<p>(My first post here.) I got admitted to PA this year as a lower, and included in my FA/scholarship was a gratis laptop /Macbook. My questions are:-</p>
<p>[ul]
<a href="And%20I%20actually%20feel%20rather%20dumb%20asking%20this%20one:">*</a> **Do we get to keep the laptop after our studies at PA?<a href="Assuming%20we%20graduate%20successfully%20and%20all.">/b</a></p>
<p>It wouldn't make sense to take it back, as it would've been used for 3 years (plus, high school students aren't exactly the sort of people you can rely on to keep a laptop in the same mint condition ;) ); but I wanted to be sure, and felt that it would be rude to ask them (to whom I'm really grateful to, I should add, for making such an awesome opportunity available to me :D).</p>
<p>[li] Also, I was wondering if using Linux<a href="I%20wouldn't%20mind%20Ubuntu%20even">/b</a> **would cause any practical problems in terms of having to run software not available for it or use proprietary technologies. I know that their Microsoft Web App intentionally 'waters down' your experience in non-IE browsers (unless you use ActiveX hacks on Windows, or somehow manage to get Wine working with IE :/).[/li][/ul]</p>
<p>For your first question, while I don’t have knowledge of the way the PA/scholarship system works, I’d assume that you get to keep it. If I’m correct, most students at PA are expected to have their own laptop, or at least a way to complete online/typed assignments. They’d keep that. Essentially, the school is putting the laptop into your hands as a gift, which you will not have to return (I don’t think); this is the same thing with FP/scholarship. Full pay kids pay for their education completely, while kids on scholarships receive a gift of sorts from the school. They don’t return that. You could think of it the same way.</p>
<p>Whoa Andover gives out Macs as gifts? Cool!
And CONGRATS @themorningsky :D</p>
<p>
There’s no such expectation on the part of PA, although most students do own a laptop. Andover also has over 200 workstations for student use.</p>
<p>As to the original question, the laptop is yours to keep. Congratulations.</p>
<p>The linux question is too technical for me.</p>
<p>@mathman1201 students at schools schools with large endowments are typically able to provide students who need it with literally everything they need. Including things like laptops/tablets/allowances so they feel comfortable at school. Of course, these schools that can afford things like this will obviously want qualified students, which is why it is typically harder to get into schools that help their students like this (e.g. PA, PEA, etc.) </p>
<p>Then again, if a school really wants you they’ll help you in whatever way they can. </p>
<p>And if you’re looking for FA, you should know that getting into a school doesn’t necessarily mean you can go, based on how much money you get (regardless of receiving the “extras”). </p>
<p>P.S. These “gifts” are mainly for students with lower incomes. I would know!!</p>
<p>@pdl100 @skieurope @boardingjunkie Thanks for the quick replies!</p>
<p>
On a related note, how much are computers and the internet part of (academic) life then? I was surprised to see to hear that they have no laptop requirement.</p>
<p>
I\m not sure what you mean here, if this is w.r.t. me.</p>
<p>
LOL, just checked your profile (and replied to a few of your threads). How is it that you have such a high reply-to-thread ratio if you’re only going to go to Exeter for the first this year? (At least, that’s what I’ve inferred; I’m probably wrong.)</p>
<p>That first part about FA in General was just to mathman, not you specifically (sorry I wrote this quite late at night so sorry if I was not clear). And I just wanted to tell him more about the importance of him getting FA bc it’s not just like “ooh lala you can get a free laptop!” </p>
<p>And for the second part I am only going to exeter for the first time this year! Though I’ve gone through the application process twice so I know a lot more this time around. Also I’ve had people who got in on their first try tell me more about their experience</p>
<p>Hi @themoriningsky, I also want to get into Andover but I am not sure if I am the right student? Could you help me or give me an idea?</p>
<p>Hello, I have not taken my SSAT test yet, but I am in 7th grade and am hoping on going to Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield, orExeter. I want to figure out my chances even though I have not applied, scheduled an interview/tour, or taken the SSAT. I go to a school where there are no honors classes except for math. My grades are as follows:
Math (Advanced)- A-
Science- A
Spanish- A+
English- A-
Social Studies- A
Art- A-
Gym- A
Music- B+
Health- A or A-</p>
<p>Extra Curricular:
1 yr of flag football
2yrs of basketball
1 year of travel soccer
1 yr of student council
Volunteering at the library
1 yr of trumpet
Learning to code currently</p>
<p>Awards:
Geo-bee (competition in the field of geography at our school)
Mathematics (4th grade)
P.S our school does not have actual awarding programs.</p>
<p>I speak 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Bengali)
I will have to apply for financial aid, yet I do not know whether it will affect my chances as I am looking for a full-scholarship.
I will have good recommendations next year as I will try to become good friends with teachers.</p>
<p>Don’t hijack other people’s threads. [-X </p>
<p>Mostly because he has two other threads detailing the same exact thing here. </p>
<p>
That’s now changing. Starting next year, all students will be required to have a laptop or tablet.</p>