PA-C

Hi PAE teacher,

I was wondering what your thoughts are about the revisit impressions someone posted on another thread. Can you speak to some of their comments on this thread?

PEAteacher

I can't say that I've read them carefully. I really don't have much to say about them. Impressions are impressions. I do think they are important; the "feel" of a school does matter. At the same time, there's a lot that you can't and won't learn about a school through a one-day visit. So I think it's important to make decisions on the basis of both objective factors and impressions/perceived feel; I assume that's what everybody does.

JC65

I totally agree with what PEAteacher said. Different persons has different perceptions and feelings on different things because we are individuals. My S was admitted both in Exeter and Andover, both are great great schools in the country. However, he is just feeling "right" to Exeter, we received letters from admission office, emails and hand-writing letters from coaches and varsity captains and more a phone call from one of a current parent from Andover telling me that how happy her S was for one hour. No doubt, the visit and interview was very impressive as everyone was so friendly and warm. Yes, I can know what other people are talking about the schools, Exeter is too preppy, competitive, nerdy, so and so YET we are just "FALLING IN LOVE" with Exeter on the first day since my S came to access Exeter last summer, everything in Exeter is amazing to him though we cannot revisit in spring, we believe that he can strive for success in the next three years. Of course we are not depending on impressions or personal feelings, as PEAteacher said, objective factors such as academic program is also very important that decides whether it is suitable for our kid or not. In my point of view, different schools are suitable for different kinds of kids and cannot say that which one is better than the other. As parents, instead of just hearing what other people saying about the schools, you should be the only one who know what your kids are looking for.

urbanflop

What do the dorms and showers look like in Exeter? Im applying for this year.

PEAteacher

Yes, the showers are a common concern... Here's the good news: all the dorms I've seen have shower stalls with doors or curtains, so you'll be able to take a shower while preserving your modesty. Bathrooms vary a good deal depending on the dorm. In smaller dorms (houses), they're little rooms that you lock, like in your own house. In most dorms, however, they're bigger, with multiple sinks, toilet stalls, and shower stalls. They're cleaned daily by your friendly custodian, so they stay reasonably clean.

As for the dorms themselves, Exeter has 29, so the variety is significant: from houses that have fewer than 10 residents to Wentworth, which has over 60. It's impossible to generalize because of the variety. Rooms are small in some dorms and huge in other dorms (and even within the same dorm there will often be some small and some huge rooms). By and large, I'd say most students have no major complaints and grow to love their dorm.

PA-C

When do kids find out their dorm assignments?

PEAteacher

Usually in mid-August.

asiankid29

Based on the information the school has given us, new students should be in the school by September 9, but classes don't start until the 11th. What do we do for two days? Do we just mingle with other new students and set-up our dorms? (:
Thank you!

PEAteacher

Let's see. Last year the day you got there included a meeting with your adviser in the dorm; tryouts for varsity sports; Q&A with Music dept; and ice cream social at the principal's. Day 2 was meeting on financial aid, orientation on technology and Harkness; more tryouts and auditions; and an all-school cookout. And then Friday you had one more orientation meeting before the opening assembly and classes in the afternoon. Keep in mind that the orientation schedule changes somewhat every year, but, by and large, these first two or three days give you a chance to meet other kids and a few faculty and learn some basics about the school (returning students, i.e., students who aren't new to Exeter, usually arrive the day after new students arrive).

asiankid29

Thank you!
From the website, I did read (more like watch) something about a barbecue on the day the students arrive at the school, which I think, was really good.
How much time do we usually get to set up our rooms?
I'm kind of a neat freak I guess, (It's very occasional.haha. If that makes any sense) and if I start cleaning, I will just go on and on and on and on and on...

exoveerotch

Hi PEAteacher:
I will be applying to PEA for grade 11, based on your experience, do new uppers struggle with their classes or the new environment? If so, about how long it the transitional period?

PEAteacher

Cool screen name, exoveerotch

I don't think the adjustment is particularly harder for uppers. While it's true that there are fewer new uppers than new preps or lowers, uppers are also older and generally better able to handle the adjustment. Kids are used to new students coming to the school at all four grade levels and they're generally very welcoming. As long as you make an effort to pick up Harkness and ask your teachers for help when you need it, you'll likely to be fine.

asiankid29

I have a friend who is planning on applying for her lower year. Is it harder to get in? How many students does Exeter usually accept for grades 10 - 12?

PEAteacher

Hey asiankid29, sorry I never answered your question. Actually, I probably didn't answer it because I never comment on admission or "chances." But I can say that there are a lot of new lowers every year, so your friend will be in good company.

wickedcrazy

I just want to say that this thread is enormously helpful. Thank you so much, PEAteacher, for takign the time to answer questions!