<p>@gypsyrose, what you described above about the application/acceptance process to exeter is exactly the same as we went through, and now we are also very nervous(maybe for the same reasons as you do). We will revisit it next week too. Hope everything works out well with you and your DS.</p>
<p>@mom8dad</p>
<p>I have PM’d you as well.</p>
<p>Revisit days are very important, because Exeter has a very different “feel” from some other nearby schools my D was admitted to (Andover, Deerfield, Hotchkiss). </p>
<p>Exeter tried very hard to give an honest, accurate picture of life there during the revisit. Students have the whole day of real classes and lunch with a student buddy, and see their dorm. Parents can also observe the actual Harkess classes (very interesting and helpful) in subjects of their choice (physics was great, so was history and Latin), speak to all the Dept. heads about curriculum in a large open station-type arrangement in the science center auditorium, and ask questions of everyone, including Mr. Hassan directly (and they do!). Lunch in Dining hall has current parents volunteering to answer more questions.</p>
<p>We were left with a striking impression of open, transparent honesty and warmth. You will get a good chance to get to know the real Exeter. In our year, 1/2 of students had also been admitted to Andover, and many families were visiting both schools with us (the revisit days are staggered to allow this to happen with ease). It was interesting to compare impressions, and families pretty quickly self-sorted (50/50 in our year) into blue or red. I have not heard of anyone regretting their choice. Revisit days are a good way to get that “feel”, and suggest paying particular attention to what your child thinks. In our case, it was unquestionably unanimous to “say yes to Exeter”.</p>
<p>2prepMom, your post is very informative. What made you unquestionably unanimous to Exeter, may I ask?</p>
<p>As I said, we found the staff and students to be warm, open and very honest. No hype. My daughter loved Harkness, since she prefers active discussion in learning (and she immediately contrasted it to half the class texting in the back of the room while the teacher lectured). She also liked that students seemed really interested in learning, but were also interesting people in themselves. She felt at home, overjoyed and warmly welcomed (and still does 2 years later, by the way), which is pretty important to a Midwesterner. </p>
<p>I very much appreciated that they allowed us parents to sit in on actual classes to learn what Harkness was all about, especially in science. In science, the classes are crafted so students collect data in small groups, the computer aggregates it and projects graphs of results, then the teacher and students discuss (for example, little train with a weight over the edge of the table that is released accelerates from gravity) - what about heavier weight, heavier train, longer string? Everyone has ideas, they draw anticipated graphs on whiteboard, then they test them out and computer crunches up data and shows results. More discussion. Even I thoroughly learned F=ma by the end of the class, and it was FUN. </p>
<p>I also appreciated the availability of the Dept. chairs to answer many questions about curriculum planning, and was surprised that many had read my daughter’s application and could respond specifically to her areas of interest.</p>
<p>A large number of current parents were available at lunch to shmooze with, again, a great source of non-filtered knowledge. </p>
<p>This really contrasted starkly with some other school’s revisits, which had not felt as open, honest, warm or “real” to us. But each family formed their own impressions, and not everyone came to the same conclusion, which is why I suggest checking it out for yourself.</p>
<p>@mom8dad- I’m assured to hear that we are not alone! I actually have not been to Exeter yet myself- we have little ones so my husband and I took turns taking our DS to his tours and interviews. I’m very excited for the visit and getting to see and feel that open, honest & warm environment that @2prepMom speaks of! Enjoy your visit as well- I hope the best for you and your DC as well!</p>
<p>@NHMomof3<br>
I just PM’d you</p>
<p>@2prepMom
thank you once again for your detailed, structured description. After reading it, I immediately decided to select physics class to sit in on our revisit day. I also noticed in Exeter among all the SAT subject tests taken in 2012, Physics is the subject that most students took. It also has the highest average scores comparing with other subjects</p>
<p>2prepMom is absolutely right-- there is nothing “put on” about the revisit day at Exeter. It will give you and your C a great idea of what the Academy is and so you as a family can make a considered choice.</p>
<p>See a math class–that is probably the “most distinct” part of the curriculum and one in which you will want to determine if it fits well with your child’s learning style…and if he or she comes, you will understand when they call and talk about it! (and they will–one way or another…) :)</p>
