FAQ's

2010 Session:
July 4 - August 7

UPPER SCHOOL
Tuition: $6,795

Day Students:
$1,095/per course

ACCESS EXETER
Tuition: $7,095

Day Students: $4,695

Who should apply to Summer School?
What does Summer School tuition include?
Is there a deadline for applying to Summer School?
How do I apply for financial aid?
Are international students required to submit TOEFL scores?
Do I have to live on campus in order to attend Summer School?
Do I have to stay for the full five weeks?
How many hours will I be in class each week?
Do you offer sports?
How much homework should I expect?
How do I choose my UPPER SCHOOL courses?
How do I read the UPPER SCHOOL and ACCESS EXETER daily schedules?
What are the differences between the “A/B MWF” format and the “A/B TTS format”?
What are the differences between the “C/D MWF” format and the “C/D TTS format”?
May I change my courses once I am accepted to Summer School?
How many courses do day students take?
May I sign up for just the SAT Prep course?
Do you offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) program?
Where do the Summer School teachers come from?
What are the class sizes like in Summer School?
When will I have time to study and do my homework?
Will I receive grades or credit for courses taken during the Summer School?
May I bring my cell phone to Summer School?
Do I need to bring a computer to Summer School?
Will I have access to the Internet?
How will I do my laundry?
How much spending money should I bring?
Where can I buy my class supplies and books?
Are there any stores in Exeter within walking distance?
What are the dorms like?
Are there bathrooms in each dorm room?
What is included in each dorm room?
When will I know my dorm assignment?
May I request a specific dorm room or roommate?
What do I do if I need help?
May I bring a TV, refrigerator, or air conditioner for my dorm room?
What if I get sick during Summer School?
Is there a dress code for Summer School?
What is the New Hampshire weather like during the summer?
Do you offer college counseling during Summer School?
What type of food is served in the Dining Hall?
Where can I attend religious services during Summer School?
May I leave campus during my free time?
Will there be on-campus activities?

Who should apply to Summer School?
The Summer School welcomes motivated students who are interested in learning and participating in an academic enrichment program. ACCESS EXETER is for students who have completed grades 7 or 8. The UPPER SCHOOL program is for those students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11 or 12. We urge parents not to encourage their children to apply to Summer School unless the students themselves are strongly motivated to do so.

What does Summer School tuition include?
The charge for ACCESS EXETER boarding students includes tuition, room and board, the required excursion fee, and a medical insurance policy. The charge for ACCESS EXETER day students covers tuition, meals, required excursion fee, and a medical insurance policy.

The charge for UPPER SCHOOL boarding students includes tuition, room and board, and a medical insurance policy. The per course charge for UPPER SCHOOL day students covers tuition, meals, and a medical insurance policy.

The SAT Preparation course and private music lessons require additional fees.

Is there a deadline for applying to Summer School?
No. Summer School has a rolling admissions policy and we begin reviewing completed applications in late December. Typically, we mail first acceptances in January. However, there is a financial aid deadline. All students applying for financial aid must have their entire Summer School application and financial aid application materials completed and postmarked by March 1st, 2010.

Use the Application Checklist to ensure that you have submitted all of the required application pieces.

How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid the Parent’s Confidential Financial Questionnaire along with copies of 2008 or 2009 IRS 1040 forms and supporting W-2 forms must be submitted to the Summer School Office along with your completed application requirements. All of this information must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. Financial aid is awarded by the Summer School Office according to demonstrated need. Use the Application Checklist to ensure that you have submitted all of the required application pieces.

Please note: Students who have received financial aid from the Summer School in the past are not eligible to receive aid a second time. Applying for financial aid places students in a more competitive situation for admissions, we ask that students only apply for financial aid if such aid is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, our limited resources preclude us from offering financial aid to international students.

Are international students required to submit TOEFL scores?
In order to participate in the UPPER SCHOOL program, all international students must have a high level of English proficiency. Only non-native English speakers, who plan to enroll in an English course for native English speakers (i.e. any course listed under the EWS section in our catalog), need to submit a TOEFL score, the minimum scores are: 550 for the paper-based test, and 79 for the Internet-based test. International students applying to ACCESS EXETER must be fully fluent in English. We do not require TOEFL scores for students applying to ACCESS EXETER.

Do I have to live on campus in order to attend Summer School?
We have many students who attend Summer School as day students. These students live close to Exeter and travel to and from campus each day. ACCESS EXETER day students choose an academic cluster and are required to participate in a sport. UPPER SCHOOL day students may choose one, two, or three courses and are welcome to participate in sports. All day students are affiliated with a dorm, assigned an advisor, and encouraged to join in the many activities Summer School offers.

Do I have to stay for the full five weeks?
Yes. Students are required to attend the full five-week session because our seminar-based classes depend on the contributions of everyone. All students—both day and boarding—will register on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Students who leave before the official end of Summer School will not receive grades or teachers’ comments.

How many hours will I be in class each week?
Classes meet for approximately five hours per week depending on the course. Students taking three courses would have approximately fifteen hours per week in the classroom.

How much homework should I expect?
Students should expect an average of 60 minutes of homework for each class meeting.

