How to Get Into Phillips Exeter Academy

Financial Aid Application

Exeter has a need-blind admissions policy and a commitment to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of every admitted student. Exeter provides more than $30 million in financial assistance grants every year. Overall, 49% of the student body receives some level of financial support, and beginning with admission in 2027, accepted students whose families earn less than $150,000/year may qualify for tuition-free attendance, provided they meet Exeter’s eligibility requirements

U.S. Residents

Financial aid applications are due on January 15, 2027. Applications are submitted and processed through the Clarity platform. The fee to submit your financial aid application is $65.

Please refer to Exeter’s financial aid page for the most up-to-date information, as well as detailed instructions on how to submit your application through Clarity.

Non-U.S. Residents

If you are a non-U.S. resident, you will still submit your financial aid application through the Clarity platform. If your family lives outside of the U.S. and does not file U.S. tax documents, you will need to submit official income and tax documentation for 2025. This can include a foreign tax return and/or an official wage statement from your employer. If your tax information is not in English, please submit the original document along with an officially translated copy. The supporting documents mentioned above should be uploaded directly into Clarity.

For the most up-to-date information about financial aid requirements and deadlines, please visit Exeter’s financial aid page.

Day vs Boarding

When applying to Exeter, candidates must indicate whether they are applying for the day school program or the boarding school program.

Students who live in the following areas must apply for the day school program:

• Massachusetts: Amesbury and Salisbury
• New Hampshire:Brentwood, Durham, E. Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Rye, Seabrook, South Hampton, and Stratham

Students who live in the following areas may choose to apply for either the day school program or the boarding school program:

• Massachusetts: Beverly, Beverly Farms, Boxford, Byfield, Danvers, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Merrimac, Merrimacport, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, South Hamilton, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury
• New Hampshire: Atkinson, Auburn, Barrington, Bedford, Bow, Candia, Chester, Danville, Deerfield, Derry, Dover, Fremont, East Barrington, Hampstead, Hooksett, Lee, Madbury, Manchester, New Castle, Northwood, Nottingham, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Salem, Sandown, Somersworth, and South Hooksett
• Maine: Berwick, Cape Neddick, Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick, York, and York Harbor

Students who live outside these areas generally apply for the boarding school program. Day students participate fully in campus activities and can eat meals in the dining halls, spend weekends in the dorms, and participate in the same campus life as boarding students.

Arts, Athletics, & Extracurricular Activities

In addition to stellar academics, Exeter offers an impressive variety of arts and athletic programs and extracurricular activities. Check out these offerings to discover programs that interest you and that you can discuss in your interview and application essays.

Arts

Exeter offers extensive opportunities for creativity and artistic expression. Students can take a variety of courses in music, theater, dance, filmmaking, writing, and visual arts. Students have the opportunity to showcase their work outside of the classroom through performance ensembles, gallery exhibitions, student publications, and other creative activities.

Exeter’s performing arts programs include ensembles, theater productions, dance courses and performances, and student-led arts organizations. The school’s visual arts program combines traditional techniques with newer technologies, while the Lamont Gallery features exhibitions by students and professional artists.

Please visit the Arts at Exeter Page for more information about academic and extracurricular arts opportunities.

Athletics
Candidates who are interested in competing with Exeter’s athletic teams should submit the Prospective Athlete Form.

Exeter has teams for the following sports:

For more information about the athletic program, teams, and facilities, please visit Athletics at Exeter.

Extracurricular Activities

There are nearly 200 student-led clubs and organizations at Exeter, catering to a wide range of interests. These clubs include everything from the historic Daniel Webster Debate Society to performing arts groups focusing on dance, theater, and music. Whether you are into baking or badminton, surfing or robotics, cheerleading or chess—or all of the above—Exeter has something for you. Students can also create new clubs based on their interests, with student organizations spanning areas such as art, science, technology, community service, outdoor activities, journalism, and cultural interests.

Conclusion

Applying to selective schools like Phillips Exeter Academy can be complex and challenging. However, proper preparation will give you the best chance of success. Preparation can help you achieve higher test scores, write excellent application essays, and ace the interview. Test Innovators is here to help you prepare for every step of the process.

Preparation Resources:

• Enroll in Admissions Assist
• Start preparing for the SSAT
• Start preparing for the ISEE
• Start preparing for the PSAT, SAT, and the ACT test
• Learn more about Phillips Exeter Academy