<p>As a new parent, I have found Andover to be very timely and responsive to any question or concern we have had.</p>
<p>I haven’t been able to read Mr. Murphy’s message yet. I did read some of those comments made by the two or three current students (2 of the most vocal male students are rising seniors, and the “meanest” used a fake name) and was bothered. These students “volunteered” to talk to the incoming freshmen in such an insensitive or even rude manner. Compared with them, I think the freshmen handled pretty well. They actually showed more maturity. Because of the lack of other voices in that facebook group, I am a little concerned - HOW MANY students are like them?</p>
<p>Lol your going to have a lot of different types of students at BS. That language can be found in any incoming freshman class facebook group. I wouldn’t worry though, people usually roll in groups and won’t both the freshman during the actual school year.</p>
<p>OK. So that is normal? And it happens with every school’s incoming freshman class facebook group? I am obviously not the facebook generation so I may be makeing a fuss out of nothing.</p>
<p>I skimmed through a couple pages of the conversations…I saw nothing that stood out as being out of line, but the posts in question are likely further back. A few of my friends in '11 (nice people) have posted in the group, though I didn’t really read their posts. As ImCrazy said, there’ll be a lot of different types of students. Some will be jerks, lots will be really nice. The people who stand out most are likely to be the ones with strongest opinions or the most offensive ones, so keep that in mind. In addition, “■■■■■■” may be more vocal than the people just wishing to get to know each other. In my experience, there are people with whom I didn’t want to associate with because they came across as jerks. There are some I didn’t want to associate with simply because we didn’t click. There were many other nice people I wish I had gotten to know better.</p>
<p>I was inaccurate when I said “lack of other voices”, there are a couple of current students (girls) who gave helpful advice. It’s just the negative comments stuck out and got all my attention. I guess that’s one side of “diversity” - you get all kinds of diversity. :). I may be a little overreating. Sorry.</p>
<p>There are sketchy kids at every school. Fortunately, unlike public school, at private schools administrators have the right to monitor Facebook etc…“the reach of the school” extends past the borders of the campus.</p>
<p>I’m not that concerned about comments on facebook. I don’t find posts on facebook very legit. All the current students I’ve met so far are very polite, nice and truly unique and fun.</p>
<p>That said…I’m SO EXCITED. Is everyone preparing and buying supplies and crossing off days on their calenders?</p>
<p>By the way…could someone please tell me what size sheets and duvet I should get?
Are the beds single or twin?
trivial question but important when you want to shop for andover!</p>
<p>Those kids are idiots, don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>The beds are extra long twins.</p>
<p>True. Those kids are idiots. I wonder if they GO to andover.</p>
<p>Thanks! You saved me. My parents are insisting that we go out NOW and get the dorm shopping out of the way today. I feel nauseous every time I remember how much stuff I am going to take to my dorm!!</p>
<p>the ones that are using their real names do, the made up ones… well… nobody can tell for sure though it is probable</p>
<p>When sending mail to a PA student, does one simply address the item to the student, c/o Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810? Or do they get a more specific address/box number? And do all deliveries get sent to this address? They don’t send stuff to the individual dorms, do they? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I think all mail will be in the mail room. Students are supposed to check on their mail at least once a day. So I guess you can just address to the student, and maybe add something like “class of '12” after his/her name to identify this is to a student?</p>
<p>That’s how you address mail - student name, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA, 01810. It’ll go to central services in GW Hall and they’ll put it into the appropriate student box (which changes every year). Although students can order a pizza and have it sent to a dorm (during certain hours), I don’t know of any other deliveries going to dorms. Normally, you send them to the main address and students get an e-mail saying they have a package. However, it’s important to plan ahead, as the mail room is not open on weekends. If you want to send something to your student for their birthday, but their birthday is a Saturday, they won’t get it on the Saturday.</p>
<p>WE MOVE IN SO SOON!</p>
<p>I’m getting so restless sitting here at home. All of my old friends are back at my old school and, well, I’m sitting around waiting to fly back into the US to make one of the largest transitions of my life. I don’t know what to think at the moment, but what I do know is that I’m more excited than I can possibly quantify with text alone.</p>
<p>I’m so excited too. I leave next Wednesday. Ahh.</p>
<p>Could someone tell me where the Gym is? What’s the name of the building? Thanks!</p>
<p>Borden Gym is next to the Shuman Admissions Center, a bit behind Bullfinch Hall.</p>
<p>Thanks, Uroogla. We are trying to locate some buildings need to go to on a daily basis. Looks like most academic buildings are close to each other, but the music building - OMG. And the music class is not even the last class for the day.</p>
<p>I have a couple questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I’m going to be a sophmore. I’m from the deep south, and I have an accent. It’s not TOO bad, but noticeable. Would people think anything of this? I wouldn’t think so considering the diverse population, but you never know. Some Northern people I’ve met have seem put off by this (none associated with PA).</p></li>
<li><p>This may be a stupid question, but I’ve never been to boarding school. What do you do when you’re sick? Do you stay in your dorm or go to the infirmary? What do they do if you don’t go to your classes one day?</p></li>
</ol>