Phillips Academy Andover - Review #1

1. No mandatory church services/sitdown dinners/dress codes/sturday classes -- Anodover gives students a great deal of freedom to think and make decisions of their own. Students are in charge of managing their own time, developing their own talents and pursuing their own passions.2. Great downtown!!! For food, there are numerous restaurants including Italian, French, Chinese, Thai and fastfood. For groceries, there's Market Basket and CVS. For clothes, there's Athlete's Corner, Marshalls and Kaps. For books, there's A-Buck-A-Book and the Andover Bookstore. For flowers, there's Flowers-By-Steve and Kabloom. For hanging out, there's Starbucks. What more can students ask for?

My three years at Andover have definitely helped me to mature and grow as a person. Aside from academics, I have learnt how to live independently, manage my time effectively, and face problems and challenges courageously. I have also gained a broader perspective of the world from my talented peers from all over the world.

Nothing really -- I have enjoyed every minute at Andover thoroughly...no regrets...

The warm energetic atmosphere within the community and the close faculty-student relationship.

Andover is AWESOME!!!

Try new things, new activites, things you think you can never do or would never dream of doing...meet new people, people different from you!! TRY EVERYTHING!!Best Restaurant: Sweet Basil Downtown!!!

Communication at Andover is very convenient. Every student has their own phone AND ethernet line. There are computer labs all around campus if students did not bring their own.There is a very supportive advising staff for international students specifically. The faculty and other Andover students are very amiable and understanding of the difficulties international students are facing anyway.

There was a great variety of classes. Although there is a basic academic requirement, Andover's curriculum offers a lot of flexibility for students to pursue their own interests at their own comfort level. If students want to explore a subject in much greater depth, they can do independent research projects.Very supportive and accessible faculty.

At times, the environment can be really stressful and competitive -- it's all about time management and balancing school work with social life.

Again, great variety ranging from tennis and basketball to yoga and dance. There's Varsity, Junior Varsity, recreational, intermediate and beginner levels. Everyone can find their place in Andover's athletic department.

As a bi-varsity member, there were strenuous practices and huge time commitments -- but being on a team and seeing your team improve with all the hard work is very satisfying.

the art/music requirement-- Although in the beginning everyone dislikes this requirement, everyone becomes really appreciative of it. Some people even decide that they LOVE art and music after the required introductory classes. Personally, I found those classes enjoyable and a good class to have among all the other tough classes.

nothing really...

You can meet TONS of cool people!!Also, the great range of activities-- Andover has political, academic, social, cultural, community service, and debating organizations. Students can also start their own organizations if they want to. Typically, clubs meet once a week but they are all optional. Students can adjust their activities according to their schedules.

Sometimes too many activities can be hard to juggle around, but it will be all good as students learn how to manage their time effectively.

the atmosphere within the dorm-- Although I lived in a pretty big dorm (40 girls), everyone bonded really well and everyone became close friends. We had late night snacks, study sessions, dorm trips etc. We all still keep in touch and are actually planning a dorm reunion!

Room-visiting policies at Andover can be very troublesome at times, especially when students are only to try to find a quiet place to study or do groupwork with peers of the opposite sex. However, these policies are also here for the students' protection.

cafeteria hours -- 7AM to 7PM!! There are definitely no worries about access to food. There is also the Ryley Room-- an extension of the dining hall selling better food like pizzas, burgers, fries, chicken fingers, sodas, icecream etc. And they deliver too!

Though the food at Andover is not that bad, the routine gets boring somtimes. That's where the Ryley Room and downtown retaurants come into play!

Each incoming student is assigned to a small orientation group of 5 people (usually in their grade), led by a Blue Key (student orientation staff, usually a senior). Blue Keys are energetic, passionate about Andover, and helpful. They make sure the incoming students are settling in well throughout the year and build strong friendships with their group. EVERYONE has fond memories of the first week at Andover...

Andover has amazing diversity. Students represent over 25 countries and nationalities, ranging from Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong to France, Yugoslavia, Australia and Bahrain! Though some students tend to hang out with their own racial group, there is absolutely no discrimination or cliques.

eating out, dances, movies, shopping, hanging out with friends in the dorm/downtown/in boston

As I said, the town is awesome! There are lots of things to do -- good food, clothes shopping, hanging out in Starbucks, reading at the bookstore... Besides, Rockingham Mall is only 15 minutes away by car, the movie theatres only 5, and even Boston is only a 40-minute train ride away!