“Academically, Exeter can’t compare to school at home. I was drawn to Exeter from the beginning because of the Harkness method. Reading about it, it just clicked. I was so drawn to it, and it made so much sense. All my friends go to public school, and it’s a huge stretch from that. The people here are much more engaged academically than the people at home. The system at Exeter really forces you to grow to love learning.
“When you arrive there’s a transition period into the classes, but your teachers really help you through the transition, and it’s not out of this world. I definitely can’t say I’m a straight ‘A’ student anymore, but it’s not killing me because the number of straight ‘A’ students is so incredibly small.
“I find most of my classes are fun. The teachers really engage you, and there’s so much energy with the students in the classroom. The teachers are really willing to help you grow not only as a student but as a person. They’re awesome in class and awesome outside of class. They’re so willing to get to know you. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a meal with a teacher and talk about things outside of school. The teachers aren’t just dedicated to what they teach; they’re dedicated to the students. They’re just incredible – they’re also brilliant.
“Everyone here has something special about them. Being around other students has helped me appreciate my own gifts.
“It’s about growing. People aren’t going to admire you if you always get straight ‘A’s—there’s nothing really exciting about that. It’s exciting to see someone start with a struggle and show them overcome and grow. I have a refreshing perspective that I couldn’t have had had I not gone here. The diversity has really shaped the way I look at things, and that’s something I couldn’t have learned at home.”
– Yujhan, senior
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