Phillips Academy Andover review by Princeton University student.
I found all of the programs to be extremely strong across the board. I fluctuated a lot between sciences and humanities in my time at Andover, and the course selection was more than adequate in all arenas. At Andover, courses are arranged so that freshmen and sophomores (or juniors and lowers as we call them) have very little course selection, with upperclassmen having more selection and ability to specializze which I found to be an excellent method. Class sizes were perfect, with most averaging around 12. My teachers were outstanding, almost without exception.
College counseling begans at Andover in the junior year. Advisors created realistic lists for students,.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Princeton 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...
The admissions process was pretty typical of New England prep schools. I am pretty sure.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Phillips Academy Andover by former pupil and Princeton 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...
At Andover, all freshman are placed in freshman dorms, while all upperclassmen are housed together. This is a great system, as it helps ease younger students into dorm life and being away from home without being immediately forced to live with 18 year olds who could be intimidating. Also the house counselors in all the dorms really loved their jobs (as both dorm heads and teachers) and it was great having them around. The school's approach to discipline was perfect. As it was a high school, not a college, sign in times were strictly enforced in the dorms, but I.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Princeton University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review