Have questions? Ask an Andover Freshmen!! - Page 2

TheTester · 10-20-2011, 08:37 PM

Extracurriculars are very important, but they aren't the end of the world. Mine were pretty weak, too - as swimdude said, put down what you're most passionate about. Put down both the swimming and the soccer - it most likely won't hurt, and the five years shows that you're not exactly a superficial person when it comes to sports.
The interviews are very good. Again, be yourself. Run over a couple of the most general questions (why do you want to come to Andover, what do you think it would offer you, how do you feel about a boarding school, etc.) but, again, don't sound scripted or forced. The interviewers are generally good at their job. It'll most likely be something like a conversation. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't be impatient either. Be confident, and go with the flow without running away with it.

swimdude006 · 10-23-2011, 02:18 PM

bumppppppppppppp

rizzledrizzle · 10-23-2011, 03:16 PM

Have you seen freshmen who you thought wouldn't have been accept, be accepted? If so, how do they adjust to Andover life?

swimdude006 · 10-24-2011, 08:51 PM

Rizzledrizzle: You have to understand that Andover isn't all what it's hyped to be. Not everyone here is good at writing, and not everyone here is good at sports. What makes this school unique is how diverse the abilities of the student body are. For instance, some student may be in math 100, but they might also be the most gifted writer and baseball player you've seen. And trust me, there are no "dumb" people here. Even the sports recruits are bright in at least one subject!

sandol1010 · 10-25-2011, 06:05 PM

Thanks! But what about the school English and Math recommendations? How do you think I should approach my teachers? E-mail maybe? I suppose it would be safer to submit my application before my interview so they can evaluate me fully????

Stuckhere · 10-25-2011, 06:28 PM

1. Are there many Canadian students?
2. How do the classes work? Like, is it harkness, or...?
3. What does the average Andover student's application look like? If you know, that is...

swimdude006 · 10-26-2011, 04:18 PM

Sandol1010: For ALL your recommendations, talk to him/her IN PERSON! this is key so you can be polite and have a good impression on them. And it doesn't really matter when you send your applications in (as long as it is before the deadline). I handed in my applications at the interview, cuz I interviewed at my schools on the very deadline, and it didn't affect the interview at all. Approach the interview as them getting to know you, and try and make yourself stand out!

Stuckhere: no, I do not know of many canadian students at the school (remember that I'm a freshman). All humanities (english, history, philosophy, religion) are all taught in a discussion format ( discussion based class=what exeter calls "harkness"), while math, science, and all other courses are taught in a typical class setting. These classes though, are not typical at all, as they are very interactive when it comes to teaching students. And every application is different. Most kids have solid academics and are pretty advanced. Ever kid stands out in the crowd though, whether they be a piano protege, sports recruit, mathlete, or model UN representative, they are all pretty unique. That's what the "hook" is for in your application. If you want to get in, then you need to define yoruself for who YOU are. Don't take up sports this year just to put it on your apps, but instead, focus on one thing that you are passionate about, and write about it in the applications

hope this helps!

ateoswim · 10-27-2011, 10:31 PM

Hi swimdude006,
I am a competitive swimmer and I am planning to apply to as a boarding student for grade 10 in 2012. I understand that the team only practices as a team for 4 months in a year, where do the swimmers train for the rest of the season? Is it possible to train at a local club nearby?
Thanks

swimdude006 · 10-27-2011, 11:09 PM

Ateoswim: 1st off, congrats on taking the first step to applying to andover! To answer your question about off season, it is very hard to actually get around to swim with local clubs cuz of the workload and study hours. I only know of one successfull boarder who is doing it because her parents now live in andover. Waterpolo is one way to stay in ahape during off season. He coaches do pretty intensive sprint sets, which keeps us in pretry good shape. There is also free swim during the week and weekend that students can go to. A bunch of swimmers go and do practices (usually gurls varsity captain holds captains practices and create sets for all the swimmers there). Some people have found that doing different sports during the year is better as it will give them a "shock" when they first swim durig season. So really, it depends on your ability to stay in shape. Whatever the case, andover will push you to as much as you can handle.

Hope this helps!

sandol1010 · 10-30-2011, 07:14 PM

The boarding schools that I'm applying to (along with Andover) are known to have rigorous academic programs...but HOW rigorous? How much time do you spend on homework and studying?

thx very very much!

swimdude006 · 10-31-2011, 11:12 PM

Sandol1010: the academics here are very rigorous, but are manageable. I get around 4 hours every day, and it is of constant work. At any top prep school, you will have to study and work hard. These past weeks have been the hardest of my life, yet i'm still loving the time. The weekdays are full of work, yet on the weekends, we can relax a lot.

Hope this helps!

98beebee · 11-01-2011, 09:56 AM

What made you choose Andover over any other school,, what makes it different? (Sorry if someone else already asked)

TheTester · 11-01-2011, 04:09 PM

@sandol1010: It depends on the day. Some days I get about two, some days I get four. Most days, it's less than four with several small breaks in between. Studying usually takes longer, but it's also more spread out unless I procrastinated and had to cram the night before. It also depends on how rigorous your course load is and the teacher you have.

@98beebee: FA. That's it. If Andover hadn't given me as much money, I'd have hightailed it to Exeter. I'd say there isn't enough of a difference between all the top boarding schools and I'd probably be just as happy at Exeter as I am at Andover.

98beebee · 11-01-2011, 07:41 PM

Oh wow, okay. Haha

Nice answer, I'm just getting these different vibes from viewbooks, other opinions, reviews, etc. Still haven't received Andover viewbook though.

Another question: what other schools did you apply to, and what were the results and why?

swimdude006 · 11-01-2011, 09:20 PM

I applied to Deerfield and Andover. I started my apps VERY late, so could not apply to more than 2 schools. I chose them because of their rigorous academics and amazing sports. Both were very different in terms of community and environment, and I could easily adjust to either one. I got accepted to both, and chose Andover because of the environment and the people there. Everyone here just seems to be happy all the time, and enjoy school. I feel the same way, and I have a feeling its going to be very hard to leave this school in 4 years