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Alright. This is the rule. If you are accepted and decided to go to Exeter, then post your graduating class year.

Class of '08

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 03:08 am: Edit

i'm assuming you mean high school class of 08? Well, I'm Exeter class of '06; I've been there for two years. If you have any questions, feel free to email me (click my username).

By Tubby (Tubby) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 01:14 pm: Edit

i'm thinking about going to exeter's summer school next year to get a taste of boarding life. what do you hear and what do you think about that idea?

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 01:25 pm: Edit

Great way to see if this is for you. It was my daughter's approach. Spend a summer at one school but then do a tour. She loved the prep school life, but didn't end up choosing the one she spent the summer at.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 06:20 am: Edit

From what I've heard, summer school is very different from the Exeter regular session. I mean, you'll obviously be on the same campus and use the same facilities... but that's basically all that remains the same. A lot of the teachers aren't even Exeter faculty and the dorm-life experience will probably be skewed. Also, it is summer after all and I'm sure the atmosphere won't be the same as during the regular session. But not to deter you from going... I've heard from people that it's a lot of fun and you'd enjoy it. It's just that you shouldn't expect what you experience next summer to be equivalent to what Exeter is during the school year.

By Tubby (Tubby) on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 12:04 pm: Edit

cfunk, what do you mean that the dorm life may be skewed? Also, i realize it won't be exactly the same but i can't come up with an experience that will at least give a taste without making the huge, total commitment to give up my present life for the boarding one. Would you not agree that if i had a bad experience at the summer program that the full year boarding life could be a disaster? I know it is not perfect but it is all i have unless you have any other suggestions?


Mom101, What did your d say about the diff between summer and regular year? all comments appreciated. tubby

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 01:47 am: Edit

well, dorm life is a very important aspect of Exeter. Each dorm forms it's own community and has its own traditions. For example, my dorm Cilley Hall, we host two events a year. One, C-FUNK, is a dance held in the winter and also Cilley Tea, is a formal event in which we all take a girl to the Exeter inn for a formal dinner. Dorms also have their own reputations, such as Wentworth (the jock dorm) and Main Street (the genius dorm). Rivalries exist and just all in all it's a very fun and exciting aspect of exeter which is pretty much nonexistent during the summer session.

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 02:35 am: Edit

My daughter will just be starting in Sept. and she chose a different school than the one she went to last summer. But just yesterday, I asked a Choate teacher a similar question: would a kid who got all honore in the summer get A's during the regular year? The answer? Don't count on it. When you think about it, they can't possibly be as selective for the summer as they are for regular admits (though they require an application, transcript and 2 recs). The application process at the top schools is as thorough as applying to the ivy league. They definitely give you a break during the summer and the kids are a broader spectrum so assume it isn't that representative, but will give you a feel.

By Tubby (Tubby) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit

cfunk, couple more questions.
1. how happy are the kids there. what % are veryhappy, don't care, or are miserable?
2. is it worth going there if you will struggle to be in the middle of the pack instead of top 15%?
3. Do you thinkthe experience is worth the chance that you hurt your chances at a competetive college since it is so hard to stand out?
I know these are hard questions but i would really appreciate your and mom101's opinions along with anything else you care to add. one more thing, what other schools did you look at and why did you choose Exeter? many thanks, tubby

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 11:54 pm: Edit

Tubby, good questions. I warned my D when she decided on preps that it could reduce her chances if she wanted HYPS. Going to your local public and being in the top handful is probably a more certain bet for that. I mentioned the Choate teacher working for me this summer, and I aked her the "happy" question. She said that most kids are happy they went. The one complaint she hears most often is fatigue--it is very intense. Let me say, however, that I personally saw a big difference in how happy kids seemed among the 6 schools we took a hard look at. My daughter did not apply to Exeter after looking at the school for 2 days and talking to students. She felt it was a pressure cooker and more formal than what she wanted. There were much better fits for her, and she ended up choosing St. Paul's with Andover being in the final 2 as a fit for her interests and personality. My overall feeling is that top preps are worth the experience if you are so inclined even if you won't end up at Harvard. Many, many kids tell me that the prep school years shaped them far more than college, that they formed their greatest bonds there and it was the most exciting learning environment of their lives.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 05:50 am: Edit

Tubby,
Okay, I'll try my best to answer your questions. You seem very interested; what grade are you in? Thinking about applying?

1. How happy are the kids there?
At Exeter we like to make the distinction between being "stressed" and being "depressed". Everybody is stressed. I would be very surprised if anyone on campus did not experience any stress during their four years at Exeter. But stress is a good thing, and often times serves a motivational capacity that is actually benefecial to the student body. However, there are students at Exeter who are depressed. Most people aren't open about it and so I can't give you an approximation (percentage-wise). I also can't tell you what causes depression, since it's usually a variety of factors and again, most people don't talk about it. But it does exist, no doubt about it. But really, as long as you manage your time efficiently and handle everything optimistically, you can look forward to having an excellent time there.

