Everything listed below is required for a complete application, unless otherwise noted. In addition to these materials, we require an interview.
Begin by filling out your Candidate Profile. This profile contains your basic personal information and is shared with Exeter and other schools using Gateway.
Exeter will be test optional for students applying for admission for the 2021-2022 academic year. We recognize that some applicants live in areas where required testing is not available or students may be uncomfortable taking a test at a local testing site due to health concerns related to COVID-19. We also recognize that some applicants may not be able to take an online standardized test due to a lack of home internet access. For these reasons, all applicants will have the choice of whether or not to submit standardized test results. As always, admission decisions are based on a variety of factors and students will not be penalized or advantaged by the absence or presence of standardized tests. The Admissions office will continue to apply a holistic review of all admission applications.
Students electing to submit test results with their application should refer to the testing description below:
| Standardized Testing (submit ONE) | |||||
| Applying to Grade | SSAT | ISEE | PSAT | SAT | ACT |
| 9 or 10 | X | X | |||
| 11 | X | X | X | X | X |
| 12 or PG | X | X | X | ||
School Codes: ISEE 300185; SSAT 5764; SAT 1884; TOEFL 8128
For applicants to grades 9 and 10 who choose to submit test results from the SSAT or ISEE, results may be from tests taken this year or from tests taken within the past year. Results must be sent directly to Exeter from the testing company.
For applicants to grades 11 who choose to submit test results, we will accept any of the above test scores.
For applicants to grade 12 and postgraduates who choose to submit test results, we will accept your most recent test results for the ACT, PSAT or SAT. Results can be sent as part of the official school transcript or a copy of the score report can be emailed to admit@exeter.edu.
International Students
We strongly recommend the TOEFL or IELTS for students who do not speak English as a primary language and haven’t been in an English-speaking school for the last two years. We will accept your most recent test results.
Essay Questions: We require two 200-500 word essays. Topic prompts are on Gateway.
Parent Statement: Available on Gateway.
For recommendations, you simply enter the email address of the recommender. Gateway follows up directly by sending an email with a link to the appropriate recommendation form.
Transcripts: Current and previous year transcripts (grade reports) must be sent directly from your school, in English. Please request transcripts from your school through Gateway. For additional information on transcripts and special situations, see the notes on the Gateway application page.
Principal/Counselor Recommendation: Ask for a recommendation from your current principal or guidance counselor and enter a contact email into Gateway.
English and Math Recommendations: We ask students to submit a recommendation from their current English and math teachers. While current recommendations are strongly preferred, we recognize that learning and school instruction looks different this fall and families may prefer to submit a recommendation from last year’s teachers. Only one recommendation for each subject is required.
Personal Recommendation: Ask an adult (for example, an employer, a church minister or a family friend) to write on behalf of your character and community impact.
Special Interest Recommendation (optional): Ask an adult (for example, a teacher, mentor or coach) to write about particular interests or abilities which demonstrate your passion and commitment.
Exeter is participating in the pilot of SSATB’s groundbreaking Character Skills Assessment (CSA). The CSA will help our admissions team understand the unique values that students will contribute to the Exeter community. Learn more about the CSA.