Read more details about Phillips Academy Andover on their 2025-26 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
As I look back on my life, I found the English Department profoundly brilliant. The level of reading (weekly) was extraordinary. The level of commitment of the faculty was genuine.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
Exposure to the world. Students come from every state and countries around the globe.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Do your work, but get involved.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
Quality. It was #1 then; I believe it's #1 now.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Embrace the school for what it is: a place of learning!
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
It wasn't just at a high level, but we were exposed to literature that was cutting edge. I found it as high or higher than what I was exposed to at college. This was certainly the case in literature. The art scene at college exposed us to working NYC artists.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Competition was at the highest level. At the time over half the games were vs. college freshman teams. The remainder against the top prep school teams.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
The arts scene opened up a world that was entirely new to me.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
The sports program allowed me to visit all the top notch colleges in MA/CT/NH/VT.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Dorm life allows you a level of freedom, and along with it responsibility.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
In a dining facility you have choices. This is something not necessarily offered at home.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Andover is a wonderful town: upscale food, shopping, book stores.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
The school offers programming that can only be described as professional. In my time there were concerts for the student body by: Judy Collins, Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Paxton, Burl Ives, new movies every week. The Speakers each week were outstanding.
Read more details about Phillips Academy Andover on their 2025-26 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
As I look back on my life, I found the English Department profoundly brilliant. The level of reading (weekly) was extraordinary. The level of commitment of the faculty was genuine.. . .
Our campus has a cluster system which means we have five somewhat distinct residential communities. It definitely helps build smaller communities within Andover’s larger student body. Another thing that was unique about Andover was their. . .
Andover has a need-blind admissions policy, which means that they don't take into account someone's ability to pay for the school when deciding whether or not to admit them. This makes the school much diverse. . .
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