Phillips Academy Andover review by Yale University student.
Andover is mainly known for it's academic reputation. Firstly, every department is extremely strong, and offer many advanced classes in each subject. You can take organic chemistry, multivariable calculus, international relations, and perform college-level biology research if you'd like. That's rare at a high school. It's a very collegial student body, but of course some competition. But Andover does not have that vibe. In order to do well, you realize you have to work together with your classmates. I think one of the jewels of Andover is the writing. Coming to Andover, you might believe you know how to write a paper, but Andover will completely re-work your writing style to help you become a better writer. From that, you can function in any collegiate/professional environment (a diplomat talked about his time at Andover did exactly that for him). Most of the work at Andover is a great deal not because of just the amount of work, but also the quality of the work. Andover really strives for their students to THINK. It's not busy work like you did previously. It's difficult, but I was grateful at the end of my time at Andover for that type of training. What can I say? Andover is the best when it comes to academics in general. The school really focuses on discussion, because they want you to learn from your peers. I think that's something that's really hit home. A lot of people realize that when you go to college, your greatest asset for college and beyond are your peers. At Andover, you learn a lot from class and from your peers. Math and Science, however, are more straightfoward lectures. Class size is about 1 teacher:15 students. Faculty live with you, so they are extremely accessible, and they want their students to talk to them and ask questions. You wouldn't be getting the most out of the talented faculty if you didn't. My house counselor had a white board in his office and would teach us concepts at 10 PM for calculus the next morning. That's how accessible they are. The work load is about 25-30 hours per week, more during project/research paper time. It's a great deal of work, in addition to the fact that it's not busy work. You'll spend most of your time studying at Andover (if you are a diligent student, that is). It's through things like this that helps Andover students learn early in their lives the value of time-management.
Andover is known for its ability to send students to selective colleges and Universities. .... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Yale 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 personally was admitted as a new junior, which accepts about 25 students from 200.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Phillips Academy Andover by former pupil and Yale 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...
Andover is in the city of Andover, MA. It's a primarily middle/upper class white town. It can be somewhat uncomfortable for minority students, but the community on campus is wonderful, in addition to the closeness of Boston. Crime & Safety. It's an extremely safe place to live. I can't stress that enough. Students feel so comfortable during the nighttime to walk into town and buy groceries/go to dinner, etc. Downtown (or Down the Hill) are restaurants, banks, stores, etc. Everything a student needs. Pastoral support: There is one doctor that.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Phillips Academy Andover as experienced by former pupil and Yale University student — Login or Sign Up to access full review