Academy Admits Class of 2027
A prospective student poses for a photo during Experience Exeter. Courtesy of @phillipsexeter
By AMY LIN and FORREST ZENG
On March 10, the Academy released admission decisions for all students who applied to Exeter during 2022-2023. This year, 16% of applicants were admitted across all classes. The admitted students include students of the incoming prep class of 2027.
The admission rate this past year was slightly higher than last year. Dean of Enrollment Bill Leahy said, “This year, we admitted approximately 16% of our applicants. That admit rate was slightly higher than last year and is similar to admit rates experienced by Exeter prior to the pandemic.” He attributed it to the increase in applicants during the pandemic. “Like most of our peer schools, Exeter saw an increase in applications during the pandemic over the past two years. We are as always incredibly fortunate to have a remarkable group of students applying from around the world with a rich range of perspectives, experiences, interests, and backgrounds.”
In addition to a return to pre-pandemic levels of applicants, this year was also the second year since the need-blind policy on financial aid was implemented. The policy ensures that during admission decisions, a student’s request for financial aid is not considered during the selection process. “Because of the need-blind commitment, our job was made easier because no student was denied admission due to their financial circumstances,” Leahy said. “It is an incredibly powerful reflection of the mission and values of the school.”
After years of complications in the application processes on account of the pandemic, students found it refreshing to be able to visit the campus freely and interact with the community at Exeter. Incoming lower Truman Yee said, “Visiting and interviewing in person was a nice change from the year before.”
Students described their moments of acceptance as ones of elation. Incoming prep Melody Ma said, “I was over the moon. I was super excited because it means that I get to go to my dream school.”
The application process was interesting for many. Ma said, “I feel like I got to know myself better throughout the process. It revealed my strengths and my weaknesses.”
After being admitted, students’ first steps will be to begin enrollment at Exeter. Many students might face decisions between multiple schools to which they applied. For Yee, the decision was easy. “Looking at the course of studies, seeing so many options was very nice,” Yee said.
“What really stood out to me was how friendly the people were,” Ma said.
“On my tour, we were walking down the street, and all the people in the cars waved at us. I remember that we walked into Phillips hall, and there was a teacher who was walking out of her classroom, but she saw us and turned back to reopen her door and gave me a little tour of her classroom.”
Many incoming students will be coming to Experience Exeter, where new students shadow a current student for a day. Head tour guide senior Tucker Gibbs said, “This is the first full-capacity version since 2019. Students will join and they will be paired with people with similar interests. They will shadow them from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on those days.”
Current students have found themselves creating online communities to welcome admitted students. Prep Enya Yu said, “I like helping people and talking to the new kids, answering their questions.”
“After March 10 when I was accepted, I found an Instagram account for the class of 2027 at Exeter,” Ma said. “They added me to a group chat and I also found their Discord server. I’ve already connected with some new students that are going to Exeter.”
Leahy said, “For students who are still trying to decide, I urge them to reflect on the people at Exeter because it is the students and adults who will have the greatest impact on your daily experience.”
“If you are on the line about committing to Exeter, think about the opportunities you’d like to have,” Gibbs said. “Very few schools have these sorts of resources, opportunities, et cetera. In very few places you get such an engaged community of scholars and athletes. It really makes such a great experience.”
