@2prepMom I’ve always heard that Andover gives a little more aid than Exeter on every CC thread and seen that when CC kids talk about their FA offers.
Am I mistaken?
The two schools are close in amount of aid given, but difficult to directly compare. How the two define “financial aid” differs, Exeter provides aid to 46.3% of students (NOT including faculty and staff children, who receive free cost of attendance) with an average award of 41,400 dollars, and no charge at all for tuition, boarding, books or computer to families with less than 75K in income. Andover appears to include faculty and staff children in the financial aid category, and also has more day students. This makes it difficult to directly compare total amounts easily, so each may feel justified claiming it gives “more”. As is typical, they are both exemplary in amounts of financial aid awarded. I would certainly not describe Exeter as less aid.
I did a little calculating from the numbers given on the school sites and found that Andover gave approx. 15% more per student, adjusted for school size and years of students included, but not adjusted for the factors you mentioned. I can see how Andover including faculty and staff childen in FA would make Andover appear to give more aid. I’m sure I’m missing several other factors, too. Thanks for clearing that up 2prepMom.
@TVelocity Okay, thanks for the info. Sorry about my assumption.
@2prepMom I spoke to Exeter’s financial aid department, and they didn’t give anymore money. Also, I have some confidence in getting into the Calculus series at Exeter (I have made my decision, thank you all for your help!), as my average in pre-calculus at my current school (which focuses heavily on problem solving) is over 100%, I have done many math competitions for the past three years, and am going to nationals for MathCounts this year.
If you are in competition math, Exeter will be a better fit for you.
Bypassing the Transition Math series as a newbie Exonian (prep) has nothing to do with confidence and everything to do with custom and practice at Exeter. Every year, a number of incoming mathletic preps at Exeter have long since graduated from mathcounts and have already achieved USAMO/USAJMO status and laudable AIME scores ( > 3 year background of problem solving and math competitions). Good luck!
In a more general answer, math at Exeter has a lot to do with the faculty, and they are the most caring, supportive and kind group of folks I have ever met (in addition to being world famous). My D came in set on math, and they did point out that competitive math is a lifestyle decision (40 plus hrs a week), and there were many other choices that students were free to make (which she did make, she did not stay in competitive math). When she wanted to try a higher level math (she was already near the top) everyone was friendly and encouraging, but she was more comfortable in the level they placed her at. When she wanted to try one level lower during a very tough semester, same supportive response. Students can also accelerate by doing extra problems at all levels. They really want students to do well and be comfortable yet challenged. There are many, many levels and tracks in math, and I kind of envy the new students starting out on this adventure. Exeter math is fun as well as simply amazing.