Hi everyone! I just graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy this spring, and I wanted to say a huge thank you to the College Confidential community. When I was applying, CC was a lifeline… I learned so much about the process here, and honestly I don’t think I would’ve gotten in without all the insights and advice I found on this site.
Now that I’ve gone through the full Exeter experience, I’d love to give back. Whether you’re thinking about applying, deciding between schools, or just curious about what life is like here, I’m happy to answer any questions, be it about academics, Harkness, dorm life, traditions, sports, arts, clubs, or the college process from an Exeter perspective.
Ask me anything, and I’ll be as honest and detailed as possible!
Thank you! I’m heading to college in the Northeast this fall.
Exeter’s college counseling office was honestly great! They really helped me figure out what I wanted in a school, kept me on track with deadlines, and gave thoughtful feedback on my essays without ever making it feel like they were taking over. The college counseling team has a lot of talented counselors with a cohort of only thirty students at most, so it really felt personal. They got to know me well, understood my goals, and could give advice that actually fit who I am rather than just generic tips.
Aw that’s so exciting! Good luck with your Exeter interview tomorrow!
From my experience, the interview felt pretty chill and conversational. They asked about stuff like:
What classes or activities you like and why
A challenge you’ve faced and how you dealt with it
What you do outside of school
Why you want to go to Exeter and what you’d bring to the community
It wasn’t super formal, in my experience the interview is designed as a casual way to get to know you.
My best tips are:
Have a clear reason why you want to go to Exeter and maybe mention some specific things you’re excited about
Think of a couple stories that show who you are and how you handle stuff
Ask questions at the end to show you’re interested
The best advice I always got when applying was to just be yourself, as they want to see the real you rather than some perfect answer. I used to think that sounded super cliché, but honestly it’s so true!
