Opening up a new thread for this year since the old one got closed. We just wrapped up finals for winter term at Exeter and I’ve been following along the 2025 freakout thread. I’m so proud of y’all. I remember all the turmoil and stress preceding M10.
Just remember guys whether you get in or not does NOT define your ‘worth’ or ‘intelligence.’ As someone who has been on both sides of it now (learning abt admissions through the tour guide program) who gets accepted or not can be real biased so don’t take it too personally.
Congrats for even making it this far and sticking it out. That’s some strength right there.
Excited to welcome the new students in to Exeter 
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Perfect timing, thank you!
Any pros or cons you could share? What is mandatory in terms of class scheduling like PE? Any discord or chat groups to join and connect with other students?
Is the workload at exeter extremely challenging? Plus does the size of the school make anyone feel isolated or anything like that?. And finally are you happy you chose exeter after being there for a while?
got into exeter!! the only one i gto into lmao i got waitlist from andover groton deerfield n choate… but for exeter the price is still pretty steep even w fa but i rlly rlly love the school
do you prefer harkness over lecture-based teaching? are you satisfied w ur decision to choose exeter? tysmm for ur post 
Hi!! I’m also a current Exeter student and happy to answer questions. In terms of the workload, it is definitely an adjustment. For me, a typical day can look like school from 8am-5pm, doing work from 5-6, grabbing dinner 6-7, clubs 7-8, then work 8-11/8-12. Keep in mind that the amount of work you have is extremely dependent on your teachers/courses. If you are in a 400 level history course, expect around an hour more of work than if you were in something like a 200 compsci. Overall though, the work is manageable, and you get used to it. The size of the school does the opposite of isolation for me. The fact that there were so many people meant that there were so many opportunities to find friends/find your people. And there really are people for everyone, no matter your interests. I’m very happy I chose Exeter. I love the people, I appreciate the culture, and I feel like I’ve become a completely different person. That being said, Exeter is not for everyone. Closely consider how you would cope in a competitive environment. How you would cope with five hours of homework. Is this the high school experience you want? You have to decide that for yourself.
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yes! just to add on, if someone were to have sports or pe in winter they are built into the school schedule and for the fall/spring im fairly sure they are just after school. the schedule uses blocks so it gets a little complicated but it makes sense once you go through the day.
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Thank you sharing! My daughter was accepted to Exeter. Can you help with the following questions?
-How long is each class?
-How many classes per day?
-How be long are the breaks for conference, lunch etc. during the school day?
-Is everyone expected to do some sort of sports after classes?
-do you have Saturday classes?
-is there a chasm socially between day students and boarding students? How are they integrated?
-Would you recommend Exeter to someone who is focused on humanities?
Hi, another Exeter student here. Congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance! Each class is 50-60 minutes, depending on the block. Students generally have 4-5 academic classes per day. Some classes will meet on a ‘reserve’ format, meaning that they meet one extra block per week. Universal free periods are usually around 40 minutes long, although some are longer/shorter, and lunch is 50 minutes. A form of athletic activity or theater is required for most terms here - many students will take a PE class that meets thrice a week while others will play an interscholastic sport. Saturday classes are extremely rare and short, only occurring when weekday classes are not held. The administrative body seems to be phasing these classes out. Sociality between day and boarding students varies, but many day students participate in all social activities except those late at night. Day students have a dedicated room with lockers to socialize, but are also affiliated with dorms (which they are allowed to sleep over at). I’m focused on humanities myself, and have found that Exeter’s humanities courses are challenging and well built. The English curriculum is slightly constraining, as students aren’t allowed to choose their English course until their senior winter, but I still highly recommend Exeter for humanities. We have some pretty outstanding teachers, and Harkness is an amazing tool for learning.
I would completely agree on Exeter for humanities. I also think our history courses are some of the best in the nation, and the level of instruction is excellent.
Pros: The opportunities, classes are enriching, grill, town is nice, the library ofc, and the people. Cons: burnout (but if you find the help you can deal with it- CAPS, advisors, people are there for you.) Also the food can be meh but again you can deal and there are always other options.
PE you have to complete 9 term credits as an incoming prep. And for preps you have to take a pe or sport every term (it’s pretty fun- the 9th grade pe program allows you to try bits of everything) and we’re in trimesters so that’s three terms of physical activity, unless you have medical excuse of course. That’s already 3 term credits of pe done and past prep year you can choose to choice format which just means to not take pe/a sport for one term given that you’re doing a pe/sport the two other terms. You can find all of this in the COI the courses of instruction btw! https://exeter.edu/app/uploads/2025/02/PEA-COI-24-25-Web_2.27.25.pdf
As for discords and group chats you can follow the class of 2029 insta to join a gc with other new incoming students (it’s not just for class of 2029) and from there if you ask around people will invite you to join communities on platforms like snap and discord.
