How to Get Into Phillips Exeter Academy

Application

Exeter uses an online application portal called Gateway to Prep Schools.

Applicants will need to submit the following materials before January 15, 2024:

• Candidate Profile on Gateway to Prep Schools
• Application Fee:
  
  • $50 for Domestic Students
  • $100 for International Students
  • Exeter does provide a fee waiver for Gateway. Please contact the school to inquire about a fee waiver.
• Transcripts from current and previous year:
  
  • Transcripts/grade reports should include the first marking period (quarter, trimester, or semester) of the current year.
  • Transcripts must be translated to English.
• Two application essays:
  
  • Each essay should be between 200 and 500 words.
  • Prompts are provided in the Exeter Applicant Portal.
• Parent/guardian statement
• Letters of Recommendation:
  
  • Current English teacher recommendation
  • Current math teacher recommendation
  • Principal or counselor recommendation
  • Personal recommendation from an adult, such as a family friend or employer, who can speak to your character.
  • Special interest recommendation (optional) from an adult, such as a mentor, teacher, or coach, who can speak to your particular interests, talents, and passions.
• Admissions test scores (required):
  
  • SSAT or ISEE for students applying to grade 9 or 10
  • SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT for students applying to grade 11
  • SAT or ACT for students applying to grade 12 or to the postgraduate program
• Character Skills Assessment (Optional)
• International Students:
  
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test encouraged for students whose primary language is not English or who have not attended a school for the past two years where the primary language of instruction is English.

Please visit Exeter’s admissions page for more information about application requirements and deadlines.

Admissions Interview

Admissions interviews are required for all candidates, and can be scheduled on the Exeter website. Online and in-person appointments are available.  All interviews must be completed by January 31, 2024.

The interview is an integral part of the admissions process. This is your opportunity to show the school who you are as a person beyond your application and to articulate why you would be a good fit for Exeter.

It is important to prepare for your interview so that you can put your best foot forward and stand out from the crowd of other exceptional applicants. The Test Innovators Interview Prep course will help you develop your interviewing skills, prepare common interview questions, and learn how to present yourself as a strong candidate.

You should also take time to research Exeter’s unique offerings before your interview. Explore the course catalog and find specific classes that interest you. Familiarize yourself with the Harkness Method and be prepared to discuss how it would fit with your learning style. Look for student clubs, athletic teams, and performance ensembles that align with your current interests or that seem like something you would like to pursue.

Please visit Exeter’s admission interview page for the most up-to-date interview information and deadlines.

Admissions Events

Attending admissions events is a great way to get to know the school better and to demonstrate interest. This fall, Exeter is hosting a number of virtual events and webinars, including live guided virtual tours, financial aid information sessions, and conversations with the Dean of Enrollment. Please visit the Exeter admissions events page to view and register for upcoming events.

Exeter has also resumed on-campus visits for prospective students. Please visit the Exeter Campus Visit calendar for more information.

Admissions Tests

Admissions testing is required this year.  All candidates must submit scores from tests taken no earlier than August 1, 2022. Exeter accepts the following tests by grade level:

• SSAT: Students applying to the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade can submit SSAT scores from tests taken no earlier than January 15, 2022
  
  • Check out our SSAT Prep Guide to learn more about the SSAT.
• ISEE: Students applying to the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade can submit ISEE scores from tests taken no earlier January 15, 2022
  
  • Check out our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about the ISEE.
• PSAT: Students applying to the 11th or 12th grade or as postgraduates can submit their most recent PSAT scores.
• SAT: Students applying to the 11th or 12th grade or as postgraduates can submit their most recent SAT scores.
• PreACT: Students applying to the 11th or 12th grade or as postgraduates can submit their most recent PreACT scores.
• ACT: Students applying to the 11th or 12th grade or as postgraduates can submit their most recent SAT scores.

International applicants for whom English is not their primary language or who have not attended a school where English is the primary language of instruction are encouraged to submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.

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 awards $25 Million in financial assistance grants every year. Overall, 49% of the student body receives some level of financial support, and families who earn less than $75,000/year pay $0 tuition.

U.S. Residents

Financial aid applications are due on January 31, 2024. Applications are submitted and processed through the Clarity platform. The fee to submit your financial aid application is $60.

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 an official income/asset statement for 2022. 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 translate the copy before submitting. 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 must apply for the boarding school program.

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

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 over a hundred student clubs at Exeter, catering to a wide range of interests. These clubs include everything from the historic Daniel Webster Debate Society founded in 1807 to performing arts ensembles focusing on dance, theater, and music. Whether you are into baking or badminton, surfing or Super Smash Brothers, cheerleading or chess— or all of the above — Exeter has something for you.

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 ACT
• Learn more about Phillips Exeter Academy