<ol>
<li><p>I doubt your accent will cause prejudice or anything. Of course people might think it’s pretty cool and unique but I don’t think anyone would make fun of you or anything. I like to think that the students at Andover are pretty openminded.</p></li>
<li><p>We have an infirmary on campus called Isham. It is across main street from the academic buildings behind the quads. If you just have a cold or something you can go over there and they’ll give you tylenol. If you get the flu or something more serious you can actually stay there overnight. They will write you an excuse for any class time you miss, unless you have a test or other major assignment due. </p></li>
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<p>In terms of missing class, if you have an unexcused absence it’s called a cut. If you get unexcused absences (cuts) from more than 4 classes in any given term you are disciplined (not severely, you get room restriction for a week the next term). In most classes, 3 lates to a class equates to one cut. In general though the basic rule of thumb is to go to class. I mean we are there for a reason (and most of us want to be there) and our parents (or the school) is paying/giving you money to be there. So don’t waste it.</p>
<p>The walk to Graves is doable in 10 minutes (with the possible exception of from Bulfinch/the Gym). If teachers keep the students late, however, then there are problems. I had to walk from Graves to Bulfinch every Friday for a year for advising (only given a 5 minute passing period rather than 10). Completely impossible.</p>
<p>Following up on what PABlue said, while the penalty for too many cuts is not <em>too</em> bad, it escalates if you get more or if the problem continues in other terms. When people are only mildly sick, they often go to class so they don’t miss anything (it’s often hard to catch up after missing even 1 full day of classes). It’s probably not a healthy attitude (pun intended), but that’s how important classes are to most students there.</p>
<p>The putty they provide is really unreliable and it ends up ruining the back of the posters at the end of the year. Plus, they fall off in the winter when the walls get cold for some reason. I’ve started putting scotch tape on the back of my posters and its worked much better. I’ve also used thumbtacks and stuff, I dont think they charge you for small holes. I wouldn’t put screws into the wall though.</p>
<p>No accent would be a problem. You might get a few “excuse me’s” from the Boston crowd, but their accent could be difficult to understand as well. There are people from everywhere, with every accent, including some who dont even speak English well. Lots of Southerner’s at the school. Always have been.</p>
<p>The book list is usually posted ahead of time on PAnet but even if you don’t have it the Andover Bookstore has the textbooks carefully arranged by course so you can certainly buy them. However, it might be more fun for your son or daughter if you don’t. The Blue Keys take groups of new students down to the bookstore on Monday - making it both a buying expedition and a social event. If you’ve put a credit card on file with the store your student will be able to buy everything necessary for the start of class.</p>
That’s my understanding too after reading the ‘new parent Q&A’ posted on PANet, but so far it’s still not there. So we can just call up the bookstore and give them the credit card information?</p>
<p>If I remember correctly there was a form for credit card authorization that came in the packet of welcome materials. They may also take it over the phone (vaguely remembering having to do that after the original card expired) but it would probably be best to just stop in while you are in town. The Andover Bookstore is downtown in a small 3 story building behind the Dunkin Donuts. Park in the public lot opposite CVS/Bertucci’s and it’s right along the south side.</p>
<p>Edit: I should have noted that the bookstore carries a limited number of used books. If you are looking to save a little money then it may pay to stop in early and purchase those that have a used option. I would still probably let your son or daughter buy the remainder on Monday with classmates.</p>
<p>The Andover Bookstore no longer maintains credit cards. Purchases can be made with the BlueCard, and it is very easy for parents to add money to it for books. The new system seems much better.</p>
<p>I have a question about Andover: what is the dress code? I’m considering applying there, and the only thing I’ve heard about the dress code is “there is not dress code”. Is it appropriate to wear jeans and the like to class?</p>
Working on ssat’s as well.</p>![http://images.lowes.com/general/n/nail_screw_bg_finishing_n.jpg[/url]](http://images.lowes.com/general/n/nail_screw_bg_finishing_n.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
