<p>I was just wondering what you thought. Most people would instantly say Exeter but Andover seems to be less strict and intense than Exeter among other things. What do you think, is it Exeter or some other school?</p>
<p>Good luck to anyone taking the SSAT on Saturday. I know I need some!</p>
<p>Perhaps Choate because of size?</p>
<p>I’d say Exeter then Choate. Exeter and Andover are similar in academic rigor, student body and abundance of opportunities, etc., which define a school more than anything else. Choate and Andover are similar in their setting (suburban), relatively laid back culture including a school admistration apparently warmer and more open and dress code (though slightly different) and campus feel, etc.</p>
<p>Lawrenceville. Similarly high day-student population and culture. Strong academics and placement.</p>
<p>I’d say Exeter. Both are large, have the same amount of day students, (25%) get a similar number of applications, offer similar sports, and even have similar academic requirements.</p>
<p>An Andover student who is a really good musician told me that the non-arts specialty school as good as Andover for music is Choate, so that’s another similarity. (I’m sure that plenty of other schools have excellent music programs, too, Choate was the one she singled out.)</p>
<p>I haven’t been to all that many, but it does seem as though Exeter and Andover have real similarities, including attracting very intense students who work extremely hard (I haven’t seen the laid back vibe that some people think Andover has, at least not in my kid). Two Andover kids told me that the freedom at Andover (e.g., lack of a dress code, unlimited internet access) make it somewhat different from Exeter in attitude, and they interpret it to mean that their school trusts them.</p>
<p>Not to imply above that schools w/o a dress code don’t trust their students,I’m just relating what the students said.</p>