Do you offer sports?
Summer School is an academic program with a physical education component. All ACCESS EXETER students and all UPPER SCHOOL boarding students are required to participate in Physical Education, (Physical Education is optional for UPPER SCHOOL day students). Each class meets in the afternoons four times a week. The Physical Education classes are split into two sessions giving students the opportunity to participate in two different sports.

At the start of Summer School and again mid-way through the session, students will select their physical education activity. Each year our Physical Education department offers a variety of sports.
Additionally, UPPER SCHOOL students also have the opportunity to participate in a special intensive program in crew. Those rowing in crew will participate in this sport for the entire five weeks of the session. Crew is open to a limited number of students and enrolled UPPER SCHOOL students will receive more information about this option closer to the start of Summer School.

How do I choose my UPPER SCHOOL courses?
We recommend that first you carefully read through the catalog. Most students take courses in three separate disciplines. To avoid conflicts in scheduling, pay close attention to the format(s) in which a course is offered. The formats indicate the time when the course meets so it is not possible to sign up for two courses that are in the same format. On the application, please list your course selection in order of preference. It is very important that you choose three alternate courses in order of preference as well. Due to class enrollment size it is sometimes impossible to place students in their first course choices. Applying early increases your chances of getting your first choice courses.

How do I read the UPPER SCHOOL and ACCESS EXETER daily schedules?
You can find a copy of the daily schedules on our website and in our Summer School catalog. You will notice that classes meet six days a week Monday through Saturday. The schedule is broken up into formats and these formats represent the meeting time for each course. The dining hall will be open for lunch during the C, D, and E formats on most days.

What are the differences between the “A/B MWF” format and the “A/B TTS format”?
What are the differences between the “C/D MWF” format and the “C/D TTS format”?
Courses that meet in the “A/B MWF” format meet three times a week during both the “A” and “B” period on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Courses that meet in the “A/B TTS” meet during both the “A” and “B” period on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Refer to page 7 of the catalog for the actual class times.

Courses that meet in the “C/D MWF” format meet three times a week during both the “C” and “D” period on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Courses that meet in the “C/D TTS” meet during both the “C” and “D” period on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Refer to page 7 of the catalog for the actual class times.

May I change my courses once I am accepted to Summer School?
We do our best to place students in their first course choices in order to keep changes to a minimum. Requests for course changes may be made in writing via fax or email before May 15th. We do allow some course changes at the start of Summer School but students must give compelling reasons for this requested change. All course change requests must receive the approval of the Director or the Dean of Admissions. When you complete your application, please select your first and alternate courses choice carefully. Please do not call the Summer School office to request a course change.

How many courses do day students take?
UPPER SCHOOL day students may choose one, two, or three courses. They may also enroll in the SAT Prep course (requires a separate fee) and Chorus in addition to their other courses. ACCESS EXETER day students will choose their cluster. Each cluster is comprised of three courses.

May I sign up for just the SAT Prep course?
No, UPPER SCHOOL day students must take at least one course in addition to the SAT Prep course. UPPER SCHOOL boarding students must enroll in three courses in addition to the SAT Prep course. The SAT Prep course does not count towards the three-course requirement.

Do you offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) program?
No. All students applying to Summer School must have a high level of English proficiency in order to successfully participate in our seminar-style courses.

Where do the Summer School teachers come from?
Many of our faculty members teach at Phillips Exeter Academy during the regular school year. The rest of our teachers come from around the country where they work in public, private, and independent schools, as well as colleges and universities.

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What are the class sizes like in Summer School?
Our class sizes are small, averaging between eleven to thirteen students per class.

When will I have time to study and do my homework?
There will be free time each day and evening for students to complete homework. Dorm faculty help students maintain quiet study hours in the evenings. Students may also study in the library.

Will I receive grades or credit for courses taken during the Summer School?
The Summer School does not grant credit for courses taken during the Summer Session. The courses offered during Summer School are designed for academic enrichment and are not intended to cover a full semester’s worth of content. At the end of the session students will receive grades and teachers’ comments for each of their courses. Students seeking credit for courses taken during the Summer Session will need to make arrangements with their own schools. The Summer School will only mail grades and comments to students who complete the full five weeks of Summer School.

May I bring my cell phone to Summer School?
Yes, students may bring their cell phones to Summer School. Students are expected to use proper cell phone etiquette at all times. (Cell phones must be off or on silent during all required appointments. Students must refrain from making/taking calls or texting during class and during all required appointments.)

We provide one telephone and voice mailbox per dorm room during the summer. Local calls from these phones are free; however students will need to use a calling card to make long distance calls.

Do I need to bring a computer to Summer School?
Although computers are not required, we encourage students to bring computers to Summer School if they are in a position to do so. There are several computer labs on campus that are available for students.

Will I have access to the Internet?
Internet access is available in each dorm room. Students will need to provide their own Ethernet cable for dorm connectivity. Additionally, there are a number of academic buildings on campus that have wireless Internet including the library and the Academy Center.

