Have questions? Ask an Andover Freshmen!!

<p>Do you think the current school grades/overall report card are more important than the SSAT? I’m fretting about them, I’m taking them this Saturday!!!
@naturallyme 3rd quarter last year was when I got my B’s as well, lol.</p>

<p>Hi! Andover is my top school, and I was just wondering whether you felt like it met your expectations when you got there. Also, do you feel like you have enough free time,-besides activities, hw, class, studying- to just relax? Lastly, would you give a description of your situation before you were accepted? Like your grades, ec, honors and things that everyone posts on ‘chance me’ questions? plz?:)</p>

<p>but…speaking of ‘chance me’…would you chance me?XP</p>

<p>LiveForMusic: the questions are very general like “how’s your family situation” and “why did you choose this school” and “what would you brig to the school?”. The AO just wants to get to know you better!</p>

<p>Sandol1010: not to worry! Just relax and do your best on the ssat. Again, grades matter a LOT more than the ssat. Think of this, does your report card since the sixth grade give a better summary of your academics, or does one test? Trust me, the ssat is not a decoding factor as to whether you’ll be accepted or not!</p>

<p>Jerseygirl312: my expectations have not dropped one bit since i’ve gotten here. The courses are challengig, and the teachers actually care about their students! The people andover hires to teach all love their job, and teach to their upmost. And no, we are not study freaks :P. During the week, most of us don’t hang out often but during the weekend, we hang out and have fun for hourssss. Its easy to have fun here (dances, movies, hanginf out in the den/dorm, going to town, etc.). And finally, my profile. So i come from a small new england town, and am asian. I was an honors student at my old school in all double advanced courses. I was a state semi-finalist for expository essay writing. I did debate, and was also in the all mens choir (#1 in state) and orchestra (first chair). Outside of school, i was a very dedicated swimmer (5-6 hours of practice a day), and have wkn numerous state titles and am ranked nationally. I am also an identical twin. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

<p>Thx! Super helpful!</p>

<p>Thanx! You’ve really helped alot!:slight_smile:
Do you think I’m applying a bit late?
I heard ppl saying that they applied during the summer, and that’s kinda got me worried…
And are EC’s really that important? Coz my school’s extracurriculars are SUPER weak. Like, there’s no choir or drama. And for a lot of the sports, you can’t participate unless you’'re in high school(I go to a K-12 school). But I play the violin(5 yrs, concertmaster, and won 2nd place in this national competiton[I live in a small country]), play the piano, and sing. I also started a kind of fusion band at my school and wrote our songs and i was wondering if that can substitute for me lacking in the sports department(and other departments).
I’m sorry I keep asking questions! I’m like really stressed out right now because I haven’t even taken my SSAT, and I’m feeling kinda rushed. Super thanx for taking the time to answer! <3</p>

<p>Is andover really strict about admissions forms? Like would i be allowed to use a different personal rec form from another school? I don’t want to have to make my teachers write a lot of recommendations since there isnt a common personal rec form. What is your experience with this and what would you recommend to a person who is applying to several schools?</p>

<p>LiveForMusic: Don’t worry about applying late. I started my SEARCH (not even applications) December 20th last year, so don’t worry yourself. I would think that your ECs are very good! There are many kids here who aren’t athletes, and they use their time in the music hall practicing all the time! As long as you have a passion for something, then you should be ok! and remember that the SSATs aren’t the most important part of your application. Just take the test (2-3 times is best), and see what you get!</p>

<p>helloel: I don’t remember specifically, but I think for personal recommendations, they wouldn’t mind at all. I remember my school not even using the school’s forms, but using ones that they made up! As long as you turn something in, it’s fine. And for a person applying to several schools, I honestly don’t have too much insight about that. I only applied to two schools, which helped during the application process. I would say give every application you’ve got, and try and use common recommendation forms to the upsmost, as those will save you time.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Thank you! and what do you mean by applying to only two schools helped you during the application process. Just simply that it was easier not having to do so much work, or that the schools look down upon those who apply to several schools?</p>

<p>helloel: I meant that it was easier not having to do so much work. By no means am I trying to say that applying to more schools will lower your chances of acceptance! just remember to choose the schools for fit, and not for just the sake of getting into BS.</p>

<p>Bumpppp…</p>

<p>Because you have swimming as a hook, did you get FA or any sports scholarship?</p>

<p>Did you feel that Andover was so big that you could get lost, both walking and academically? Homework load is intense! But, I guess, that’s part of the reason why I’m applying.</p>

<p>When should I start asking for recs? I’m kind of holding it off because I’m really nervous to ask. I’m a high school sophomore and I don’t want it to be awkward because I’m possibly leaving…</p>

<p>Johnsmithll: no, i did not recieve any Fa because of my sport. I think no prep school in the country does that. Swimmming was my hook, yes, but it did not determine whether i got in or not.</p>

<p>98beebee: the school was supprisingly small to me. During orientation, the blue keys do a great job at showing you around campus. They even went to the individual classes! The campus is also organized so most of your classes are in the same vicinity, besides graves and the chapel. And yes, he hw load is heavy, but time management helps control it :)</p>

<p>Helloel. Askin before winter break would be the best in ky opinion. You have to get the recs done so talking with them FACE TO FACE is inevitable</p>

<p>yeahh okay thanks! did you do all of your personal recs separately for each school? or did you pick one schools form and fill it out once to send to all your schools?</p>

<p>Thank you so much!
Srry I couldnt reply sooner; I had a busy week…
Wat did u think was the hardest part of the SSAT?
And also, wat did u think was the hardest part of the applications process?
Thank you! <3</p>