2. Is it worth going there if you will struggle to be in the middle of the pack instead of top 15%?

This is probably the most talked about issue with prep schools these days and how it can often hurt a person's HYP chances. Yes, the environment is more competitive and you will be surrounded by plenty of talented indviduals. However, after two years at Exeter, I am of the conviction that it is possible for ANYBODY accepted to do very well academically. Everyone is smart, and often i'm surprised that some people don't do as well as I expect them to. This still remains a mystery to me, how certain people who I'm sure are certified geniuses still struggle in the middle of the pack. People will tell you, "don't go to prep school, you won't be near the top of your class if you do." But think about it, in every class there is always a top 10 percent or a top 20 percent. How can you know that you won't be a part of that unless you give it a shot? I honestly don't have much respect for people who choose to stay at their public schools because they don't think they'll do well at a top prep. All this shows is a lack of self-confidence and an unwillingness to try. People like this don't deserve to go to HYP's anyways. (sry if i sound harsh, but that's really how I fee;) The bottom line here is that as long as exeter accepts you (proving your competence, at the very least) and you approach your studies with a strong and diligent work ethic, you'll be fine. Exeter doesn't teach you to get into a good college, it prepares you to be successful for the rest of your life. Not everyone gets into harvard, but I'm sure no matter what college the student attends, he/she will be at an enormous advantage because of the experiences and lessons learned at exeter.

3. what other schools did you look at and why did you choose exeter?

I applied to Exeter, Andover, Milton, Deerfield, and NMH. These are all very good schools with exceptional college matriculation statisticis (except NMH) and your choice should really depend on which environment suits you the most. I was set on Exeter after I had my tour there; I was amazed by the campus and people I met.

Ok, I hope that helped. Any more q's just let me know.

By Tubby (Tubby) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 09:10 pm: Edit

cfunk and mom, thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. I am a rising freshman and my plan is to apply either this year or next. I have a july birthday and love sports. I play soccer,tennis,hockey, and baseball. I am thinking about repeating either 9th or 10th grade if i go the prep route. I have heard the sports are very competetive. I also think I would benefit with another year of maturity since i would be a plane ride away from home. St. pauls, Deerfield, exeter, and lawrenceville are my current favorites. All things being equal, do you guys think repeating a year will help my chances? also, cfunk, any reason you didn't look at st. Pauls as it is right next door? The campus sure is beautiful. any comments are really appreciated!! tubby

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 12:41 am: Edit

Tubby, when my daughter chose between St. Paul's and Andover our feeling was that St. Paul's would be better for 9th and 10th, and Andover for the last two years. At double the size, Andover has more electives, clubs etc. St, Paul's is certainly more nurturing and homey, and with the largest per pupil endowment of any of the preps doesn't lack much. A parent wrote on another thread of being at the Manchester airport when kids were arriving at both Exeter and SPS. The SPS kids were greeted by teachers with face books and Krispy Kreams while the Exeter students tried to figure out how to get to campus. One can make arguements for both approaches, but for a 14 year old I like the SPS approach. My daughter, like you, will be a long way from home so the mom in me definitely voted for SPS. And she realized she'd probably spend junior year abroad or do an exchange program of another kind. I really don't know how they feel about repeating a grade, but I found the admissions people at all of the schools very candid. It's time for you to start talking to them. The best fit for you will probably become evident as you open a dialogue with each of the school's you're interested in.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 01:07 am: Edit

Haha, krispy kreams? Sounds like kindergarden. But that's certanly an approach, and an important one, that Tubby should consider when he's looking at schools. Exeter is more of an independent environment. People will hold your hand only if you ask them to, and even then it's only to a certain extent. This again is why I said people at Exeter are likely to have more success in college, because since they were 14 or 15 they've been working in a college-like environment.
I know quite a few people who decided to stay back a year. I don't think it affects the admissions decision at all. I even know someone who was accpeted as an upper, but then asked the school if she could start as a lower, and they agreed. My advice is that youshould start in 9th grade if you can. There's a very special bond among 4-year seniors that the other students miss out on. It's a collective sense of accomplishment your senior year, when you know that you, along with about 180 other classmates, braved through four entire years of Exeter. I have yet to experience that but the seniors in my dorm have, and it is something very special that I look forward to partaking in.
To answer your question, I didn't look at St. Paul's mainly because I'm not religious and can't imagine myself attending mandatory chapel however many times a week. However, it certainly is a great school and if you like the campus then I say go for it.
That's another thing. People say "don't look at the campus, just focus on the academics at the school". That is far from being a good approach to take. You're going to be attending this school for four years, and if it's not aesthetically pleasing, you're not going to be very productive there. I liked Exeter's campus the most and I have to say that is probably the main reason why I chose it. Our school owns a 300 acre piece of forest situated right behind our athletic fields and it has a humongous trail inside that winds around beautiful creeks and streams. I took jogs there every day after classes last term, and it was truly one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at Exeter.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 01:12 am: Edit

oh, apply as whatever you want. I know people who were accepted as 11th graders but then asked to be switched to 10th, and the school didn't mind. Just consider a few factors.
1. If you stay back a year, you'll have more chances to take advantage of the 350-course curriculum and other opportunities that 2 year or 3 year students can't enjoy.
2. There's a special bond between four-year seniors. I think it's a collective sense of accomplishment your senior year, knowing that you along with 180 other students braved four entire years of phillips exeter. it's very beautiful.
3. Although there are many advantages of being a four year student, personally I would not like to stay back. 5 years of high school is too much and I don't like knowing that i'm older than everone in my year.

