<p>*** created this separate thread per DC's request ***</p>
<p>Went to revisit days at both Exeter and Andover. Amazing schools, no doubt about it.</p>
<p>Just to have some fun, here are my tongue-in-cheek impressions of the revisits. You would be surprised how many were actual words from admission officers / faculty members.</p>
<p>Top 10 Things Overheard at the Exeter Revisit Day:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Forget Andover, Deerfield or St. Pauls. They don't have Harkness Table. Lawrenceville? Their Harkess Table is fake. They haven't even figured out what wood to use yet.</p></li>
<li><p>Who cares about AP? We have Harkness Table. College Admissions? Do you really think that any self-respecting colleges would consider a non-Harkness student over a Harkness student? </p></li>
<li><p>Q - I saw only a few students were actively participating in today's Math class.
A - This is the first week of the Spring term. They are not in Harkness mood yet.</p></li>
<li><p>Q - I saw only a few students were actively participating in today's Physics class.
A - Many students were intimated by all you parents sitting in the classroom.</p></li>
<li><p>Q - I saw only a few students were actively participating in today's Chemistry class.
A - Don't be fooled by uninitiated eyes. Most of them were silently engaging in intense discussions using telepathy.</p></li>
<li><p>Q - The Ornithology class I went seemed just like any other lecture-style classes.
A - Did you notice that the table is oval? Isn't it fascinating that you can study birds Harkness style?</p></li>
<li><p>Why do we need a student support system? Harkness students know when and where to get help. If no help is available, they will form self-help groups themselves.</p></li>
<li><p>Harkness method is just one of the many teaching methods? Are you saying the Holy Bible is only one of the many books? Harkness Table must be worshipped. Heretics will be expelled to You-Know-Where in Massachusetts.</p></li>
<li><p>You can discuss and debate anything you want around the Harkness Table as long as it's not about the Harkness Table. </p></li>
<li><p>Harkness Table = Solution to Anything and Everything; Exeter = Harkness Table; Any Questions?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Top 10 Things Overheard at the Andover Revisit Day:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>We never say Andover is the best school. The best school is where your kids will attend, and that's Andover.</p></li>
<li><p>We only admit nice kids. Repeat after me: I AM nice, I AM nice, …</p></li>
<li><p>Your choice is between boarding and not boarding. Since you applied, you already made the decision.</p></li>
<li><p>Other schools? What other schools?</p></li>
<li><p>Did I say we only admit nice kids?</p></li>
<li><p>A school is not measured by how many presidents, senators, judges, Nobel-prize winners it educated. At Andover, You are tomorrow's presidents, senators, judges and Nobel-prize winners.</p></li>
<li><p>Did I say Presidents of the United States?</p></li>
<li><p>Campus safety? Your daughters and sons will be practically living in a bubble for the next 4 years. </p></li>
<li><p>If you don't reply by noon Eastern Time on April 10th, your place will be immediately offered at 12:01pm to one of the thousands of students who are eagerly awaiting. You and your kid will then be regretting for the rest of your life. </p></li>
<li><p>You will either accept our admission offer or you are out of your mind. The decision is yours, and we completely respect your decision.</p></li>
</ol>