Phillips Academy Andover review by Columbia University student.
Coming to Andover definitely pushed me academically. Though there were only a few classes required to graduate, most students went through a typical course structure graduating having taken an AP Math, AP Science, 3rd year language. Courses have a lot of variety (especially in the English Department), and students are encouraged to explore their interests and each department definitely will accomodate needs of an advanced student either through independent research or specialized seminars. Students usually take 5 courses. The school definitely focused on seminar-esque classes the typical class size being from 7-15 students. Most days had a "conference" period which is a school wide period when faculty too are free for extra help. Faculty is extremely accessible and helpful to students. In addition, there are peer tutors but on personal experience the best help came from my friends. Work load is tough, but manageable. Likely to see people breezing through Andover and people who complain about work.
College counseling was helpful but could be better. Each student is chooses and encouraged to.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Columbia University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
Admission interview required, high SSAT score (international student), seeks well rounded students but also stand.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Phillips Academy Andover by former pupil and Columbia University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
Everyone is so happy there! Dorms are divided into "clusters" which work like the houses in Harry Potter. Schools approach was liberal in some sense , but also restrictive (the "parietal" system - room visits). Discipline was definitely fair but anyone dealing drugs were kicked out and it's not uncommon for the odd scandal. ... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Columbia University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review