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Thank you! How are the dorms?
Dorms can vary in facilities and community, but I’d say most students are happy with their dorms (we live in the same dorm for our entire time at Exeter). Some dorms haven’t been renovated in years, others were built very recently. There are a few dorms that are said to be worse, but generally the administration does a good job at assigning dorms and roommates based on a student’s interests. There are also a few ‘houses’, or small dorms with a familial/inclusive feel. All dorms have a common room to socialize and most have somewhat of a kitchen.
personally I got a nearly perfect dorm community and roommate for my personality! They ask for a preference of dorm size and roommate before the year begins. Preps usually get a single room with a roommate, and get the privilege of a larger single in the following years. We are also allowed to transfer dorms at the end of the year if a student is unhappy - this is pretty rare.
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When I first came to Exeter I’m ngl Harkness was really hard for me (I despised it which lowk defeated the point of going to Exeter now that I look back.) But what really helped was talking with my advisor and then talking to the teachers to get them to understand that I was struggling. The community really helped me to transition into these difficult classes and now I couldn’t imagine going back!! Harkness has honestly helped me grow in sooo many ways like public speaking, social intelligence, or even maturity. Atp I definitely prefer it over lecture style.
I’m overall really satisfied with my decision to choose Exeter fs!! There are times where I look back with regret thinking “I should’ve chose another school or stayed in my public school district.” Mainly times of homesickness or frustration from a mediocre grade lmao. But as much as everyone likes to say Exeter is a pressure cooker it only is if you let it. I’ve honestly alr learned so much in my first couple terms here and ik there r many more lessons to come!! Harkness and the community especially makes it worth it imo. On the topic of community, i feel like there’s a misconception that Exeter students are very “one for oneself” esque and I was really scared of that when I was going into the first term but honestly there are so so many genuine and kind people here that are willing to help out, and it’s heartwarming!! People love greeting eachother on the paths and smiling at strangers. Remember AO’s also admit off of these sort of wholesome characters that add to the community!
Oh and by the way if ur an incoming prep dont worry too much abt classes. Prep fall you get a pass/fail term meaning class grades are only shown as pass or fail on your transcripts and preps are really eased into the Exeter environment. Even now I only really have 2-3 hours of homework a day. It’s most definitely gonna get harder (as reiterated by the other posters!!) but I feel like I’m easing into it and I’ll be able to handle it.
tysm for all this! also, is burnout very common for students?
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hi! to put it bluntly, yes i think so. that being said, there are going to be times when you feel burnt out no matter what school you go to. it’s all about pacing yourself. i’ve talked to seniors who say they feel super burnt out, and i’ve talked to seniors who say they want to do another four years. i recommend you check out the exonian, our school newspaper, as i think someone may have just published an op-ed sort of on these lines?
A few questions if you do not mind-
Do you need both PE and theater/band/orchestra?
It sounds like there is an option to take PEC094: PEP FIT(probably for marching bands?) or PEC110: ADVANCED MUSIC PRACTICE instead of PE credit. How do music students schedule PE, and music lessons and also play in orchestra/band?
Do you have to take courses to be eligible for the Symphony Orchestra/band?
What exactly happens in Instrumental Auditions?
Hello! I have a few questions as an incoming prep:
How do they exactly determine your roommate?
What classes do you recommend I take for my first year?
Is it better to do a sport in the Fall or not do one since it’ll be my first term?
For the placement test, should I prepare for it?
I don’t personally take orchestra/theater but I do have friends that do so and basically PE is built into the day’s schedule so it uses a block (some ensembles I think use free blocks) but orchestra is usually after the school day so taking PE shouldn’t interfere with it and you do still have to take PE if you do orchestra (unless it’s a double credit or something.) You should definitely ask these questions at the upcoming Q&A sessions for incoming students!
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- You’re sent a survey in which they ask you what size dorm you prefer, your hobbies/extracurriculars, and how you currently live (night owl/early bird and messy/clean.)
- For classes DEFINITELY take history for your fall term elective unless you’re super super set on taking something else. I really liked my HIS202 class; it was basically just anthropology. I also really liked my art class too!! (Drawing and painting- but don’t take it during pass/fail) Comp sci I’ve been told is very easy as well- again don’t take during fall term pass fail.
- If you want to do the sport, try it out!! Remember prep fall is pass/fail so that the new students can integrate into life easier. Please have fun your prep fall
try new things. - Don’t prepare for the placement test PLEASE. If u do and get placed into a really really hard course you’d just make it harder on yourself and harder to get that A (placement doesn’t matter as much as grading- everything is unweighted.) And no, this isn’t a slacker mentality, it’s a SURVIVOR mentality like u do not wanna be caught sobbing over 40x math homework at 3 am in the morning just because you studied and placed yourself into that class
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Thank you so much for the advice! 
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