Free Resources
Free Exeter admissions resources.
Guides to every part of the process, plus a free planner sent by email.
Free resources and guides
Start with the guides parents ask for most, then get the free planner by email.
Exeter Admissions Overview
What the application includes, how testing works, and what the school asks for.
Read the guideKey Dates
The deadlines for this cycle, with a live countdown.
See the datesApplication Preparation
How to prepare each part of the application, with a week-by-week plan.
Plan preparationSchool Fit
What to weigh beyond selectivity before your student applies.
Think it throughTuition and Financial Aid
Where to find current tuition and how the aid application works.
Read about aidParent FAQ
Short answers to the questions families ask most.
Read the FAQFree Exeter Application Planner
A one-page plan with a week-by-week checklist, sent by email.
Get the plannerFree download
The Exeter Application Planner
A one-page plan for every part of the application, with a step-by-step checklist. Free, and it opens right on this page.
Your Exeter application planner
The dates and requirements that shape the year, then a plan to work through in order.
- Start
- Applicants can begin the Exeter application as early as July by submitting the Candidate Profile in Gateway to Prep Schools.
- Recommendations
- The recommendations and transcripts part of the application, requested through Gateway to Prep Schools, opens in October.
- Application due
- For the 2027-28 school year admission cycle, the application deadline is January 15.
- Testing
- Grade 9 applicants must submit the Upper Level SSAT or ISEE; applicants to grades 10 and 11 submit one of the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT; grade 12 and postgraduate applicants submit one of the PSAT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT.
- Score reports
- For grade 9 applicants, SSAT or ISEE results must be sent directly to Exeter by the testing company; Exeter will not accept test scores sent by the applicant.
- Interview
- For the 2027-28 school year, each applicant may book one interview appointment, which must be completed by January 15.
- Financial aid
- The financial aid application deadline is January 15.
- Decisions
- For the 2027-28 school year admission cycle, admission decisions are released March 10.
- 01
Submit the Candidate Profile early so the applicant portal and interview booking open for you.
- 02
Pick the SSAT or ISEE, take a full timed practice test, and register for a date that leaves room for a second sitting.
- 03
Book the interview early and prepare two or three real stories rather than scripted answers.
- 04
Ask teachers for recommendations as soon as that part of the application opens, and give them plenty of time.
- 05
Draft the student essays in the fall, revise for substance first, and keep the parent statement in the parent’s own voice.
- 06
If you are applying for aid, gather tax documents early so the aid forms do not compete with essays in January.
- 07
In early January, check that every piece shows as received, including score reports sent by the testing company.
Dates and rules can change. Check each one on the school's own admissions pages.