Returning Sophmore at Andover willing to answer questions!! - Page 3

swimdude006 · 10-22-2012, 11:30 PM

pascale5678: I have a simple philosophy on BS applications. Apply to the schools you can see yourself attending, regardless of its exclusivity or acceptance rate. Andover is hard to get in, but it is all the worth to apply. I didn't think I'd get into any prep school! I knew I would've had to hand in all my materials way past the deadline in order for the AOs to see my application, but I carried through with the process anyway. That decision led me to be a current PA student. Hey, you never know how it will work out!

swimdude006 · 10-22-2012, 11:33 PM

rajriarup: We only train during the winter season. Assuming you're a guy, many kids do cross country running, waterpolo, or crew in order to keep in shape. I personally do water polo because we do incorperate swim sets into the practice in order to be agile and mobile throughout the fall and winter. During the spring, I manage another team, and swim with one of the local clubs in Andover. Even though we are only a seasonal sport, the PA swim program is in the top 20 programs in the country, which shows how hard and effective our training is.

Exeterlover · 10-23-2012, 05:09 PM

What did you get on your SSAT?

swimdude006 · 10-24-2012, 12:38 AM

Math: 99 percentile
English: 99 percentile
Verbal: 75 percentile

overall: 93 percentile

DistantDreamer · 10-24-2012, 05:07 PM

My teacher told me she went to PA for high school. Does anyone know what PA was like 15 years ago in terms of tuition and the competitiveness of admission?

Exeterlover · 10-24-2012, 05:54 PM

What did you write your essay about?

swimdude006 · 10-25-2012, 12:06 AM

I wrote my essay on overcoming a difficult obstacle, and then using what I learned to help others do the same.

twinshk2 · 10-27-2012, 08:09 PM

Regarding this, would it be possible for you to chance me?Chances of getting into any top Boarding Schools?( Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, etc.)

isitfridayyet · 11-01-2012, 10:37 AM

Did you always want to go to BS? Trying to decide BS over good private school....

bsroxmysox · 11-02-2012, 06:18 PM

Going back to your earlier response, I'm in a magnet program in a public high school that I got accepted to, but I'm applying for PA among others because I feel like I can be even more challenged. Would it be safer to apply as a repeat freshman and get the full experience plus not having to catch up with my peers, or apply as a sophomore where everybody knows each other, but we will be the same age?

J24601J · 11-03-2012, 11:55 AM

It depends on your age. If you're fairly young for your grade, I'd recommend applying as a repeat freshman. If you're old for your grade, I'd apply as a new sophomore.

Coming in a new lower (sophomore) is a lot harder than coming in as a freshman. However, I wouldn't want to miss out on this experience just because it's more difficult. You should definitely apply.

bsroxmysox · 11-03-2012, 12:56 PM

I'm definetly applying, but I'm the same age as all my peers (except for the ones who started at an early age or went to kindergarten a year later), so I feel it would be weird to go in as a freshman where everyone is 14 and I'm already 15, only because I don't want to be overwhelmed sophomore year while all the other sophomore's know each other and the schedule and to overcome the boarding school obstacles. :/

J24601J · 11-03-2012, 09:44 PM

In that case, you should definitely apply as a new lower. It is so so so so worth it. You will make friends with some returning students, and that makes life a lot easier.

PM me if you have any questions about being a new lower. I can also go more in depth about the transition.

stayhungrystayfo · 11-04-2012, 06:43 PM

Hi I'm applying this year and am a little worried. Since I am an international student I'm wondering whether there is a division of some sort between locals and internationals?
Thankss

swimdude006 · 11-05-2012, 06:04 PM

Sorry for not being on in a while guys! have been focusing on my tests (it's cramming time at PA right now!)

stayhungrystayfo: There is absolutely no division between locals and international students. Yes, there will be some ties between students that already know eachother, but most people aren't presented with those ties. Students assimilate into groups, regardless of one's location. My room mate, and one of my best friends, is an international student from Korea! PA is a very caring and open environment that anyone can find a friend in.