The Exeter Shock
By LUKE CHON ‘28, RAY LI ‘28, and AMERSON LIANG ‘28
For many Exonians, March 10 signifies accomplishment: the day in which preparatory school applicants worldwide were first informed of decisions that, ultimately, would extend out to shape the course of their high school careers. Admissions Day brought closure to months of application revisions, essay drafts, and long nights leading up to this moment. For us, as members of the Exeter student body, our acceptances into the Academy were met with a sense of triumph, pride, and relief. However, five weeks into the 2024-25 school year, and, coinciding with the release of midterm grades, our initial impressions of life here on-campus have been cemented in stone. How do the expectations of the applicant differ with the experiences we forged firsthand?
Heading into PEA with little foreknowledge of the Exeter community aside from the things we garnered and researched online, most of our presumptions of the Academy were largely predicated off the positives. Administrators praised the institution. Student testimonials touted the Harkness pedagogy. Campus maps and videos highlighted the exceptionality of Exeter’s wide-ranging resources and facilities. For the average applicant, this exposure to Exeter from the funnel of the digital realm certainly crafts a sunny idea as to what Exeter is all about. Campus tours, in-house events, and other promotional activities disentangled this image, but the scope is still fairly limited, with little to explain the more niche details while a hefty stream of online threads imposed the common stereotype of all Exeter students as “nerds” and “workaholics” firmly into our heads. March 10th, albeit a day of celebration, also marked an immense decision of its own. Admittance into Exeter would symbolize a transition into what, for many, would be the greatest academic and social challenge faced thus far.
Yet, half a trimester into the school year and we, as new students of the prep class, have reflected on the realizations formed differentiating our preliminary assumptions from the confronted realities — a breakdown consisting of various surprises. Things like the homework load and academic competition were fully expected and proved to be true: not only is the Harkness method a relatively novel pedagogy to adapt and work around, but the homework and depth of discussion had significantly upscaled the roles entailed with a seat at the Harkness table. Gone are the days of catching a few minutes of shut-eye during class, replaced by academic standards that, although advertised and made wholly clear prior to our enrollment, was nevertheless a big wake up call.
Beyond Harkness, the privileges and freedom granted at PEA were another “Exeter Shock,” one that contrasted considerably with our conjured ideations. The amount of free time during weekends and the after hours of classes was almost “uncomfortable,” and a difficult concept to grapple with. Contrary to traditional schooling, the dorm culture here at Exeter and the independence tagged along with living away from family was an unfamiliar sensation, one that aroused greater issues: homesickness, concerns of missing out on things happening on campus, and struggles to assimilate into a consistent friend group and an effective work schedule. In a way, the residential lifestyle, coupled with the double-edged sword of attending school on such a grand expanse of a campus, has spun a series of questions on how to spend one’s time in the best way possible.
Nevertheless, the Exeter experience so far has been a positive and memorable ride. Though anchored by the fatigue of the physical and mental load, Exeter’s dual priorities in both academic excellence and social dynamics has been an equally significant ‘shock’ to work around. Five weeks into our fledgling years at Exeter and life at PEA has been amalgamated with the fun and the dull, where it slowly begins to settle that, like many stereotypes, the outlook animating the Academy as an institution solely dedicated to papers and tests is deeply deceptive. As preps, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the many social events organized by Exeter administrators, faculty, students, and more. Whether that be under the dim glare of the all-school Glo Dance or hyped up football outings, the social vibrancy has been a stark contradiction and a shock to savor.
In the end, Exeter has been bountiful in surprises, and our early glances have been dotted with answered questions and realized understandings. Ultimately, though, the high emphasis placed on student life, enjoyed concurrently with academic enrichment, has been the greatest takeaway of all.