Phillips Academy Andover review by University of Pennsylvania student.
The school is the oldest and one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country, and its exceptional academic program has absolutely contributed to its prestige. Andover has a cornucopia of classes, allowing students to truly pursue their interests at a deeper level. The school's academics are strong across the board, with journalism classes in the English department taught by ex-reporters, math classes taught by regularly published, respected mathematicians, language classes taught by some of the first teachers to come from overseas, and economics classes taught by professors who have been investment bankers. Liberal arts classes are taught by the discursive "Harkness Method" while math and science classes are more lecture-based by nature. However, even in the math and science departments, specialized classes such as the freshman honors math seminar (Math 310) and higher level seminar courses are also discussion based and rely on a process of guided, but individual discovery of concepts. Andover also has strong arts & music programs, offering several levels of the studio arts and high level music theory and composition classes. Class sizes range from as few as 4 students in a language class to about 20 students in a popular or required history class. Faculty are accessible daily at their offices or classrooms during "Conference Period," much like college office hours, and they are always willing to explain a concept or problem. The student body is varied, intelligent, and talented but not as internationally diverse as some other prep schools. Andover does recruit for sports. The work load can be heavy but it is good preparation for a rigorous college experience and is very comfortable and manageable freshman year, lower year, and senior spring. One remnant of the 18th century boarding school tradition is its emphasis on training its students to write elegantly, communicate clearly, and speak eloquently.
The discussion of college admissions begins almost immediately upon arrival at Andover. With a complete.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania 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...
Admissions to Andover is competitive and similar to the college admissions process. The SSAT, admissions.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Phillips Academy Andover by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania 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...
Andover is situated in a very pleasant suburban New England town, and has its own security force. Social events occur regularly, and students spend a great deal of time with friends, at sports, in class, studying, doing extracurriculars, and just socializing. Dining hall food is readily available at almost any time of day, and is filling, nutritious, and quite acceptable in taste. Facilities such as the new Gelb Science Center rival those of many small colleges, and dorm rooms are comfortable. Students have "house counselors," their parents at boarding school, as well as academic advisers. Younger students also receive a great.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and University of Pennsylvania student — Login or Sign Up to access full review