@CCMystic
First of all, Congrats! an impressive feat.
My daughter is a senior at Andover. If you’d like to inbox me with questions, I’d be happy to answer. I personally have a love/hate relationship with the school but I totally respect the academics and the opportunities. My daughter’s best friend in middle school went to Exeter and there is an interesting dynamic between the 2 schools. The current headmaster of Andover is an Exeter grad and vice versa. The students have a terrific time each year on Andover-Exeter day, and for the most part have a healthy happy relationship. My daughter once said that she plans to send her kids to Andover. I asked if any other bs would be acceptable, and she replied, I suppose Exeter. Ha! Should her kids be so fortunate…Milton is also wonderful, but as people have suggested they have the largest day student population. Additionally, they have a k-8 program so many of those students continue on in high school whereas everyone is new at Andover & Exeter. Andover has the next highest percentage of day students. Some folks don’t like this; I found it an advantage because my daughter had opportunities to escape campus to the refuge of a safe happy home.
I agree with other posters that it will become immediately self-evident where your daughter belongs. The cultures are different. Andover does not really have a dress code for most occasions which I think is a shame. (no denim or slovenly attire) Andover does not use the Harkness method for math or science.
Good luck!