Frequently Asked Questions

How are college counselors assigned? When does the college process begin?

My child would like to attend SYA (School Year Abroad) or Milton Mountain School. How will this affect his/her college process?

When will my child take the PSAT and how are the scores evaluated?

When should my child take standardized tests? How does my child register for these tests?

How should my child prepare for the SAT's, ACT's or AP exams? Does the Academy offer tutoring for standardized tests?

How important are AP exams? How many, and when should my child take AP exams?

How can I best prepare, or begin to prepare, for the financial commitments of college?

How important is my student's academic program? How will my child know which courses to take?

My child works very hard in the classroom but is having difficulty staying focused and organized; could my child have a learning disability?

How can my child best utilize his/her summers? Should my child go to summer school?

What if my child has been involved in a discipline case at Exeter? Will this infraction be reported to colleges?

What if my child has taken a medical (or other) leave of absence? How is this reported to colleges?

Where do PEA graduates go to college?

My child is an athlete. When will the athletic recruiting process begin? What should we expect?

How does the college process differ for international students?

How are college counselors assigned? When does the college process begin?

The college process begins in earnest in January of the upper year, when students are randomly assigned a college counselor.

My child would like to attend SYA (School Year Abroad) or Milton Mountain School. How will this affect his/her college process?

Student interest should be at the heart of a decision to spend a year (or term) away from the Academy. When the student is genuinely interested in a program, and when parents, teachers, the adviser, etc. also sense an appropriate match, such programs can be a wonderful learning experience.

Colleges appreciate diverse educational experiences and a year (or term) away can demonstrate a student's commitment to learning and willingness to try new things. Participation can also impact a student’s curricular choices at the Academy. For example, some programs do not offer science courses with full lab facilities. Most students find there isn’t a “right or wrong” answer when considering an educational program away from the Academy. But taking an inventory of interests and ensuring the program is a good match are important factors in creating a successful educational experience.

When will my child take the PSAT and how are the scores evaluated?

At Exeter, it is customary for lowers and uppers to take the PSAT. Far from elevating students' anxiety about standardized tests, taking the PSAT for practice seems to ease students into the college process with greater understanding and preparation. Scores from the eleventh grade may qualify a student for entry into the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The PSAT Score Report serves as a tool for students to identify their proficiency in verbal reasoning, writing and math problem-solving skills; thus, students can work to improve these skills before taking the SAT.

When should my child take standardized tests? How does my child register for these tests?

Most competitive colleges require the SAT I and two to three SAT II Subject Tests and many colleges want test scores from the eleventh and twelfth grade years. We encourage students to take the SAT I in March or May of upper year and again, if necessary, in October or December of senior year. We encourage students to take the SAT II's in May or June of upper year and again, if necessary, in November of senior year. Additional SAT II's may be taken in January of senior year, if required.

The SAT's are administered at Exeter High School and the Academy provides transportation to/from the test. Students may register online at College Board.

The ACT may be used at many colleges as a substitute for the SAT I. The ACT is administered at local high schools and the Academy provides transportation to/from the test in October and December. Students may register online at ACT.

Students for whom English is a second language may also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language.) The paper-based test is administered on campus in October and students may register in the College Counseling Office. The internet-based test is administered at Sylvan Learning Center in Portsmouth, NH, and transportation can be arranged. Students may register online at ETS.

More detailed information about standardized testing and the appropriate testing schedule is available in the College Counseling Guidebook (Chapter One: Standardized Testing.)

How should my child prepare for the SAT's, ACT's or AP exams? Does the Academy offer tutoring for standardized tests?

There are numerous resources available to students as they prepare for standardized tests, and we strongly encourage students to develop a plan for independent test prep and practice. At the beginning of winter term, Uppers receive access to College Board's Official SAT Online Course™, a personalized online test preparation program, featuring lessons and quizzes, essay scoring and official practice tests. In addition, the College Counseling Office offers two SAT Workshops to supplement the online course. The workshops provide an overview of the SAT, highlight common problems Exonians face on the test and suggest various tips and strategies. In addition, books of complete practice tests are available in both the College Counseling Office and the Exeter Library.

How important are AP exams? How many, and when should my child take AP exams?

Colleges do not expect our students to take AP exams because Exeter does not teach to the AP curriculum. However, we do encourage students to take AP exams if they plan to apply to foreign universities (e.g. Oxford or Cambridge.)

How can I best prepare, or begin to prepare, for the financial commitments of college?

