On March 9th, Andover will send admission decisions to the 3,029 students who applied this year.

Jim Ventre ’79, dean of admission & financial aid

While we will celebrate the 402 students who were admitted to Phillips Academy, I would like to take a moment to recognize all the applicants who worked so tirelessly to present themselves to the admission committee. Most importantly, I would like to thank you for providing us with the opportunity to get to know you during the admission process. The comprehensive nature of what we require of you as an applicant is critical to our deep and thorough evaluation of your readiness for Phillips Academy. While the admission committee reads every application five times, the truth is we read the majority of our applications many, many more times. We have pored over your essays, your teacher recommendations, your interview reports—and we have chosen the students whom we feel are best for Andover.

To those who receive unfavorable news from us, please appreciate that we tried our best and we are sorry. Applications have merit because the students behind those applications have merit. Andover is a special place that attracts an overabundance of superb applicants, and we are grateful to all of you for giving us the chance to consider the educational possibilities on your behalf.

We thank you for applying, and we wish all of you the best of luck!

Jim Ventre ’79, interim dean of admission & director of financial aid

It is important—as you march toward the finish line in this exciting yet challenging admission process—to reflect upon why you started this journey in the first place.  What was it about the Phillips Academy experience that made you decide to take the initiative to learn more, to explore what this opportunity could mean for you?  One of the best things about Andover is that the experience is different for every student who comes to the school.  There are a multitude of paths one can take, and often our students end up discovering an interest or talent they never knew they had.

At this time, I invite you to explore this hallmark of the Andover experience by engaging in our interactive web experience, Walkabout.  This online exercise allows you to explore what YOUR ANDOVER could be through the eyes of five students who are as different from one another as is characteristic of the Andover community.  It touches upon these students’ day-to-day lives, their challenges and their triumphs, and their valuable exploration along the way.  By way of introduction, allow me to share with you some reflections from a few of our “Walkabouteers” about THEIR ANDOVER:

Alexi ’13
MY ANDOVER is fifth period, learning from one of my favorite teachers; Monday nights spent in silent study in the library; fall afternoons playing volleyball; Wednesday nights working on The Phillipian; weekend walks downtown to get breakfast and study; everyday living in a dorm with my best friends; and so much more. Andover taught me to adapt and try new things. Even though it was difficult at times, I would not trade my Andover experience for anything because it has made me smarter, more resilient, and more confident than I ever thought a teenaged me could be.

Anthony ’12
MY ANDOVER was all about pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I was purely a student-athlete prior to Andover and expected to continue focusing on those two aspects of my life there. However, once I got to PA, I realized that the culture encouraged you to try new things. Before I knew it, I was involved with the newspaper, was giving tours, and even playing the lead role in a Shakespeare play!

Supriya ’12
Andover is what I compare everything else to and has provided me with a source of strength, motivation, and experience that I constantly draw from. An Andover alum once told me that many Andover students end up finding their “thing” or defining aura, but the true beauty of MY ANDOVER was precisely the opposite: its vibrancy and dynamism allowed me to diversify my academics, extracurriculars, and personality—making me the confident and curious young adult I am today.

What will YOUR ANDOVER be?  I hope you will take a few minutes to explore and imagine all the possibilities you can think of, while saving room for those you might discover once you arrive. Check it out: walkabout.andover.edu.  Best wishes for a very happy New Year.  Have fun!

Bill Leahy P’12, ’14
Director of Admission

Each year families from around the world explore the notion of boarding school, researching schools and eventually narrowing their lists to a handful of possibilities. With deadlines approaching, as prospective students roll up their sleeves and work to complete applications, our office receives many phone calls with commonly asked questions. In the spirit of the season of giving, I wanted to share a few of our most common responses to questions about the application, interviews, and test scores:

Q: I want to apply, but the deadline is drawing near. Is there time to complete my application?
A: Yes! The process is easier than you might think. Visit our website for detailed instructions, or simply follow these three steps:

1. Submit your application online.
2. Schedule an admission interview.
3. Take the appropriate standardized test.

Q: I can’t travel to campus for an interview. What can I do?
A: Schedule an in-person or Skype interview with an Alumni Admission Representative (AAR) in your area. Interviewing off campus is by no means a disadvantage. AARs offer a unique perspective and are more than happy to share their Andover experiences with you. (schedule an off-campus interview)

Q: My SSAT results aren’t as strong as I had hoped. Should I still apply?
A: This is perhaps our most commonly asked question. Just as our admission committee would never render a decision based solely on one piece of the application, a student shouldn’t decide whether or not to apply based solely on a test score, and there is no minimum score requirement for acceptance. That said, if you wish to improve your scores, consider a second SSAT test date, or try the ISEE. Tests are offered in January and even the first week of February. Remember, we only consider your best results from each test, so be sure and include all of them with your application.

Q: What does Andover look for in prospective students?
A: Students are our most cherished asset and a major factor in your experience at a boarding school. As such, we’re conscious of and intentional about the notion of fit for a community like Andover. Every year, admission decisions are a product of the strength and makeup of that year’s pool of applicants. Although the pool differs from year to year, we can tell you that Andover students are sure to possess common characteristics: 1) They’re smart. 2) They understand it’s cool to be smart. 3) They’re extremely enthusiastic about the notion of attending Andover. 4) Andover students are impactful. They arrive on campus and take advantage of the many unique opportunities our community presents. 5) Above all else, Andover students are NICE!

If this describes you, by all means, put your best foot forward and Go For It! We want to give you every opportunity to join the Andover community.

As always, if you have questions about test scores or the application process and wish to speak to a member of the admission committee, call us at 978-749-4050.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!

Bill Leahy P’10, ’14
Director of Admission

Jim Ventre ’79, interim dean of admission & director of financial aid

At this time of Thanksgiving, we in the admission office give thanks for our dedicated alumni and parents who offer us a distinct advantage in our admission process.  It is true that admission officers work tirelessly to bring the idea of an Andover experience to students around the globe, visiting hundreds of schools and hosting dozens of Andover receptions every year to find the most talented “youth from every quarter.”  But we believe it is the work of our various dedicated volunteers, most notably our alumni and parents, who make the difference in our process.  They are our “secret weapon” time and time again, because of the connection they feel to this community and to the Andover experience.

Our alumni and parents do a great deal to invigorate our process.  We have one of the largest teams of alumni admission interviewers in the secondary school world, with approximately 730 Alumni Admission Representatives (AARs) conducting interviews in places like Seattle and Mumbai, and everywhere in between.  Our AARs offer prospective families the opportunity to learn about Andover from the perspective of someone who knows well their communities and the opportunity that lies ahead for an outstanding Andover education.  Approximately one-fifth of this year’s entering class was interviewed by our superb team of AARs. We are thankful to our amazing team of alumni interviewers.

Our current and past parents are an equally wonderful resource for prospective students and families.  We are fortunate to have a group of volunteers in our Parent Network who answer questions from prospective students and parents during the application process.  Our current and past parents are well equipped to address prospective parents’ hopes and concerns for their children as they assist them in navigating the secondary school search process.  There is simply no way Andover could reach as broadly without the commitment of our parents. We are thankful to our extraordinary parents for their dedication to Andover.

The Big Blue spirit exists far beyond the Andover campus.  We are fortunate that our alumni and parents feel so connected to the Andover experience, and grateful to them for their countless contributions.  We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!