Andover newbie - getting in & summer programs

Hi! I am a newbie here (and to the prep school admission world), so I know I am probably asking questions here that have been asked a thousand times.

I know some people are cut out for top prep schools and others aren’t. My sister and I both graduated from Andover years ago. My sister was very smart, quite interested in math and science, and I think was “a cut above.” I was a good student but didn’t come close to her. I think when I got into Andover several years later, it was partially due to my sister’s accomplishments.

I now have a daughter who I think is “a cut above.” (I know – everyone thinks that about their child – lol.) She is in the 7th grade and really wants to go to Andover, so she would be applying next year. I am just starting to think about this whole world and am hoping some of you can help me out.

Forgive me if I am sounding as if my daughter is so great. lol. I know there are many incredibly bright, talented people out there and my daughter may not even come close to them.

I am wondering:

(1) Do you think attending the Andover Summer Session helps an applicant get in? Do you know anything about it? The web site says it is 5 weeks. We live nearby, so I am wondering if my daughter can just take a class there a few hours a week, or if the kids are in school all day for 5 weeks.

(2) How does an applicant truly show they are “a cut above” some other applicants? My daughter shines MUCH more than some of the other kids in school, but I don’t know that admissions counselors would see that. For example, she is on math team and adores it. She talks about it all the time and is one of the top scorers. However, there are other kids at school who are also “on” math team, but they just show up and aren’t that good or interested in it. On an application, I think my daughter and these other students may look the same.

(3) Do you think SSAT scores show that someone is quite smart, or do some kids study for these tests and boost their scores? I ask because I think – hope :wink: – my daughter will end up with a high score and that this will differentiate her. Someone else was telling me that may not be the case, that some kids are able to inflate their scores by studying practice books and learning how the test works, making them appear smarter. Again, I am trying to differentiate my daughter.

(4) Can we reach out to the Andover sports coaches or is that a no-no? If yes, is there a certain way to do it. My daughter is athletic and on several sports travel teams so Andover coaches may be interested in that.

(5) How can an applicant improve their interview skills? My daughter’s big weak spot is that she is quiet and reserved. I think her big weakness in applying may be a lack of tooting her own horn.

(6) Lastly, can you give me any suggestions on how to increase my daughter’s chances in general? Are there any particular articles, web pages or books you’d suggest?

Thanks very much. This is all new to me and I know some people are seasoned pros at it.

Who knows what will happen. I’d just like to give my daughter her best shot.

Thanks again –

KathyAd,

All of the above. Summer Session probably the least of all. She would be better served doing something that she is passionate about in the summer. SSAT is very important, and these days, prepping for it does help. Visit the school, tour the museums and athletic facilities, meet a few students. If your daughter wants it, she will work for it, and it will happen. Definitely meet the coaches. They are also teachers. She could practice interviews. That helps a lot. Get any family friends who have been to PA to interview her. They can give her tips. Also, her shyness may just be around you. (I took my son to his PA interview (out of state), fearful that he wouldn’t present himself well. I was able to watch the interview from afar and was amazed at how animated, enthusiastic, and confident he was).

Good Luck.

They help about as much as attending Harvard Summer School helps to get into Harvard, which is too say, not at all. You need to view these summer programs for what they are - cash cows that allow an institution to make money at a time when the physical plant would otherwise be idle, but the expenses associated with such remain. Having said that, the experience that one gets from a summer program could help an applicant as far as experience gained, growth achieved, and other warm-and-fuzzy factors.

I believe classes are M-S, so there is no option to just swing by.

You attended Andover yet seem to know nothing about the school. Just saying it seems a bit odd.

Re: Summer program. I know that the head of admissions at Exeter, who interviewed us, specifically made reference to comments made by summer school teachers. It was also a topic of conversation when the principal was making calls to schools on my son’s behalf. In retrospect, I think that the positive experience my son had along with positive comments that were made helped him. I wouldn’t be dismissive about the experience and I would recommend the Andover summer program if your daughter is interested in the school.

Even if Andover summer session doesn’t play a major factor in admissions, it is a great way to further your child’s education while also allowing her to have a great time and experience the Andover campus more. I also live very close, and attending Summer session before applying. I attending classes for 2 hours every day, and also participated in some other activities. The good thing is that as a day student, you can do summer sessions but also have ample time to pursue other summer interests. Definitely a worthwhile experience if you ask me, as it truly helped solidify my interest in Andover.

As for athletics, you can definitely reach out to a coach. In fact, you can go on the Andover Athletics website, and fill out the “prospective athlete form” This will give the coaches some baseline stats, and help them determine if they want to establish further contact. As much as some people would like to deny it, a reasonably heavy amount of athletic recruiting certainly happens at Andover, especially when it comes to field hockey, ice hockey, and LAX(I only pointed out girls sports).

This information is all great. Thank you!

@Center Why? “Just saying” why?

@KathyAd Your daughter sounds pretty cool :slight_smile:

  1. I would like to reiterate that while Summer Session will help her get a feel for the place, you shouldn’t rule out other cool summer opportunities! If she goes, she will have plenty of Andover without the added summer.

  2. I included my math team involvement in my application to Andover. The school was really interested in that. My interviewer told me I was a “leader” for being the only girl on the math team at my last school. Whether it is by including her math prizes or accomplishments, talking about her love for math in her interview, or mentioning it in her essay, your daughter can surely set herself apart from a more casual math team member.

  3. It might be worth getting those practice books, just in case. I bet your daughter will do well on her SSAT either way, but being comfortable with the test format can go a long way. Plus, if she does not score well on the practice tests, it will be good to know beforehand so you can see what you want to do about it.

I’m saying this, but I actually didn’t even crack open my practice book, and my mom yelled at me for wasting money.

  1. Reach out for sure. Absolutely not a “no-no”. Andover loves sports people.

  2. My house counselor is in PA admissions, and she was talking about this. She said that the interviewers understand that some students are quieter or more reserved than other and that they don’t want to lose a great addition to the school because they have those qualities. Encourage your daughter to be open and to toot her own horn a bit (I said “My friend told me to tell you that I am the only girl on the math team”, which was true. I wouldn’t have said it if she didn’t tell me, too, and thank goodness I did.), but I wouldn’t be too worried.

  3. Be sincere. It seems like you and your daughter are, but I want to note this especially: honest passion is something this school values deeply.

Summer session is a huge waste of money. Many of the teachers are also not regular faculty members, they are hired guns for the summer. Do something more meaningful like community service or work to make some money to pay for tuition.