Experience Exeter Hosts Prospective Students
Prospective students gathered on campus last week to shadow current students for a day during the annual Experience Exeter. These newly accepted students interacted with community members to learn about Exeter life before finalizing their decision, which was due last Sunday, April 10. For the 2016-2017 school year, the admissions office accepted 397 students, tallying a 16.6 percent acceptance rate from a pool of 2,388 applicants. Out of those 397 accepted students, 290 students have enrolled for next year: 219 boarding and 71 day students, resulting in a yield of a high 73 percent.
Head of Admissions Michael Gary shared the goals of this year’s admission process, many of which were accomplished. “Our enrollment plan was to enroll 298 new students but not over enroll in the boarding category, keep the class of 2017 to a reasonable size and enroll the largest number of day students in 14 years.”
Despite recent rumors surrounding a growing acceptance rate, Gary reported that the acceptance rate decreased a total of 2.5 percentage points from last year’s 19 percent acceptance rate. On target with the original goal to keep the prep class to 181 students, next year’s prep class will have 169 students. Additionally, the Class of 2017, a historically large class, will gain only 22 new seniors.
“Nothing was faked to make Exeter look any different from what it actually is.”
Gary also said that they strived to maintain diversity among the admitted students. “20 percent of the enrolled students are either African American, Latino or Native American,” he said. The new students represent 13 countries and 33 states.
In addition to cultural diversity, admissions looked for a multitude of qualities, especially those that fit the intellectual and non sibi atmosphere of Exeter. “We try to shape the class . . . we’re always looking for kids who can not only do the work but also contribute to the community.”
Overall, the numbers matched up with admissions’ goals for the 2016-2017 school year. “We successfully executed the plan, thanks to my staff and students’ help with meeting and greeting prospective families throughout the season,” Gary said.
Following last year’s issue regarding emergency room assignments, this year’s admission rates, Dean of Residential Life AJ Cosgrove said, will call for less emergency rooms. “Of course, if the boarding enrollment is smaller than last year, fewer emergency rooms will be used. The word ‘emergency’ is flawed as many of these spaces are more than adequate,” he said.
In addition to the admission yield, the week of Experience Exeter itself was a success. Each morning, Experience Exeter began with a student panel, where admitted students and parents had the opportunity to ask current students any lingering questions.
The panel had approximately 10 students each day, which allowed for prospective students to hear many different perspectives.
Upper Jesus Rivera, who was randomly selected to be on the panel, said, “One of the most important things to do is be willing to talk to people from all over the world, because that’s available at the Academy.”
Several incoming preps remarked that the day played a crucial role in their decisions to enroll at Exeter, providing them a fully interactive program, directly contrasting the online tours and forums typically available.
Grace Carrol, an incoming prep from California, noted the Harkness method as an aspect that solidified her decision to attend. “I’ve heard a lot about Harkness discussions and classes, but I had to see them in action to really understand what was so wonderful about the Harkness method.” Carrol added that she really enjoyed shadowing a student and being included at the Harkness table, an aspect of Exeter which she is especially looking forward to.
For incoming prep Gabbi Allen, it made all the difference; it convinced her and her brother to enroll officially. “I didn’t remember too much from my interview, so I really had no idea what to expect. Without Experience Exeter, my brother and I probably would not have chosen to come to Exeter.”
Like Allen, incoming prep Jamie Lowell said she fell in love with Exeter. “Nothing was faked to make Exeter look any different from what it actually is. [Experience Exeter] definitely did make me want to come here more even though I’m already committed to Exeter.”
Gary was highly satisfied with the week. “I thank all the students and also my colleagues who were very welcoming in terms of allowing visitors to their classes. It can be awfully disruptive to have so many families for the whole week attending classes, asking questions. They have all been very welcoming, so [it was] very successful,” Gary said.
Christopher Lee ’88, parent of incoming prep Annabel Lee, expressed how fortunate and excited he was to give his daughter such an amazing opportunity. “[I’m] excited, although a little bit anxious with her going so far away from home for the first time, but just extremely happy and excited. She’s going to have a world of opportunity when she comes to Exeter,” Lee said.
Contributions from Andrew Hong