Phillips Exeter Academy

学习资源/Learning Resources 初中/Middle Schooler
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:school: Phillips Exeter Academy Overview

:round_pushpin: Basic Information

  • Location: 20 Main St, Exeter, New Hampshire
  • Founded: 1781 (6th oldest US boarding school)
  • Grades: 9–12 (plus postgraduate year)
  • Enrollment: ~1,100 students (≈80% boarding, 20% day)
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: ~6:1; average class size ≈12

:money_bag: Tuition & Financial Aid (2024–25)

  • Boarding Tuition: $69,537
  • Day Tuition: $54,312
  • Books & Supplies Fee: ~$900
  • Financial Aid:
    • Need-blind admission; meets 100% of demonstrated need
    • ~45% of students receive aid; average grant: boarding ~$56,135; day ~$37,770
    • Families earning ≤ $125,000 pay no tuition

:chart_increasing: Admissions & Selectivity

  • Acceptance Rate: ~14–18%, with some fluctuations
  • Application Deadline: January 15 (ISEE/SSAT, interview required)

:brain: Academics & Programs

  • Offers 450+ courses and 40+ global programs
  • Utilizes the Harkness method: student-led, discussion-based learning
  • Average SAT: ~1470; ACT: ~33
  • Graduates go on to top universities: Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.

:white_check_mark: Pros of Exeter

  1. Academic Excellence & Variety
  • Rigorous curriculum, small classes, and diverse course offerings
  1. Highly Qualified Faculty
  • Over 200 faculty, many with advanced degrees; low student-to-teacher ratio
  1. Need-Blind, Generous Aid
  • Makes Exeter accessible to families across income levels
  1. Innovative Harkness Learning
  • Promotes critical thinking and discussion skills
  1. Vibrant Extracurricular Life
  • 22 sports, 62 teams, dozens of clubs and performing arts options
  1. Strong Diversity & Global Perspective
  • Students from 45 states and 37 countries; ~57% students of color
  1. Renowned Alumni & Prestige
  • Historic library, institutional legacy, and network

:cross_mark: Cons of Exeter

  1. Very Selective Admissions
  • Acceptance rate as low as 10–14%; high bar to entry
  1. High Tuition Cost Without Aid
  • Top-tier costs for non-aid families, though institutional aid offsets this
  1. Intense Academic & Social Pressure
  • Competitive environment; may be stressful for some students
  1. Large School Size
  • ~1,100 students; community feel may be less intimate than smaller boarding schools
  1. Heavy STEM/Academics Emphasis
  • Less focus on arts compared to some schools; many students drawn to STEM/academics

:memo: Summary

Phillips Exeter Academy delivers a world-class prep school experience with extensive academic offerings, generous financial aid, and deep traditions. Its Harkness method, diverse student body, and institution-wide excellence make it a top choice. However, its selectivity, cost, and intense atmosphere may not suit every learner.