I am choosing whether to go to Andover or not. I am currently a straight A’s student at Dalton. If I get, should I go to Andover? Which should I choose and why?
I think Dalton is very NY city specific. That’s great if you plan to stay and live in the US or Northeast. But Andover grads are often from many places across the US and the world. Andover is known by everyone, in other words and Dalton is known to NYers.
Also, having straight A’s at Dalton is in no way indicative of being accepted at Andover. They are looking for top students from across the US and the world as well as economic, racial and geographic diversity. You should apply and if accepted make the decision based on what you want. Remember you have to knock out 9 other good candidates of 10 to be accepted. So many think they will get into these top schools easily and are surprised when they don’t. My own kiddo has some outstanding grades, SSAT scores and won a worldwide recognition in a specific thing which I’d rather not say and only got into 2/4 top schools. The schools are looking for athletes, academics, wealthy donor families, and many more things. Most of the applicants fall into one or two or even three or four categories. It’s tough. Good luck and you should go for it.
If your question is whether you should apply to Andover, then sure, why not? If the question is if you should attend Andover, then your question is premature before March 10
I don’t think this is a premature question; there is no harm in considering the advantages and disadvantages of one to the other. If the moderator is offended by the assumption that there will be a choice, that is a different thing.
I think this is a valid question because the schools are so different. The crux of the question is probably why you want to leave Dalton? Have you been there since K? Do you like the Dalton Method? Do you not like your classmates or the culture of the kids there? Do you want to get out of NYC? Do you want to be on your own? Why Andover as opposed to a more progressive boarding school? If you can answer this, whether here or just to yourself, you will probably be able to decide if you want to leave Dalton.
Entertaining hypothetical scenarios is really a waste of everyone’s time, including the OP’s…especially for challenging and statistically improbable scenarios (which is regardless of any applicant’s qualifications). That cart is way in front of the horse.
If the real question(s) are those you suggest, than the OP needs to ask them…or be assisted with getting to them by not indulging the wrong question. Perhaps there isn’t harm in entertaining hypothetical scenarios, but it sure isn’t helpful, which is supposed to be the point of this kind of forum.
But that’s not what the OP asked. If s/he asked if s/he should look at BSs, or help finding BSs to apply, then those are all valid questions which would elicit some responses, particularly if s/he lists parameters/interests/budget, etc. And as correctly pointed out, a key question the the OP should ask (because it is one any interviewer will ask) is what Andover would offer that Dalton would not. But the question as posed is moot until an acceptance is received.