Phillips Andover application?

Prep School Admissions
1

Hi, I’m a student in the class of 2027 who is a bit interested in applying to PA. I know it is very far past the deadline, but I think I may have some aids personally that might help.

I don’t want to sound particularly arrogant in this post, but my dad, his sister and my dad’s cousin were all students at PA. Also, I don’t need to worry about financial aid - my family and I live in a pretty wealthy town in the Bay Area.

I also have some decent accomplishments and ECs:

  • AIME qualifier and got 5 on the exam
  • USACO silver participant
  • Member of cross country and swim team
  • Experienced web developer – made over 300 dollars freelancing
  • Experienced piano player
  • Took two AP exams as an 8th grader (AP Calculus BC and AP CS A)
  • First semester freshman grades are 2 A+s, 3 As, and one A- (in English)
    • My school in 8th grade didn’t really give out grades – it was an unconventional school focused on math

However, my parents are against the idea of my applying to boarding school in the first place – they think I wouldn’t be ready and run into the same problems that I have at the current “prestigious private school” I go to in the Bay Area. The problems are a long story; to keep it short, I’ve had some really terrible experiences with repeating the classes where I scored 5s, and my other classes at this school are, may I say, rather elementary. The administration at my school has also been really horrible. I was thinking about applying in December/January as well, but my parents, especially my dad, discouraged the idea.

However, my local public school would end up being Gunn High School, where my parents are completely supportive of my going to as well. The main problems are at the school I go to right now. If I went to Gunn High school, I wouldn’t have to deal with doing a ton of AP prep for courses I already got 5s in.

Here’s my question: would it be possible to even apply this late, would my chances look good if I did, and is my dad right about PA? Also, would it be better to stick to Gunn (if anyone has any experience with the school, as it’s a bit infamous)?

P.S. If you were wondering, my username does not reflect my real name at all.

2

Short answer - you’re not going to Andover this fall.

If you want to apply next year, that’s a different question

1 Like
3

Hi, thanks for the response. Could I have the slightly longer answer, and would you be able to answer any other questions as well?

4

The application deadline has passed and decisions were released yesterday. Any late applications they would potentially entertain would be a day student who’s parent unexpectedly relocated to Boston for work in the C-Suite.

Plus Andover is looking for students who would thrive in their environment, which doesn’t sound like you would.

There are schools with rolling admissions that may be more appropriate, but your parents don’t seem supportive of the idea

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5

Thanks again. A couple of questions back:

  • If a parent did work in the “C-suite” and applied to boarding, would that give a substantial advantage? I have a friend who is an 8th grader, and his father is the CEO of a very successful company. He got into Choate and Andover, but waitlisted from Phillips Exeter – this leads me to believe that the factor of wealth doesn’t play in too much.
  • Do you have any knowledge about Gunn High School?
  • Why do you suggest that I wouldn’t thrive in Andover’s environment? I could see some reasons why, but I wouldn’t mind if you could elaborate.
6

Then he has very good options. Speculation on why he got admitted to some and not others is pointless.

Not in any great depth, no

From your words: “they think I wouldn’t be ready and run into the same problems that I have at the current “prestigious private school” I go to”

1 Like
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  • If a parent did work in the “C-suite” and applied to boarding, would that give a substantial advantage? I have a friend who is an 8th grader, and his father is the CEO of a very successful company. He got into Choate and Andover, but waitlisted from Phillips Exeter – this leads me to believe that the factor of wealth doesn’t play in too much.

I think SkiEurope’s reply specifically mentioned Andover might be willing to accept a day student at this late date. It sounds like your friend was applying to boarding. Schools have a very specific number of beds for boarding but can be a little more flexible on number of day students. Wealth and parents employment can play a small part in an application, but if they literally don’t have a bed for you they cannot accept you. They already have a very long waitlist of boarding applicants who applied on time.
If you are really interested in PA, start preparing your application now for next fall, work on getting your parents on board with the idea, and consider reclassing as it is very difficult to get in anywhere for 11th grade.

2 Likes
8

Don’t just talk about wealth. Tell your parents to put a big fat check on the desk of the development director and ask if a bed is available. Also tell them how much your family has donated in the past. You never know. Maybe the legacy plus donation will do magic. I think there will always be a bed for the right person. There are rules and there are exceptions as well.

Whether it’s worth it or you will like it is another story. And I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do either.

9

This is really a horrible thing to suggest.

2 Likes
10

Hahaha yes. But this is what the OP was implying and I just put on the lawyer’s hat and helped him brainstorm. Hey at least it’s not illegal.