<p>Presenting the 232nd Admitted Class
This year, we received 3,139 preliminary applications and 2,711 completed applications, the largest applicant pool in Academy history. To provide some perspective, in 1999 the total applicant pool was 1,849; and in 2001, we broke the 2,000 mark with 2,168. Last year as of March 10th, we received 2,308 completed applications. </p>
<p>At Andover, approximately 75% of the applicant pool is academically admissible. Your stories and personal qualities made you stand out in this extraordinary pool. The profile of the students admitted in 2009 is the strongest in recent history. Overall, 451 students, or 16.6% of this very talented applicant group, have been admitted. This is the lowest admission rate in the history of the school. Academically, most of our admitted students rank in the top five percent of their class. The median SSAT total score is 94%. Approximately 35% of the admitted class have been awarded financial aid scholarships. An impressive group indeed!</p>
<p>Academically and extracurricularly, students have excelled in their current schools and contributed greatly to their communities. They have achieved in the classroom, on the athletic field, on stage, in the orchestra pit, in volunteer capacities and in many other ways. The admission committee had a difficult task in selecting a small number of students to admit from a very talented pool of candidates. We are confident we have chosen an entering class of students who will not only contribute to the Phillips Academy community, but also benefit most from an Andover education. </p>
<p>The admitted group brings with it a diversity of experiences, interests and talents. Twenty-five percent of the admitted students indicated an interest in math and/or computers, while 42 students noted they have a strong passion for science. Eleven percent of the admitted group wrote that they love to learn different languages. With nine different world languages to choose from at Andover, these students will have a tough choice to make. (We currently offer French, Spanish, German, Russian, Latin, Greek, Chinese and Japanese; the world language division will extend its reach next year to include two years of introductory Arabic.) Thirty-nine students are particularly talented in creative writing. The English department and literary magazine advisors look forward to working with these budding novelists and poets! Lastly, the staff of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology is excited to get to know the students who listed history and archaeology as their main academic interests. </p>
<p>The arts and athletics are also well-represented in the newly admitted class. According to our coaches, 168 of the admitted students have varsity potential in athletics. And, after listening to more than 350 CDs, the music department informs us that we have accepted 30 top young musicians from around the world. More than 125 actors and actresses and 45 dancers are among the admitted group—surely they will contribute much to Andover’s 35 theatre and dance productions per year. Finally, 64 of the admitted students list visual art among their top interests. We know that they will take advantage of Andover’s extensive art program and the rich resources at the Addison Gallery of American Art. </p>
<p>With a school motto of non sibi, it is no surprise that the most popular extracurricular activity is volunteer work or community service, which was indicated by 55% of the admitted students. The entering class will bring leadership skills as well. Twenty-four students served as class or student council presidents, while 105 served as school leaders in other ways. Since active citizenship and knowledge of global issues are such an integral part of the Andover experience, membership in groups such as Model United Nations and participation in foreign exchange or language immersion programs continue to be popular with our applicant pool. Similarly, many more of our applicants have indicated a strong interest in environmental issues than in previous years. We already have a very active Eco-Action Club here at Andover and we look forward to expanding its membership with these enthusiastic students.</p>