<p>I just mailed out my confirmation that I would attend Andover next year, as a new 11th grader. Now I'm sort of regretting it and considering retracting my confirmation :(. I read some of the posts on this site about how prep school can be really detrimental if you want to go to a great college. I also applied to six schools and I actually didn't think I'd get into ANY of them because I don't think I'm qualified, but instead I got into pretty much all (except one wait list). For those of you who actually go to prep school or are experienced with it, whats actually good about it?</p>
<p>You've made a wonderful choice and you should be very happy. I know lots of people who would give anything for your place! Andover is simply amazing, and most here would describe it as the best thing that ever happened to them. </p>
<p>The choice of classes is wide. The teachers are amazing. Classes are very small and you have a lot of input into the direction they go in. The sports involve great coaching, the arts are strong, foreign study opportunities abound. I could go on forever. The social life is awesome. You'll meet the brightest, most talented and interesting people from all over the planet.</p>
<p>Yes, the competition for the very top colleges is stiff, but nearly everyone goes to a top college. Making it at Andover, it is pretty much a given you'll do well at any college, so most colleges favor Andover grads.</p>
<p>SF8193, did you apply and get into Exeter? I can't seem to decide which school to choose, Exeter or Andover...</p>
<p>coolblue, I applied to Exeter as well but I got wait-listed. I decided not to be on the wait list at any schools so I got off quickly. Exeter was the only one that did not accept me so i think it was just cause the interview lady hated me. I really liked Exeter when I went there. But isn't the admission decisions due today???</p>
<p>How is the social life there? Lacking or thriving? What do you guys do for fun? And--gasp!--is there any drinking or any other illegal substance things going on?</p>
<p>Wow! Kudos to you if you made it for 11th grade- that's the toughest year to get into.</p>
<p>I'd say there's a healthy mix of different types of students at Andover. One nice thing is that because Andover's a bigger boarding school, there's a lot less clique-y behavior. Of course, you'll have gungho art freaks, sports people, etc. but most people manage to handle a number of activities nicely. Plus, I also know people who are varsity athletes and accomplished musicians AND the nicest people ever, so there's very little stereotyping.</p>
<p>Andover brings great speakers to campus and the Student Activities Council always has a) a movie b) some type of cultural gala c) a dance, or usually some combination of the above for the weekend (besides concerts and art gallery openings and formal events). I'll be honest- yeah, sometimes campus events can get old, especially since everyone seems to plan the big events, inexplicably, in the same weekend. But you always have friends to hang out with or Boston (just a T ride away). I think dorm life is underrated as one of the best parts of a prep school education- I still have great memories from my first year here!</p>
<p>There's definitely illegal activity going on- mostly drinking and pot. All prep schools have some degree of that kind of stuff. If that's your thing, great. Just don't let it interfere with your work and don't get caught. Otherwise, it's not hard to avoid at all- don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Congratulations again! It'll be a crazy two years- promise.</p>
<p>Sure, this is a high school and everything you would expect goes on. I would say, though, they you think a bit harder about it than you would at home. While we are a "second chance" school, getting caught is not a good thing. Get caught twice and you're out. It better be really worth it to you. If you want to do drugs, staying home works better.</p>
<p>Are Andover students generally fun-loving or are they mostly serious? For some reason, I found most of the Exeter students to be serious people when I visited...</p>
<p>Don't worry, I dont do drugs anyway :). I was j/w because at my [public] high school, drinking is practically the sole form of social life. Parties, get togethers, all weekend activities in some way tie back to drinking. You basically have to drink to be cool. I was wondering if Andover/prep school weekend life placed so much emphasis on "rebelling." Or if there actually is weekend life at all. And like coolblue said, I hope they arent all really serious!!</p>
<p>Another thing. Does anyone feel inferior when they go there to the mounds of really smart and talented people?</p>
<p>coolblue - did you decided between Andover or Exeter yet?</p>
<p>Weeeeelll, with no offense to our neighbors up north....</p>
<p>I think Andover kids tend to be more relaxed. Kids definitely work hard, sure, but I've been surprised at the amount of modest, hard workers who also have a good time than the stressed-out, college-obsessed ones. </p>
<p>Don't know why exactly... could be the less-strict sign-in and study-hour rules, no Saturday classes, or less of a math-science geek presence on campus (Exeter recruits mathletes, I believe), or even just the less preppy, no dress code atmosphere. But that's just speculation.</p>
<p>Honestly, how many hours of homework do you have per night/per week? How big is the difference between accelerated/honors/AP classes and "regular" classes?</p>
<p>I happen to be one of those mathletes, but I don't take offense to what you say since I also play sports and such. Plus, if Andover doesn't recruit mathletes, then they must have recruited me for something else...just kidding. 11:21 here and still no idea...</p>
<p>There really aren't any "official" accelerated/AP classes, per se. Certain classes are notorious for being tough (Math 600, aka accelerated BC Calc), or Organic Chem, but it really just depends on what you're interested in. Classes are designed based on our own curriculum- so some students opt to take the AP, but pretty much any class above 400 is AP level. Also, one great thing is that you're not limited by class year. 9th graders can take multivariable calculus, seniors can take intro Russian courses; it's all based on ability.</p>
<p>As for homework, it depends. It's senior spring for me now (fun!) so I'd say the most I have is an hour of homework per night. But Upper year, kids will have anywhere 3-5 hours of homework based on classes taken/natural ability/time of year (around midterms and finals are hardest).</p>
<p>They are pretty serious up there and the "mathletes" are all Fengsters. They are their own thing....very serious and math is their life. Mr. Feng is their Math Coach and I'm sure everyone at BigBlue knows of him.</p>
<p>Any allnighters? Are allnighters common? When do people mostly go to bed? And would you say people are stressed?! Sorry for the questions but ur giving great answers!</p>
<p>I'd say 2-3 hours of homework if you're efficient. APs are not what they are at your typical school. You can take any class and get a 5 on the AP exam if that's what you want for schools that give you credit. Colleges know every class here is beyond AP level. I would say 20% of every class are locked in their rooms studying and everyone else is very social. Really, in the dorms, it's a constant party!</p>
<p>I'm going to apply for PG at Andover. Any suggestion? How generous is the school? What does the admission look at? Thanks..</p>
<p>OMG... Mr. Feng. He is soooo incredibly good at math it isn't even funny. We definitely have mathletes up here at Exeter but they're presence doesn't seem to be as overwhelming as one would think</p>
<p>People up here are very dedicated. I wouldn't call them college obsessed or anything (i'm not sure if smoothie was referring to PEA students) and I wouldn't go as far as to say that they don'thave social lives, but there is definitely always that lingering thought of work stuck in the back of your head. At least from what I have seen, Andover kids DO tend to be a little more relaxed overall though. Either way, I think it would be hard to go wrong with either institution. I Chose Exeter because I loved its facilities and I loved the community although personality-wise, Andover may have been a closer match for me.</p>
<p>Interesting tidbit of info though: Andover has 40 less days of school (142) than Exeter (182). Exeter also gets out of clases at 6:00 PM which isn't as bad ass it sounds although it does gobble up time.</p>
<p>I applied to Andover and got waitlisted... Its awesome. Be happy you got in, dont second guess.. It wont be "detrimental", maybe you wont get into Harvard, but nearly all their graduates go to top colleges. Plus they provide a top notch, unparalled education...which is what's most important.</p>
<p>As someone applying this year for acceptance to 11th grade - what were your stats? I know acceptance has a lot to do with yourself other than just on paper, but any information is useful to know! :-) Congrats on being accepted, you should certainly attend - it will be an amazing experience.</p>