A Complete Guide to Applying to Phillips Exeter Academy From a Former Student

How I Made It To My Dream School–Exeter 

My dreams of attending Phillips Exeter Academy began in middle school when I first discovered it had a seemingly infinite library, filled with wooden reading books and spectacular spiraling staircases. As a serious student from a young age, who had been placed in advanced classes, I was drawn to Exeter’s commitment to learning–it made school seem like an honorable, lofty institution that was shaping the brightest young minds of tomorrow. At Exeter, I imagined no one would tease me for reading at lunch or caring about my grades. So, I made up my mind and set my sights firmly on Phillips Exeter Academy. 

Through my own admissions planning, I decided to achieve the best grades and highest scores I could, while also continuing to improve at my passions–writing, music, and theater. I diligently completed my school homework, trying to go above and beyond my teachers’ expectations by not only respecting their materials but engaging with them actively. After school, I immersed myself in the performing arts, taking as many music and theater lessons as I could. To prepare for the SSAT, I nagged at my mom to buy me study guides and created my own studying plan, including reviewing at least 50 vocabulary words a day, even if it meant studying into the night. 

While my admissions journey was mainly self-motivated, it took the support and knowledge of my parents and a beloved English teacher to help me reach my goal. At times, my goal seemed impossible–but with the right combination of hard work, preparation, and sincere curiosity, I earned my own spot at Exeter. I hope to share a few tips on how you, too, can attend this esteemed school and community of driven and intelligent scholars and leaders. 

Who Are Strong Candidates for Phillips Exeter? 

The best candidates for Phillips Exeter Academy are students who display a strong commitment to learning and active involvement in their community. When I arrived at Exeter, I was incredibly intimidated by my peers; however, with time, I realized they were just as nerdy and ambitious as I was. I bonded quickly with classmates over our favorite books, music, and plays. I found that intellectual interests weren’t strange–they were highly encouraged. I had never met so many independent thinkers or proactive students at my past school. Not only were my peers the 2 brightest in their classes, but they also had distinct talents or passion projects. I truly felt that I was meeting some of the brightest, most active, and most generous students I would ever meet.

 To become an Exonian, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 and SSAT scores above the 90th percentile. Rather than listing many random skills or talents, students are encouraged to develop a standout strength, for example, placing in USAMO or evidence of strong writing or performance skills, depending on a student’s preferences.

How to Get Into Phillips Exeter Academy?‍

For the process itself, Exeter uses the Gateway to Prep Schools Portal for all admissions materials and documents. The deadline for admissions each year is January 15th, followed by the deadline for financial aid on January 30th. Exeter recommends beginning the process in July and divides their admissions into three parts, listed below. 

For Part 1, beginning in July, students should create a candidate profile on the Gateway to Prep Schools Portal. Exeter also recommends that parents and family schedule a tour and the admissions interview, which must be completed by January 31. 

For Part 2, in September, students should begin the parent statement and start the essays listed in the portal. Financial aid forms can be filled out via the Clarity platform. 

For Part 3, around October-December, students can submit their three letters of recommendation; current and previous year transcripts should also be requested around this time. The letters of rec are very important–I worked hard to build strong personal relationships with my teacher so that when the time came, I felt proud of the work I had accomplished with them. My English teacher, whom I was closest to, provided the strongest letter

Admissions Materials 

Overall, the admissions process requires the following materials:
● Transcripts, including the current and previous year’s
● SSAT scores
● Letters of recommendation from a current principal of guidance counselor, current English and math teacher; and a character and community impact statement from an adult
● Parent statement
● Student essays
● Financial aid forms

Writing Strong Application Essays for Phillips Exeter 

Students must submit two essay questions, ranging from 200-400 words. They encourage students to provide details on the breadth of their personality and beliefs. Previous questions have included:
1. Tell us about something you learned on your own.
2. Tell us about your neighborhood and how it has shaped you.
3. Describe a moment when you felt challenged, successful, or overwhelmed, and how you handled it.
4. Write on a topic or activity about which you are passionate.

I remember feeling very worried about the essays. I sat in front of my computer monitor and stared at my blank Word document for hours. Eventually, I decided that while I would plan my essays as much as I could, I needed to show the officers who I was, beyond my grades. I imagined writing to an esteemed peer–someone whom I admired and respected, but was not afraid of. I showed off my intellectual and personal strengths, but balanced them with strong narrative details and hooks to keep the reader’s attention.

Overall, the student essays are a chance to display your character and personality, beyond the letters of recommendation of test scores. A passion for learning, community involvement, and growth, as well as a value of leadership, integrity, and dedication, will go far in these essays. 

Preparing for the Interview ‍

Exeter also requires an interview, which can be completed in person or virtually. Questions generally cover a student’s academic and personal interests, including recent favorite books, any hobbies, and what drew a student to apply to Exeter. Overall, rather than serving as a serious interrogation, the interview is a special chance for students to explain their intellectual and personal interests, values, and ideas. Applicants are encouraged to fully engage and to share as much about themselves as possible. 4 

When I attended my interview, I planned out my outfit weeks in advance–a simple black skirt, white top, and a nice blazer jacket. My mother drove me to the admissions office, a modest white New England-style home, and I sat on a comfy leather chair for a few minutes until an older teacher called me into the office. We spoke for about 45 minutes about my life–anything and everything that interested me. More than an interview, it felt like a conversation with a potential future mentor.

Financial Aid and Tuition 

Since 2008, Exeter’s admissions process has become completely need-blind, meaning a family’s financial circumstances do not play a role in admission decisions. Exeter also guarantees to meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need. Families making less than $125k pay no tuition, while middle- and upper-income families also receive generous support. 

This generosity in financial aid means that Exeter supports many students in attending. On campus, this results in a broad diversity in social classes, with Exonians coming from all countries, backgrounds, and walks of life. Personally, as the daughter of a single mother, I attended on a full scholarship, and was later introduced to the donors who made my attendance possible. Exeter’s generosity is evident in every aspect of student life–from the overflowing dining halls, to the new facilities, to the guidance counselors and advisors featured in each dormitory. I feel incredibly grateful that Exeter offered me support in making my dream come true.

Is Phillips Exeter Academy the Right Choice for You? 

When I opened my admissions letter to Phillips Exeter, it completely changed my life. Becoming an Exonian taught me that a love of learning and a desire to help others is the foundation for greatness, more than merely striving for a perfect grade. I met teachers who changed my understanding of the power of literature, history, and knowledge. Thanks to Exeter, I developed a reverence and respect for education, and I hope to pay forward this kindness and goodness wherever I go next. As you navigate your own admissions journey, I encourage you to, while keeping all of the practical aspects in mind, also remember to keep dreaming. Why do you dream about learning in a community like Exeter? And what will you do with this dream, should you have the chance to attend? Good luck!

FAQs

‍How hard is it to get into Phillips Exeter?‍

As one of the top boarding schools in the US, its acceptance rate ranges between 14-18% yearly.  Admission is highly competitive and requires planning extracurriculars, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and SSAT test scores ahead of the school’s January 15th deadline.

How many people from Phillips Exeter go to Harvard?

For its matriculation, about 20 Exeter students attend Harvard each year, placing it among the most represented high schools at Harvard. Students consistently attend top 30 schools, including Princeton, MIT, Yale, Stanford, and more. Exonians are assigned guidance counselors throughout their school years who help guide

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