How will I do my laundry?
Phillips Exeter contracts a private laundry company, E&R Laundry. E&R Laundry offers a card operated dormitory washers and dryers or a wash/dry/fold laundry service. All enrolled students will receive information directly from this company before the start of the Summer Session. There are also two coin-operated Laundromats within walking distance.

How much spending money should I bring?
Spending habits vary for each student. The expenses for the Summer Session, including books, supplies, and off-campus excursions, are approximately $600. The Summer School offers an on- campus debit card system. More information about this system will be available before the start of the Session. We recommend that students use traveler’s checks rather than cash as these checks can be replaced if lost. There is an ATM machine located on campus as well as several banks within walking distance.

Where can I buy my class supplies and books?
Students may purchase their books and supplies from our Barnes and Noble bookstore. ACCESS EXETER students may purchase their books on Registration Day. UPPER SCHOOL students should wait until after their first class meeting before purchasing their textbooks.

Are there any stores in Exeter within walking distance?
Exeter is a small town with many shops and restaurants within walking distance. The campus is located in the center of town which makes it easy for students to walk downtown. Our Student Activities Office organizes bus trips to local stores and local malls throughout the summer.

What are the dorms like?
Phillips Exeter Academy has brick dormitories that accommodate 30 to 60 students each, and several smaller wood-framed houses that accommodate 7 to 16 students. Girls and boys are housed separately and rooms are designed for single, double, or triple occupancy.

Are there bathrooms in each dorm room?
No. Shared bathrooms and showers are located on each dorm floor.

What is included in each dorm room?
Each dorm room comes furnished with a bed, 2 sets of linens, blanket, pillow, dresser, desk, chair, closet or wardrobe, lamp, and wastebasket. Students are also supplied with towels and washcloths. The supplied sheets, towels and washcloths will be washed by E&R Laundry even if you do not sign up for laundry service. Students will want to bring an additional towel for use at the pool or beach.

When will I know my dorm assignment?
Students will find out their dorm assignment on Registration Day, July 4th.

May I request a specific dorm room or roommate?
Requests for a certain type of room or dorm may be made in writing and must be received by June 1st. Because we firmly believe that making new friends and getting along with all types of people are essential parts of the boarding school experience, we will not honor requests for specific roommates. You will have ample time to visit with your friends and/or family members.

What do I do if I need help?
Every dormitory has resident and affiliated dorm faculty. Dorm faculty serves as advisors to the students in their dorms, which means that an adult is always available.

May I bring a TV, refrigerator, or air conditioner for my dorm room?
No. These items, as well as any heavy electronic equipment or heat producing items, are not allowed in the dorm rooms. Students may bring a fan or purchase one in town.

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What if I get sick during Summer School?
The Lamont Health and Wellness Center is located on campus and has walk-in services available during the day. Emergency services are available at all times, with a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A physician is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well. All Summer School students are automatically enrolled in the Summer School Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. The plan offers the same coverage as the Academic year plan.

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Is there a dress code for Summer School?
While there is no formal dress code, students are expected to dress appropriately. Shorts or slacks are usually worn to class and students should refrain from wearing clothing that will be distracting to their classmates or to the task at hand. Students should also bring a light jacket, dress clothes, swimwear, athletic gear and appropriate clothing for off-campus trips. A more detailed packing list will be available before the start of the Session.

What is the New Hampshire weather like during the summer?
Summer temperatures normally range from 75-90F (24-32C) with cooler nights. Please be sure to bring a sweatshirt and raincoat as we can experience rainstorms during the summer.

Do you offer College Counseling during Summer School?
Yes. We have a College Counselor who is available to meet with students individually to discuss their options. Additionally, we hold a college fair that hosts a number of colleges and universities from across the country. We offer several college campus tours for UPPER SCHOOL students.

What type of food is served in the Dining Hall?
A variety of both hot and cold food choices are available at each meal. Vegetarian choices are always available; as well as a salad bar, sandwich bar, and pasta bar.

Where can I attend religious services during Summer School?
There are several churches within walking distance in Exeter. Evening Prayer is held twice a week in Phillips Church, located on campus. Additionally the Church offers spaces for student meditation and private prayer. Special accommodations to attend religious services held off- campus may be made during the summer.

May I leave campus during my free time?
Students are allowed to leave campus on foot and walk around the town of Exeter in their free time. We ask that students not travel alone and that they make sure an adult in their dorm knows where they are. Students must be back in their dorms before check-in time. Students are allowed to leave the town of Exeter or ride in a vehicle only if they have their Parental Permission Form completed with the appropriate permission given and if they have followed all of the Out-Of-Town procedures with the Summer School Office. Detailed information on the Out-Of-Town process will be provided before the Session begins.

Will there be on-campus activities?
Each summer the Student Activities Office schedules many fun events for students. In the past, these events have included carnivals, talent shows, dances, faculty versus student Frisbee and volleyball tournaments, and movie nights. They also organize many off-campus activities such as trips to Boston and local beaches, hikes in the White Mountains, and trips to area shopping centers, amusement parks, and museums. Off-campus trips require an additional fee to cover the cost of transportation and/or admission. Trip tickets will be sold through the Student Activities office.

If you have questions you think should be on this page, please email us at summer@exeter.edu.