<p>This is a forum for anyone with questions about Andover. I am a four year senior willing to answer any questions. I'm also sure some of my classmate will chime in from time to to time.</p>
<p>Do you know if they mailed all the admissions/wl letters yet as many of us haven’t received anything yet? Is it possible to find out?</p>
<p>Yes. I am sure that they sent all letters already. It may take a little longer depending on your location. As for finding out otherwise, I’m pretty sure that the admission office will not be giving decisions over the phone. Just imagine the volume of phone calls they would receive if they did. If you dont receive your letter (relatively) soon it wouldnt hurt checking in with an admission officer/the admission office by phone or email.</p>
<p>Do you know why they still do the mail paper version as opposed to email version used by Exeter that’s working very well? May be you can recommend it to the Admissions Office.</p>
<p>I have no idea why. Personally, I loved getting the letter in the mail. I remember getting Lawrenceville’s decision online and it was pretty lackluster.</p>
<p>Do you have a kindle?</p>
<p>What are the chances of getting off of the waiting list this year? What’s the best thing to do to get off of it?</p>
<p>Pulsar I had a Kindle that I gave to my mother. I’d rather have the book to annotate and such.</p>
<p>To Eternal: There isn’t a magic formula for who gets off the waitlist or not. That being said, I honestly don’t know how easy or difficult it is to get off the waitlist. As of right now, and I know this may be difficult, what I would do were I in your shoes would be to just wait it out.</p>
<p>How long did it take for your acceptance letter take to get to you? (If you can remember four years back haha)
I’ve heard if you didn’t recieve a package March 10th, its a rejection/ WL :/</p>
<p>DieterSama,</p>
<p>I’d really appreciate your input on the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I have heard that the Upper Year at PA is particularly stressful because of increased course work and the added pressure of beginning the college admission process. Is that true? If so, any tips for smoothing the transition?</p></li>
<li><p>Would you recommend Latin or Russian for a student who wants to begin a new foreign language at PA? </p></li>
<li><p>Can a beginning Upper opt out of History 300 if she/he has already taken AP US History?</p></li>
<li><p>Any advice about the dorms; any input about the cluster system; any idea about how difficult it is for a new Upper to get a single? </p></li>
<li><p>What is the general consensus about AP Chemistry and AP Calculus AB (e.g., quality of teachers, difficulty of course, etc.)?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks and sorry for all the questions. It is really nice of you to take the time to help us all out!</p>
<p>Hello! Is it required to have a roommate if you board at andover? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi :)</p>
<p>What is it like being at Andover? (Fun, stressful?)</p>
<p>What made you decide on Andover over all the other schools?</p>
<p>ohxwowxlovely: I cant remember, but stay positive.</p>
<p>SergeantFriday: Upper year does have a reputation partially because 2/3 years into high school everybody wants a reason to complain and partially because the level of work done does become more difficult.Upper year is hard because it is functionally the first year that everyone in your grade is worried/thinking about college, which you mentioned earlier. It also happens that Upper year is the year that most students begin taking AP level courses, in math, science, history, language often, etc., which adds to the pressure of Upper year. One tip I have is to utilize your teachers. Most, if not all, teachers love when a student takes time to seek them out for help. If you’re struggling in math, science or life, the teachers are there to help. I know plenty of times when my grade has been pushed up because the teachers knows that I put a lot of time and effort into the class. Also, a general rule of thumb, if you were accepted that admission office believes that you can deal with the amount of work given. The admission office is wary that Upper year is one of the most difficult years. </p>
<p>Personally I would choose Russian. I take German and Japanese at PA. The German Dept. chair, Ms. Lisa Svec, is the Russian Dept. chair’s, Mr. Victor Svec, wife. That being said, I am pretty familiar with the Svecs, and I love them. Ms. Svec is one of the most caring individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting, and I have heard nothing but rave reviews from his students. Latin is cool, and can be “useful”, but Russian at Andover is an experience that one should not miss if they have the chance. I also feel as if you could learn more Russian in 2 years than Latin. </p>
<p>If you have already taken the AP then most definitely. If not you still have a chance, I know a few students. Andover wants to make sure that you were able to survey US history in as much depth as you would if you took 300. So if you brought a syllabus, or could talk your way through a meeting with Mr. Drench the History head, then yes. </p>