<p>Hi, I am new here and won’t be able to go to revisit. Would appreciate if you can answer some of my concerns based on your own experiences.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li>What is the most critical skills/personal strength to have to success at Exeter. </li>
<li>I heard Exeter doesn’t have a system for parent to check the kids’ grade. Does your kid let you know their grades on a timely fashion? </li>
<li>Does the teacher or adviser contact parent when they see an issue such as slipping in grade?</li>
</ol>
<p>@new2exeter</p>
<ol>
<li><p>In my opinion to have success at Exeter the child has to be organized, self-motivated, and self-determined.</p></li>
<li><p>There is a parent portal you will have access to. The end of term grades, teacher, and adviser comments are posted there. As for weekly test grades, essay grades, etc my son probably wouldn’t tell me, just because there is a lot going on, so I ask him weekly to tell me what he got on tests, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>I have not had to deal with that issue myself, (and I hope I never do), but I would hope they would contact you if they felt there was a problem.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>and somewhat outgoing --remember Harkness.</p>
<p>The academy doesn’t WANT kids to fail–they will be there and they will enlist parent. My D was a proctor and I know that she spoke with her dorm head about a couple of kids who had problems and, while he wouldn’t be explicit for obvious reasons, she got the clear feeling that he had been in contact with the kids’ parents. </p>
<p>I know of one girl–bc her parents told me–whose advisor noticed that she presented the classic ADHD symptoms. She spoke with the girl’s parents suggesting that they obtain a medical evaluation–which they did and indeed she had ADHD and with support did very well at the Academy. So there are two examples of advisor/parent interactions.</p>
<p>In my opinion, kids who do well are willing to work, enjoy learning, and enjoy discussing material (with other equally bright kids under the guidance of the teacher) at Harkness tables. Kids with an area of strength or passion seem to hold up better (because “top of class” does not usually hold true any more and something you’re really good at helps you feel good). </p>
<p>Parents see all grades each term, with very extensive teachers’ comments (as in multiple pages) thru the parent portal, including recommendations for future classes. </p>
<p>My child’s advisor sends pictures of the dorm activities, has helped me organize cake for birthdays, always responds promptly to e-mails, and sends out very comprehensive comments/e-mails each term. We meet at parents’ weekend or as needed if we are visiting. I was impressed because there was a student feeling lonely early in prep year, and he asked my daughter to help. He seems to have a very good handle on how the girls are doing in the dorm.</p>
<p>Hello,
I have found out that I have recently been accepted to PEA as a lower and I am very excited. I do have a few concerns/questions though.
- I am a very hard worker, but I have heard that when you start out you experience a grade drop (which is understandable), but it then becomes uncommon to receive A’s, and that C’s are good. Would it be possible to receive a mix of A’s and B’s.
- Are you allowed to go into town after the school day ends occasionally?
- I will be going on financial aid, are those who are not on financial aid very snobbish and discriminating towards those on financial aid.
Thank you!</p>
<p>Yes of all, congrats. </p>
<p>1.-- Yes. But be prepared for a come-up-ance. It happens all of the time. No prob. BTW E grades on an 11 point system that is explained in the student handbook.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Of course. There are rules about being in a car-- read them carefully because they aren’t kidding around. Traveling on Amtrak requires someone above 16 I believe to be part of the group-- again all of this is in the E Book.</p></li>
<li><p>I sure there are idiots–as there are everywhere–but this isn’t a “prep school” of old. Kids are there by and large because of what they are not who they are. There is much more derision of the kid who appears to have a gained admission for reasons other than talent (artistic/athletic) and/or brains.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1) You probably will have a grade drop. I tell my son this is like falling when you ski. If you aren’t falling you aren’t pushing things. If you have all a’s it probably means you are ready for material that is harder than you and not be able to get it all mastered. You will learn more.</p>
<p>2) DS goes into town when ever he wants, your time from about 6:00 when classes or practice ends to check in (8:00 for preps) is yours, unless you have an EC or other meeting. Sometimes they go for dinner or ice crream. Weekends are similarly free outside classes or sports.</p>
<p>3) he says there is very little real snobbery, at least with the cohort he hangs with. I would guess that there are cliques like any other high school but they seem less toxic and extreme, mainly as there probably is the higher level of the kids in general. I don’t think he has ever mentioned any conversation about FP vs FA. It is much more about what can you do.</p>