Phillips Academy Andover review by Stanford University student.
Andover is known for having strong programs in every discipline; a few that really stand out though are Physics, History, and Chinese. The Physics Department has a slew of extremely qualified teachers, and it was the department that prepared me best for college, both in terms of the workload and what I learned. The History Department is probably Andover's most storied, and even though I wasn't really a history person I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took in the subject. Chinese is one of many phenomenal language programs at Andover, but what really makes it stand out is the relationship the school has with schools and faculty in China. I felt extremely well-prepared going into college, mostly thanks to Andover. I worked hard while I was there, and took full advantage of every opportunity to learn, but I still had plenty of time for friends and extracurriculars. The workload was definitely more than what I've found the case to be in college, but it wasn't horrible. The most important thing Andover prepared me for was essay writing. The English department and all of the humanities departments give you great tools for writing well-reasoned essays on a variety of topics. While Andover certainly has a few exceptional programs, they don't push you into any one at all. I personally was more of a science-type, and Andover allowed me to progress in the sciences at a faster rate than others, while still giving me a very well-rounded education and instilling in me a love for a variety of topics.
The biggest question for Andover students applying to college is whether the competitive nature of.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Stanford 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...
I felt like Andover really liked to see well-rounded students apply. During my interview, the.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Phillips Academy Andover by former pupil and Stanford 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...
Housing was one of the best parts of Andover to me. I lived in a 40-person all-guys dorm all three years and considered it my second home. There was a sense of community there that hasn't been equaled for me since, and I felt like I was at least pretty good friends with everyone in the house. The food was pretty good at Andover, esepecially after they finished renovations on Commons. Every now and then a meal wouldn't be a hit, but there were always a bunch of options and finding something good usually wasn't hard. The surrounding area is.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Stanford University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review