PieLover

Just a minor correction, classes start at 8am.
But it is not uncommon to have a sleep-in, for example, my first classes on Mondays and Tuesdays are at 8:55am, which gives me almost an hour more of sleep.

gapoc459

I agree with most of 2prepmom's points.

About homework: I think the "regulations" are complete and utter BS. Here's why: the main purpose of homework is to help solidify (or in the case of math, TEACH) you the material. Say you're slow to understand a physics concept, or you have a learning disorder, or something; in keeping with the regulations, you put your books away after 50 minutes, with a perfectly legitimate excuse to your teacher if your work is incomplete. What are you going to do on the test if you don't understand what's going on?

If you manage your time properly (which I don't... ), you will be completely fine. Your workload depends entirely on the courses you take and the preparation you have from before.

So, I'm in an accelerated math class. Our teacher told us at the beginning of the year that if we can't keep up with the very fast pace of the class (we cover 2.5 years in one), we should drop to a lower class. I do not want to drop to a lower class, because I love the challenge and, even more so, the feeling that I am living up to my greatest potential (in math, at least). My homework for that class takes me approximately 2 hours a night; sometimes a lot more. I would definitely not wish to trade this class for an easier class that I can reasonably do my homework in less than an hour.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have French class. My previous school prepared me very thoroughly grammatically and such; but I have an obvious deficiency in actual speaking and comprehension. As a result, Harkness French class is the best thing ever; I don't really have to do any of my homework, since I know all the structures, but I'm still learning a ton from being in an environment that is taught entirely in French. If you take a class such as Latin, for example, you may have a sufficiently greater challenge; simply because it is inherently a more difficult course. While the "regulations" assure that you should not be spending more than 50 minutes, some courses will be much more difficult to COMPREHEND than others; inherently making the homework time much longer. History is one such course; the work usually takes me about 90 minutes.

Perhaps the single greatest factor that deters most students from ultimately applying and/or coming to Exeter is the perceivedly great level of intimidation. Some people feel the architecture is somewhat imposing, or that the people aren't sufficiently friendly, or that the workload is simply too much to bear. I have no idea whence this stereoptype arose. Yes, Exeter is an extremely challenging academic environment, but like any institution that puts together (not to mention HOUSES) hundreds of motivated, smart, fun, and nice teenagers together, it's impossible to not have a LIFE.

So, in conclusion: no, you should NOT be worried about being able to manage the course load. On the other hand, you should not fall into the mindset of "hey, that's less than I have now," because, really, the thing that makes Exeter so incredibly AMAZING is the unsurpassed amount of opportunity offered here. This school, perhaps more than any other in the nation, allows a student to live up to his/her full potential. As a result, as a student here you will feel academically satiated and content with yourself.

isitfridayyet

2prepmom- love reading your posts, they are so insightful and detailed. Noticed you are from Ohio, is that NE Ohio by chance? Thanks again for all of the great info.

2prepMom

@isitFriday
Thanks, I PMd you.

isitfridayyet

UGHHH not enough posts yet to respond!!!!

mom8dad

very good thread, for those accepted to Exeter in 2013

etondad

Also-- aside from the troll, a good thread over at Andover/Exeter too...

poetry2159

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.
1. 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.
2. Are you allowed to go into town after the school day ends occasionally?
3. 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!

PieLover

Hey! Congrats for being excited!

Yes Exeter is tough, but it is not at all uncommon to receive A's. They're harder to get, but they're definitely out there. There are people that receive all A's and A-'s. Obviously some courses are harder than others, so you'll have to choose between an A/A- in a normal course, or a B/B- in an accelerated one.

Yes, you are allowed anywhere in the 'Exeter Vicinity' (this is a very large area, it spans to Portsmouth, the town next to Exeter) until check-in (8pm for lowers on a school night).

First of all, none of the students will know if you're on FA, unless you decide to tell them. Secondly, a lot of us here are on FA (I think it's around 50% -- not too sure though). No one will judge you because of that. (:

etondad

At Experience Exeter Day this Thursday there was a question put to the panel on grading and Ron Kim, dean of the faculty, said that while there are no curves, grades seem to settle around a 9 or slightly lower overall-- and that is a B+(bias toward B).

Obviously as noted above-- it also depends on the course--classics tend to grade steeper for example (they notoriously do NOT include class participation --as was told to the assembled parents..).

What Mr Gary told everyone over and over again-- the AdCom did not make a mistake with you-- if you were admitted, you deserve to be at Exeter and can do very well at the Academy. Of course, that means doing your part--but no one is not capable of doing fine work.

Also, the speakers throughout the day (Exie would have smiled) that this is not the Exeter of old where it was a "there is the door, don't let it hit you on your rear on the way out" mentality. While no one would call it a touchy--feel-ly place, it is much more humane than before. Tom Hassan is leaving his mark on the institution.