.

@vegas1 @xystus Thank you both for the help! I also enjoy playing soccer competitively; do either of you have any perspective on this? Or the athletics aspect of PEA in general?

@ravenclaw3 Congratulations! I’ll be attending the revisit day on March 30. What about you?

@prismworks April 6

@vegas1 @xystus Also, do either of you know a bit more about all-gender dormitories?

@prismworks There are 2 gender inclusive houses at PEA. They are for anyone who would like to live in a gender inclusive setting. It is self-selecting and you can be of any gender identity. From what I have heard, the living experience has generally been positive.
@Cristian007 There is a great business club at PEA that you might like. They have competed nationally over the summer and done well.

@Xystus I’d love that!!! Thank you very much for letting me know!

Great to meet you! I am also admitted as a new lower and I will be going to Exeter this fall! I already submitted my housing questionnaire and I chose large dorm so that I can meet many people. I said I prefer not to have a roommate, just in case I might have a different life style or a different ec schedule to my roommate. Hope I could meet you next fall!

@highschoolgall Nice to meet you! I also put down large, so hopefully, we’ll be in Dunbar or some other dorm together! What extracurriculars, courses, etc. are you interested in?

@prismworks Oh really? I also put down large! Well on my housing preference questionnaire, I wrote that I am interested in both sports and music, so I think I might be placed to one of the dorms in between sports center and music building.
I’m a math/computer science person but I also love history and enjoy learning new languages.
By the way, would you mind if I PM you??

I’m glad they are doing a questionnaire. We didn’t get one last year.

How long was it after enrolling that you received a questionnaire?

@emro12 Once you set up your email address (don’t remember exactly how that worked, but it was pretty soon after I enrolled), you can access ExeterConnect and it’s available from the homepage there. (I’m going to be a day student next year, so it’s kind of irrelevant for me, but I happened to notice it.)

@highschoolgall I’d love it if you did! Sorry for the late response!