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 01:15 am: Edit

I'll just pipe in that we are not religious either and I thought chapel and the religious element would be negatives. It turns out that chapel is a favorite of most at SPS, it's more an open forum than a religeous experience. Also, the chapel ranks with the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. While it appears there is more hand holding in one sense at SPS, it really has the least restrictions of any of the schools we looked at. No mandatory study hours or lights out. Ans Cfunk, what's with those Exeter dorms? By far the worst we saw--downright depressing!

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 05:40 am: Edit

haha are you kidding me? I've visited many college dorms and other prep school dorms and they pale in comparison to the dorm I'm in now. My friend is at Harvard now, and he told me what he missed the most about Exeter was our dorm and the quality of the facilities.
When did you visit? A lot of the more backward dorms were renovated in the past three years and are now very very high quality. For example, our bathroom sink is made out of marble and there is mahogany furniture in each common room. In fact our first floor common room looks more like a cozy study than anything else, with a luxurious fireplace and rows of bookshelves.
Do you remember the name of the dorm you visited? I'd say there are probably still two dorms on campus (out of around 20) that aren't totally up to par. But these are on schedule to be renovated thiis summer and then next summer as part of the academy Master Plan... a 50 million dollar agenda that intends to beautify and embellish our campus. We have plans for a massive new student center and they've already planted hundreds of new trees (especiall cherry blossoms) around campus. Last spring every quad smelled wonderful because of the cherry blossoms everywhere.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 06:22 am: Edit

I'm a very active admissions tour guide on campus and I've had plenty of families compare my dorm to a "hotel".

By Tubby (Tubby) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 10:33 pm: Edit

cfunk, thanks for your reply.
My problem is that I have a younger bro and sis. My mom says absolutely no way i am breaking up[ the family before 10th grade. She rationalizes some kind of compromise between me going away for four years and none. I think 2 years would not be enough to sample all the oportunities available. therefore, because I am one of the youngest in my present grade and the hassles from mom, I am thinking about repeating. I hear it is quite common for young boys to do it. MOm101, how did you deal with the family problem. Maybe you have something I can use on my mom!!
Cfunk, I may be in the area in the next few weeks. What dorms should I see to get the best impression?
One last question for you two. Are you guys INSOMNIACS? Look at the times you guys post!! just kidding, I really appreciate your help. tubby

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 01:34 am: Edit

Cfunk, I visited this past November and was clearly shown one of the 2 unrenovated dorms! Tubby, it was very hard for me to think about my daughter going across country until we went on the tour. After spending time at the schools it was very clear to me that my daughter was correct, she could not get what they offered at home. It became obvious to me that it would be selfish not to support her decision. But I'm not looking forward to Sept.....Also, I must say I felt much better when I saw the school calander, there really is a lot of time at home and it's quality time as there will be no homework, sports, etc. And do tell your mom Cfunk is right, all of the kids stressed how great it was to spend the full 4 years, both those who had and hadn't.

By Cfunkexonian (Cfunkexonian) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 02:49 am: Edit

Haha, well after a few years at Exeter I've sort of shrugged off sleeping. I only do it when I'm in the mood. Hah kidding, I'm in China right now, and it's a 12 hour time difference so my posts all seem really late.

Tubby, my dorm is called Cilley Hall and is among the best dorms on campus. It's only single rooms and is one of the only dorms with an elevator. Just ask around for Cilley Hall and you should be able to find it. But most of the dorms are clean and comfortable. The two dorms to avoid would probably be Soule and Hoyt. They are among the oldest and smallest, and are going to be renovated very soon. But even the students there enjoy it, citing the age and apartment-like style of the dorms to be a major plus for them.

And Mom101 is right. Has your mom visited any of these schools yet? I'm sure one visit will blow her away and she'd realize the world of opportunites available to you elsewhere. And also, if you get in then your siblings will have preference in the admissions process if they choose to apply. I've taken around suspicious parents on tours and your situation isn't uncommon. There have been parents very skeptical and unaccepting at the beginning of the tour. But after showing them our 30 million dollar science center and historic academy building, they were indeed blown away.

By Bruceconti (Bruceconti) on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 11:05 am: Edit

Mom101- How is she liking the Odyssey? I really enjoy the books, but the incredibly dense 65-page introduction was EXTREMELY boring

By Phillipsexeter (Phillipsexeter) on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Cfunk you sure type a lot on behalf of the school, but thats a good thing.

If you would like you can use me as a resource for questions also. I don't check these posts as much but you may email me and i will always answer to the best of my ability.

I am a day student at the Academy if you have any specific questions about that.

Cfunk is right: Cilley, Amen and Peebs (Peabody) are way nice right now

Sincerely,

Phillipsexeter