It may be helpful to determine your potential eligibility for college financial aid by visiting such web sites as FinAid or College Board. At these sites, you are able to enter a few important figures with regard to income and assets and receive an estimated figure indicating what your family may be expected to contribute that may aid in planning.

You and your student may also begin to explore local, state, regional, and national scholarship programs. Local newspapers, your local high school, and such scholarship search engines as FastWeb may be helpful in your search. The College Counseling Office also maintains scholarship files, both online and in a file cabinet in the office. Many colleges offer merit aid to talented students who are at the top of their applicant pool.

How important is my student's academic program? How will my child know which courses to take?

Students should choose an academic program that is manageable, yet challenges them to do their best. They should also communicate regularly with both their teachers and academic adviser to ensure they are placed appropriately within each academic discipline. While colleges value a demanding academic program, they also consider a student’s background, abilities and extra curricular commitments when evaluating students for admission.

My child works very hard in the classroom but is having difficulty staying focused and organized; could my child have a learning disability?

If your child has undergone some form of neuro-educational assessment, prior to entering or while attending the Academy, and has documentation, you should share this documentation with the Dean of Academic Affairs. If you suspect that your child might be exhibiting some traits compatible with the presence of a learning difference, please discuss the matter with your child's adviser; one of the counselors at the Health Center; the Academy physician; and/or the Dean of Academic Affairs. Students with a diagnosed learning difference may qualify for a testing accommodation (i.e. extended time, large print test booklet) on the SAT, AP and/or ACT exams. Guidelines and directions for applying are available online.

How can my child best utilize his/her summers? Should my child go to summer school?

How students spend their summers can depend on many factors. Some students thrive on year-round challenge and they gain energy from summer educational experiences. Others need time with family and friends to rejuvenate and prepare for the coming year. Still others must work to help pay for daily expenses. Colleges value each of these options and do not have a preference for any one. If the student finds meaning in a summer experience—regardless of the activity—then colleges are likely to value it as well.

What if my child has been involved in a discipline case at Exeter? Will this infraction be reported to colleges?

Increasingly, colleges are asking questions of both the student and the college counselor about disciplinary infractions. For more information on the reporting of discipline to colleges, please refer to The E Book (pages 2 - 8.)

What if my child has taken a medical (or other) leave of absence? How is this reported to colleges?

By Academy policy, when a student takes a medical leave from Exeter, the student’s transcript reflects the change in status. In most cases, college admission officers will ask questions about such leaves of absence. It is the practice of the College Counseling Office to indicate that the medical leave has occurred and to encourage the student to discuss the leave and the reasons behind it with each college directly. For more information, please refer to The E Book (page 53.)

Where do PEA graduates go to college?

The goal of the college counseling processes is to help students choose schools appropriate to their interests, where they can build upon the educational foundation of their years at the Academy. Exeter graduates attend a wide array of selective colleges and universities; for a snapshot of where Exonians matriculated last year, please refer to the 2005 - 2007 College Matriculation List (page 4.)

My child is an athlete. When will the athletic recruiting process begin? What should we expect?

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, you become a “prospective student-athlete” when you start ninth-grade. You become a “recruited prospective student-athlete” if any coach or representative of the college’s athletics department approaches you (or your family) about enrolling and participating in athletics at that college. The NCAA enforces very specific compliance guidelines and recruiting regulations for athletes and coaches. Please refer to the NCAA web site for more information. For a more in-depth recruiting timeline, please refer to the College Counseling Guidebook (Chapter Seven: Specific Applicants.)

How does the college process differ for international students?

It is important to determine how each of your respective colleges defines an "international student." Some students are defined by citizenship, while others are defined by foreign educational experience. If you are an illegal alien in the United States, or currently hold a student (F-1) visa, you will be considered an international student by most colleges. Most colleges ask international students who are not native English speakers to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL. The College Counseling Office recommends students take the TOEFL in the summer between their upper and senior year and/or in the fall of their senior year. Exeter offers the paper-based version of the TOEFL; however, the internet-based version is available at test sites in the United States and internationally. U.S. citizens, dual citizens with the United States, and permanent residents are all eligible for federal financial aid dollars should they qualify. This is not true for most international students; however, a number of colleges and universities offer some financial assistance for international undergraduate students. The International Student Handbook of U.S. Colleges, published by the College Board, provides a list of average aid awards given to international students at a wide range of colleges and universities. For more information about the college process for international students, please refer to the College Counseling Guidebook (Chapter Seven: Specific Applicants.)