<p>Like I said before you have ‘Exeter’ written all over you. With your panache, you can probably communicate your d zeal for mathematics and physics to them and they may very likely will let you in and find some money for you. </p>
<p>Since I have no clue as to whether you need money or not, it is hard to narrow down your list. Money is a factor at all these places and no, they are not need blind but need aware.</p>
<p>By the way did you check out that theoretical physics link I posted. The compiler, Prof. 't Hoofd, is a Nobel prize winner and working through some of those on line math programmes should wow the people at Exeter. I don’t know whether at your age you’d be up for the Feynman Lectures ( which you can still get). This is a world famous set of lectures delivered by Richard Feynman for 1st year Caltech students back in the Paleozoic when I was young and like you keen on physics.</p>
<p>Indeed, I spent a few hours yesterday searching through the website you gave me trying to figure out a few things. Certainly stimulating indeed! If only existed a bright starry night, alone upon a hill, sorrounded by oppurtunities that is Exeter; I would forever ponder the enigma of physics…</p>
<p>Anyway, my financial situation is a bit tight. My father makes Low - Mid 100Ks, but that is gross income. We are a family of four in which my mother does not work. We restrict our budget. However, we live in a fairly large house - result of saving up from years. To top it off, every few years we must spend a few thousand dollars in order to visit our foreign relatives. Often, we are found in a position where family overseas are in a much tighter situation and we aid them financially… In general, it there is a limit approaching zero (:p) in my case that I would be able to afford upwards of $35,000 + a year.</p>
<p>I would suggest you go to the hotchkiss site and run through their parental contribution calculation which is fairly straight forward. That will be about the ballpark what your family contribution will be expected to be at Exeter also. Talk with your dad if he can live with that. If he cannot, for practical purposes forget Exeter and look for a straight up merit scholarship somewhere else. In my view for what it is worth, you have a reasonable chance of getting in at Exeter if you play the game straight up and tell them you can afford approximately what the family contribution calculator says you can afford. If you plead special hardship, they have heard them all before, their eyes will glaze over and throw your application back into the tank.</p>
<p>Right now, we would fit into $21,324 range, as of Hotchkiss’s website.
The tuition, room, and boarding fees from Exeter about $34,500. This leaves about $13,100 dollars of parental contribution. The total for three years would be $39,300.
Doesn’t seem so bleak now. :)</p>
<p>I tried applying for financial aid too and E/a said they are hesitant to give it to people who don’t have both parents working. Before the interviews, I might try and find an answer to a question about that. </p>
<p>I would suggest Andover/Exeter/Lawrenceville. These are all larger schools, which will be able to offer a greater depth of options in individual departments (such as math). Mercersburg is a quality school, but not in the same league as the previous three schools, although it is always smart to have a safety school.</p>
<p>I would maybe add Peddie and let it go at that. Lawrenceville is a very good choice although they may not have enough money for you. Peddie certainly would.</p>
<p>So four schools: Exeter, Andover, Lawrenceville, and Peddie as reaches, and Mercersburg as my ‘safety’. Seems pretty good. </p>
<p>Exeter’s applications will open in ‘Mid-September’, but I’ll start working on the essay and ask my English teacher (she’s genius) for help. I will request material from Andover, Lawrenceville, Peddie, and M’burg. Peddie looks like an excellent choice.
Thank you all for you help. Don’t be surprised if I ask again during the admissions process :p</p>
<p>Tell them why YOU want to go to Exeter. Have you found out about their math team and USAMO coach? have you explored their physics department? Are you going to talk to these people when you visit? Do yourself a favour and throw in an application to Mathcamp for next summer.</p>
<p>I love Exeter. How does one willingly seperate himself from his love?
Yes, I have explored many of their departments. They have sooo many courses!
Is there a set amount of courses that you can take, or is there just a limit and you can shove everything in?
Yes, I have also recently heard about Zuming Feng. I believe he is the Math Team coach and he lead the team to USAMO! :eek:</p>
<p>I will apply to SSP and Mathcamp for this summer - how do I include that in my apps? Do I just tell them that I will be applying?</p>
