WorriedOne1000

How much time do students at Andover and Exeter spend in town?

justsayin123

@andover2016 exeter offers japanese.

I am currently attending Exeter and was accepted to both schools.
Personally, I'd say Exeter has a more "formal" feel to it because of the dress code. Ties and shirts as opposed to sweats really make a difference in class; it makes the atmosphere more serious.

I spend quite a lot of time downtown. Usually, I'd have at least two meals a week in a local restaurant and I often find myself walking around the town and the little shops during my free time, especially in the weekends.

WorriedOne1000

Thanks for answering my questions. I know that at Andover they have BlueCards, which are ID cards and debit cards. Does Exeter have something similar? If so, where can it be used? Is there a Subway (fast food outlet) in the town of Exeter?

GoBigBlue

Check out the new Andover interactive online video:

Andover Walkabout?Admission

andover2016

@pittsburgher, ya sorry I didn't see that, but Andover does have many more courses for each language.
@worriedone, one thing you must consider is if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. The Harkness tables encourage all students to voice their opinions, which introverts like me do not like as much. I prefer being taught in a more direct manner and answering questions by raising my hand. Even if you know the answer in a Harkness class you might not want to foray into the discussion to voice it. If you are more of an extrovert and enjoy discussing and debating in your school subjects, Exeter might be for you. if you are an introvert I think Andover would be the better fit.

markalex1

Hey guys, it's me again. im really sorry to distract from the conversation, but since the op wanted differences between exeter and andover, i think i should correct the above poster. @andover2016, while i think your enthusiasm for your new school is great, be sure to check facts before you list them (just to avoid confusion). I looked online and found that Andover has 102 language courses while Exeter has 134. Both schools have fantastic language departments though, so you can't go wrong with either.

bsalum

If you are a history buff, one interesting fact is that Samuel Phillips Jr (founder of Andover) was very active in the revolutionary war (providing gun powder and volunteering to fight at bunker hill). On the other hand, John Phillips (founder of Exeter), who was more conservative, tried not to take sides (play sides) and avoid conflict. Both men were ministers and John was financially very generous to Samuel. I find the roots of the schools interesting because over 200 years later I would describe Exeter as more conservative and Andover students more rebellious. No judgement here though either way; both fantastic- just musing...

andover2016

Sorry about my mistakes, I glanced quickly. It appears that Andover has more courses for languages like Arabic and Japanese than Exeter, but less classes such as French and Spanish electives and cultural courses.

blueisbest

worriedOne1000,

I went through this exercise last year. Here’s what I concluded regarding some of the issues discussed so far.

Some like the stark modernism of the library at Exeter; others prefer the traditional elegance of the wood paneled reading rooms of the Andover library. Some like the compactness of the Exeter campus; others favor the more expansive Andover campus because it feels like a mini-Ivy League college. It’s a matter of taste, and only your taste matters.

Walking to class is not an issue at either school. Neither is prestige, as Andover and Exeter are both well regarded in America and abroad.

Foreign language shouldn’t be a deciding factor either because both schools have outstanding language programs. The only caveat is whether you wish to take language courses beyond the fourth level of instruction. If so, consider Andover because it offers sixth level courses in Chinese, French, Latin, German, Japanese, and Russian, as well as fifth level classes in Spanish. By contrast, a cursory review suggests that Exeter offers no language course beyond the fourth level except for a term long 600 level class in Latin.

The town of Andover is probably nicer than the town of Exeter. But it doesn’t matter much because you will spend most of your time happily ensconced in the bubble of your campus, whether you attend Andover or Exeter. Nevertheless, being relatively close to the excitement of big city life and the airport in Boston is a definite advantage for Andover students.

When I get a chance, I’ll post again with some additional food for thought.

Good luck!

WorriedOne1000

Wow, thanks for all your help, everybody!

prowrest

Hi, I was accepted as a 10th grader for both andover and exeter. I have read through both admission packets and found qualities, courses, and styles of each school that I ejoy. I have a couple of questions. I know exeter embraces the harness method, andi love the method. Does andover dosomething similar? Also, how is it entering as a new 10h grader for each school. Lastly, how is the food. Thank you!!

Myshkaful

1. Andover supposedly does something similar to Harkness in English and History...I believe not so much in Math and Science, whereas Exeter has Harkness in about every course.
2. Sorry -- don't know the answer to this one! Was not admitted, but waitlisted this year, haha.
3. Judging by the attitudes of my tour-guides at both of the schools, Andover food is supposed to be better. My friend who goes to Exeter says so also.

Hope this helps. If I'm wrong, anyone, feel free to correct me! I do not go to either of those schools so I am not certain.

Analyticall

Why are you answering without even going to Andover, seriously? The OP is seeking answers from students with actual experience; not some anecdotal hearsay, just sayin... When it comes to food, someones gourmet dish can be some one else's worst nightmare. My brother likes Broccoli, I hate it.

prowrest

That is very true

classicalmama

I don't think upper level coursework in languages is an issue at Exeter. Latin has 500 level. French and Spanish have two year's worth of 400 level courses. (The number of the course isn't all that relevant--Exeter actually offers very few 500 level classes, but 400 level courses are often college-level) Other languages have "special topics" courses offered for more advanced students, and those will run with just a few students if there's interest. I suspect that when you get down to it, there just isn't much difference between the two schools where language is concerned.

One nice thing about the Exeter town (for some kids anyway) is the way the town and school are intertwined. The school bookstore, for example, is on the main commercial street. It's as easy a walk to the town coffee shop as it is to the library. In that sense, the town of Exeter is contained in the school bubble. But it is smaller.

Boston's readily accessible IF your parents give permission--there's a commuter rail within walking distance, but I can honestly say that you'll probably be too busy to take a full day on week-ends to head into the city. There's an airport shuttle for breaks that runs to both Manchester and Boston--the Boston shuttle takes a little over an hour, I think. Again, not sure how any of this compares to Andover.

I do agree that the biggest difference is probably the whole Harkness approach, which really requires a very different way of approaching studying and class time and, I think, does end up shaping a different kind of student--again, not better or worse, but different. The best way to get a sense for that difference is to visit a class--especially one that you wouldn't normally associate with Harkness (though my favorite class to observe was history!)

Another interesting pro or con of Exeter, depending on your point of view, is that, with very few exceptions, students change courses and teachers each 10-week term. So each term is a completely fresh start.

As for the food, I think it's quite good when I visit. There's always a big salad bar full of good stuff and several entree choices, and fresh fruit. It's not like a restaurant, but honestly, I think my kid prefers school meals to home these days! However, I've never eaten at Andover, so no basis for comparison there.

You guys are having the most civilized Andover vs. Exeter discussion I've seen yet on CC! Nice!