<p>They usually try to match new lowers and uppers with other new lowers and uppers because you guys are a smaller portion of the entering class. That being said, I am somewhat biased. I would say try to get into Flagstaff if you can, it has a central location and Mr. Hession, the cluster dean, is a boss. Honestly, there are few places you can go wrong. Some other awesome places are Andover Cottage, Fuess, Stearns, Taylor. Andover cottage is a small dorm, so it depends on what you want. Personally I would say go for a bigger dorm your first year and if you want a smaller dorm get a stack. </p>
<p>Chem. The Chem teachers are generally awesome. In fact, I can only think of one chem teacher that I have heard a complaint about. There are multiple levels of AP Chem, some more hair-loss-inducing than others. As for AP AB. Its cake. There are great teachers in the math dept., more so than the chem dept., there are teachers int he math dept., that play to certain strengths, so although you may not learn well from a math teacher there are a handful of students that will. </p>
<p>and no problemo.</p>
<p>locococoa123: It is not required in any shape or form to have a roommate.</p>
<p>zdub I promise I will respond tomorrow.</p>
<p>also I apologize for the lack of lucidity. If anything I said does not make sense just tell me.</p>
<p>DieterSama,</p>
<p>Your response was great! Just two follow-up q’s: what is the smaller dorm with a “stack” that you mention; what is the least “hair-loss-inducing” level of AP Chem?</p>
<p>Thanks again! I really appreciate your help!!!</p>
<p>Hey DieterSama, just wondering but do a lot of Andover students do the Andover summer school? I’m worried since I’m entering as a lower, I’ll be a little behind everyone else. Would it be worth it to do the summer school before hand?</p>
<p>first z doub: </p>
<p>Andover is a very complicated place to describe. I have had the best times, so far, of my life at that school. Made friends that I will have forever–if I have any say in the matter, and have gone through some of the most grueling academic challenges. I was just talking to my friend about the amount of all nighters we have pulled in our andover career. I have garnered a grand total of 5. But Andover is so much more than just friends and academics. There is a large third component that makes Andover what it is but it extremely different from person to person. For me it has been joining the Wrestling team, being an Andover Ambassador, the Student Activity Board, Student Council, Hypnotiq, Community Service, WPAA, Philo (debate team), and Model UN. These are some of the extracurricular activities I have participated in, and what largely help shape my Andover career. Yes, the people are awesome, the education is top notch and challenging, but the extracurrics are when you get to show off what you do best and what you’re passionate about. Sorry I went on a bit of a tangent there. </p>
<p>What made you decide on Andover over all the other schools? I only applied to 4 schools, ANdover, Exeter, St. Pauls, and Lawrenceville. And I was waitlisted at St.Pauls. For the other school, although Andover was my favorite from the start I made sure to visit each school. No matter how much you like a school on paper it does not compare to visiting the school. I generally didnt like Exeter, although it had some interesting things that I appreciated. I ended up making a pros and cons list of every school and Andover was a clear winner. That being said, among the litany of reasons why I chose PA, the reason that stood out was the people. The kids at Andover were just happier and friendlier. When I went to Lville all the people were too focused on their studies to pay attention to the prospie. At Exeter although my host was super nice, his friends ignored me. At Andover, everyone wanted to know my name, etc. Now that I go to Andover I can tell you how eager people are to have a spring visit host. I helped with sign ups a few weeks ago and the applications were done in a matter of hours. </p>
<p>Now to Friday:</p>
<p>Sorry, I started to get lazy. A stack is when a group of friends apply to live in the same dorm. They are often small dorms–the stack I live in this year has a total of 5 kids–although you can also stack halls or parts of dorms. </p>
<p>And here is the thing. (the play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscious of the king (ten ppoints if you can tell me where thats from) The higher chem’s may want you to pull out your hair while you’re doing them, but they’re totally worth it in the long run. I have never in my 4 years someone complain after taking Chem 580–the AP course that goes into more depth, and routinely surpasses the information you have to know for the AP. It may seem a little daunting taking a class that makes you want to pull pout your hair, but well, for example I have a handful of friends who decided to take Organic Chemistry this year. Every time they had a test they would detest (see what I did there) the class, but when I asked them (some of them) what there favorite class was they all said Organic Chemistry.</p>
<p>Craysian honestly no. I know of maybe 10 that did–out of 1200 that’s a pretty small number. Yes, it could help, especially if you may be “behind” in math, to go to summer session. Is it imperative, no. If you were accepted than the Admission office believes you can handle the level of work at Andover, so although I dont know your specific situation I trust that you will be fine if you do not.</p>
<p>Thank you DieterSama! That was very informative :)</p>