ExeterIsAwesome

What are the exeter dorms/dorm rooms like? How big are they? What do they look like? What are they like compared to other schools' dorms?

00isme

By no means am I the most qualified CCer to answer this question, but I'll give it a go. I was admitted to Exeter, and I attended their summer school in 2011 as well. If im not mistaken, dorms at Exeter usually have about 40-50 kids, with the largest having 60+ kids. New upperclassmen live in houses(if I'm not mistaken) which have less than 20 people. The dorms seemed a little old compared to the other schools I revisited at(lawrenceville and Andover) however, my summer school room was a spacious two room double, much like the other rooms in my dorm. I hope that was helpful... But I'm going to Andover this fall, Sooo...

ExeterIsAwesome

What was the layout like inside the dorms?

ExeterMama

Every dorm is different, so it's tough to give you a specific layout. The rooms are decent sized. His first year, my son had a two room double and this year a single. His single was plenty big enough for him to have a futon in addition to his bed, desk, bureau, etc. The dorms are older, yes, but they are slowly renovating them.

ExeterIsAwesome

Thanks for all of your valuable input! Anyone else?

2prepMom

One of the nice things about Exeter is that students usually remain in the same dorm all 4 years, so there is a big emphasis on greeting new students in the dorm - the new students start earlier than the returning students, and there are many dorm bonding activities for them as a new group, then also with the larger dorm. The dorm culture is a big part of the Exeter experience. Parents meet and get to know their student's adviser, who lives in the dorm too.

Prep year my daughter had a huge double, next year she has a single. Some dorms are large, the ones near the gym may have a few more athletes, but most dorms are a mix of students.

gapoc459

Two questions. One: so, as I understand it, you stay in the same dorm, but not necessarily the same room/roommate all 4 years?

Two: are dorm assignments random/lottery-based, or do they take your interests into account? I, for example, am not that athletic, so I wouldn't mind being far away from the gyms; instead, I would love to be fairly close to the music building (I guess Abbot, or something like that), since I'm a musician.

ExeterIsAwesome

I don't go to exeter but I know that they do take in to account your interests and ec's when matching you to a dorm and roommate/roommates.

YupLifeisSweet

Most definitely. If your an upper class man you might end up in a house. Each dorm does have its own distinct identity but by no means they're not really cliché. You will meet your best friends in the dorm. Two guys, whom are my best friends, whom i thought we didn't have any common interests at all became my brothers.

2prepMom

Most students remain in the same dorm all 4 years. You are free to change roomates or request a single within your dorm (some dorms are all singles). Rarely, student request a move to other dorms. There are also small houses that are more often used for transfer students.

Your application information is taken into account when they decide which dorm you go to. They do a pretty good job matching kids to dorms, so I suggest you let them recommend the dorm. If you have a very strong preference you can request a specific dorm.

vegas1

It is my understanding that you can request a dorm. I believe they have already finished the boys dorm assignments. My son is in Abbott and loves it. We did not request a particular dorm, but it is a great fit. It is the smallest boys dorm on campus with just over 30 boys. Preps are assigned a room and roommate. At the end of every school year, new roommates are picked and a lottery is held by grade for the best rooms. The double my son had last year was large enough for 2 beds, 2 desks and a futon.

PieLover

O:
@Vegas1
The Dean of Students told all new boarding students that dorm assignments will be released in August. I'm going to be a 9th grade girl next year, and haven't heard anything.
Really excited to learn which dorm I will be in though!

gapoc459

Anybody know anything about Webster Hall? Geographically, it's perfect for my purposes, and the building looks pretty nice as well. How many singles vs. doubles? Social/academic feel in the dorm?

ExeterMama

Webster is a great dorm! What it lacks in renovations it makes up for in spirit, community and support. The rooms are good sized, I'm not sure how many doubles vs singles. My son had a two room double his first year. This past year he had a single and had plenty of room, even bought a futon.

The Faculty in Webster are so wonderful and supportive. They care about the kids that live there and it shows.

musisat

Webster Hall: Unrenovated since 1912. I think freshmen generally get doubles, but after that you have good chances of getting a single (I think). Webster is divided into North and South; apparently you can only get from one side to the other either through the outside or through the bathrooms that divide the two sides on every floor. Webster seems to be a very unified dorm, as they have one or two tables on the "faculty" side of Elm St. Dining Hall that most of them always sit at. They are known to be on the nerdy side, but it's Exeter, so who isn't?