<p>In the fall, when we were visiting schools, I remember some parents saying that certain questions were best asked at the revisit rather than at the interview. Now that revisits are next weeks, I can only remember a few of those questions.</p>
<p>How does academic advising work?</p>
<p>What kind of help is available if my student finds himself struggling and how soon do teachers notice when there is a problem?</p>
<p>Any thoughts? This forum is in many ways like a virtual harkness table in that I will often read something here that never occurred to me before. The knowledge of those more experienced than I would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>The advising question is a good one and ties into your second one. I would ask them together - how does it work and how often are you communicated with about grades, etc? </p>
<p>Health Center - policies about sending kids home, etc. Doctor appts, things like that. Also when are you notified about a sick child?</p>
<p>Your son will be assigned an advisor, this person generally has dorm duty in his dorm or is a resident of his dorm. (My daughter’s advisor lives across the street from her dorm.) The advisor is the go-to person for just about everything. Every term his advisor will contact you with mid-term grades to give you an idea of how your son is doing. That is the only “official” contact with the parents but parents can contact the advisor any time they wish and it does not have to just be about academics. The advisor is supposed to be the first point of contact between parents and the school, however, I have found that teachers are very open to direct contact with parents as well.</p>
<p>Peer tutoring is available Sunday through Thursday. There are also upperclassmen in the dorms who are helpful for tutoring. The teachers are also very open to meeting out of class, although they do not generally have “office hours.”</p>
<p>I assume Neato is asking about Exeter - but I don’t know what school Linda is asking about.</p>
<p>At Exeter the health center doesn’t really notify you about a sick child unless it is something on the serious side. They really leave it up to the student to contact their parents. One helpful thing is to have your child’s e-mails copied to your e-mail account and then you will receive all his notices of dickies which are issued even when cleared by the health center. That has helped me keep track of my daughter and then I can call her and ask why she was in the health center instead of in her math class.</p>
<p>Placement questions if you have any - math and foreign language are two that come to mind. I might want to ask about tracks for math and science as well because these may have impact on courses that can be taken later.</p>
<p>The other thing that I think might be of interest is what is offered in terms of time management training, if that is a concern. The kids have to juggle work with sports, clubs and whatever other activities they get involved in and they may require support.</p>
<p>From reading this forum over the past few years, it seems that the kids are better at finding out what they need to know better than the parents FWIW. From everything that you’ve said in your posts, I’m sure your son will be the same way. Of course as a mom, I can understand a concern about pretty much anything. </p>
<p>Have a great visit - are you all just ready to burst with excitement?</p>
<p>As for Exeter: My son spent the night in the health center and I did get a call from them letting me know he was there and not to worry he was ok. The nurses were wonderful when I called twice a day to check in over the 3 days/2 nights he was admitted there.</p>
<p>Neato: During the revisit morning reception, we connected with a parent who already had a child at the school. We spent the day together and got the low down on everything and what to do & not do. </p>
<p>To everyone: Find a current parent during your revisit!</p>