I’ve Read Dozens of Applications from Exeter. Here’s What’s Important.
When I was reading applications as an admissions officer, a file from Phillips Exeter Academy always got my full attention—not because of its prestige but because of what I knew would be true: this student had access to one of the most rigorous high school curricula in the country.
Parents often assume that attending Exeter gives students a leg up. And in many ways it does. But the reality is a little more complicated.
When admissions officers see Exeter on the application header, the bar gets raised a little higher. They read your file with the school profile in one hand and a mental leaderboard of past Exeter applicants in the other.
Let’s talk about what that means for you.
The Phillips Exeter Academy Ranking: What Niche Says vs. What AOs See
On Niche, Exeter earns:
- #1 Best Private High School in New Hampshire
- A+ in Academics, Teachers, College Prep, and Diversity
- 4.38 average student rating out of 5
By public perception, it’s one of the most competitive boarding schools in the world. Exeter students go on to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and MIT in large numbers.
Admissions officers aren’t pulling up Niche when they read applications, though.
What matters to AOs is how you’ve performed within the context of Exeter, and that’s defined by the school profile.
What Exeter’s School Profile Reveals to Admissions Officers
Read the 2024–25 School Profile here →
Here’s what stands out to admissions readers evaluating Exeter applicants:
Curriculum Rigor
- No AP courses—because Exeter’s own courses are more rigorous. Over 57% of classes are first-year college level or beyond.
- 600- and 700-level courses are equivalent to college major-level study.
- Students can pursue independent research (SRP 400) or even design their own advanced field classes (999).
GPA and Grades
- No class rank reported.
- Unweighted GPA only, and some courses use pass/no-pass grading (especially 9th grade).
- Trimester schedule with no mid-year grades.
Since there’s no class rank to help sort students, especially those with 4.0 unweighted GPAs, AOs rely heavily on:
- Course selection (Did this student pursue the most rigorous path?)
- Year-over-year comparisons to other Exeter students.
Student Body Context
- 1,106 students; 57% students of color; 45% receive financial aid.
- Students come from 44 states and 42 countries.
- College matriculation includes ≥10 students per year to places like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, MIT, and Brown.
AOs expect students from Exeter to be self-driven, intellectually curious, and resilient in the face of challenge.
How Admissions Officers Read Exeter Applicants
Here’s what happens when you submit your application:
First, the “School Group”
At selective schools, applications from Exeter are read alongside each other. This is called the school group. Here’s how it works:
- GPA sort: Even though Exeter doesn’t report rank, AOs sort applicants using GPA and course rigor to estimate class standing.
- Rigor check: Students who don’t take high-level 600/700 classes or avoid SRPs may fall behind more ambitious peers and not move on to the next stage of application review.
- Historical benchmarking: AOs compare this year’s applicants to standout admits from past cycles.
In committee, it’s common to hear questions like:
- “Is she one of the top Exeter students we’ve seen?”
- “Is this stronger than that one student we admitted from Exeter last year?”
- “Has this student used Exeter’s resources as fully as our other admits?”
Strategic Takeaways for Exeter Families
If You're Considering Exeter
- Exeter is best suited to students who are intrinsically motivated, excited by challenge, and prepared for intellectual independence.
- Students who thrive here are ready to hold their own at a Harkness table and seek out ways to deepen their impact outside of it.
If You’re Already at Exeter
What sets you apart is how well you’ve used what Exeter offers.
- Lean into academic rigor. Take 600-level courses. Pursue an SRP. Design a 999 course. These show initiative and intellectual curiosity.
- Stand out in your school group. Find ways to positively impact your community while finding a distinct academic identity.
- Tell your story well. Your essays need to show how Exeter’s environment shaped you, not just how impressive it was.
Final Word
Exeter opens a thousand doors—but only if you know how to walk through them. Let us help your student rise to that level. We’ve been in the room where the decisions happen. Book a 1:1 consult with a former admissions officer here.