<p>So what makes Andover interesting to you? Just curious because when we visited we didn't feel like there was anything unique or special. I'm sure many of you have differing opinions since it seems like most are applying there. Would love to hear your opinions.</p>
<p>I dont know either. My parents really felt it but i felt exeter more. i also felt like the kids at andover were a lot more solo and didn’t seem to hang out together as much. Even though people say exeter is more competitive i feel like the people were much friedlier and happier at exeter. what schools r u applying to?</p>
<p>Then the school is probably not for you. There’s no way a school is attrative to anyone and everyone. Sometimes there is just no “chemistry”. Don’t force it.</p>
<p>It is namebrand, many people like the fame, especially Asians.</p>
<p>I think it’s more than name brand. It IS one of the best high schools in the world after all. You really can’t easily find another one comprable to it outside the SADGE (is that the new term used by Tristan?).</p>
<p>Andover is far more than just a name brand and I presume FayMom was not implying that’s the only reason for its popularity. PA is an extremely diverse, well balanced school with an emphasis on community rather than “going solo.” My daughter entered as a new 11th grader, arguably the most difficult year to enter boarding school, and found it (relatively) easy to fit in and even take the lead in some areas. Within weeks of enrolling she had made friends from many corners of the world and founded an officially sanctioned dance group because they didn’t offer courses in her favorite style. They really mean it when they say, “If we don’t have what you want then go ahead and create it.” She felt so empowered that she also pursued and received a fellowship from the school to teach in Africa one summer - and that was a solo trip for a kid that wouldn’t go to summer camp because she didn’t want to leave home and whose only travel beyond our borders had been a few family weekends to Quebec and Ontario.</p>
<p>Andover is not perfect nor is it for everyone - secondary school nirvana will remain elusive and proper “chemistry” is certainly an individualized assessment - but it is an incredible school with an extremely bright and highly engaged student body. Under the guidance of a committed faculty laden with advanced degrees (20% have PhDs), it offers strong programs in virtually every academic discipline. While I certainly don’t know the reasons most students apply to PA, I’m confident the overwhelming majority fortunate enough to matriculate will find it lives up to its lofty reputation.</p>
<p>As for my daughter, her decision to apply was based on the depth of the math program and FA. While she’s an excellent student across the board her interests tend to math/science. Since she was going to exhaust the offerings in our public high school, she asked for permission to apply to boarding schools. However, no one in my extended family had ever attended a private primary or secondary school, much less a boarding school. It wasn’t in my budget. Being a highly driven child that does her homework she immediately produced a short list of schools that offered the requisite courses and still had FA (for family reasons she did not apply until the end of the school year). After meeting some of the faculty, staff and students Andover was her (and our) clear favorite. Fortunately, they had an opening come up over the summer and, although it was before the fall 2007 unveiling of their need-blind admissions initiative, they provided a generous aid package even at that late date. We will always be grateful to PA for that. Someone upstairs must have been watching out for her…</p>
<p>Padre and Benley, It is probably more than the brandname, but for a lot of people I know, they are simply after the top ones without even bothering to investigate those “more than brandname” things you mentioned. Any downside of Andover or whether their kids will fit in, are all overshadow by its 30% advancement to Ivies and crown of #1. Well, it is hard for nonasian to understand as I found out. I think it is a cultural difference. Do you know China is the largest market for Luxury good?</p>
<p>I do agree with FayMom, but the reason that Andover is my top choice for several reasons. First, my sister went there, so I’ve visited it many times and really love the location, the campus, and the extremely friendly people. Unlike some other schools, it is very oriented with the town: Bertucci’s, CVS, a shoe store (where I got a pair of Birkinstocks!), and Starbucks are all in the town center. </p>
<p>The academics are top notch, and I’d love to enter the language program especially, since my sister came out basically fluent in her language of choice. There are also a lot of electives that you can take, and great college counseling as well.</p>
<p>I’ve also been to a couple of dance performances by Andover Dance Group (ballet and modern) and Blue Strut (jazz). I would be really happy to dance with them, especially in the modern and jazz program, something I’ve only tried once.</p>
<p>Andover is full of bright, motivated, and diverse people, as my sister experienced. She knew some really amazing people and teachers, and was always pushed to her fullest. I know that I can benefit from a change in environment, so I’d be excited for that as well.</p>
<p>Then there are the little things (for me), like the brand new commons, cool guest speakers, half an hour from home (but I’d board anyway), and generous FA, like someone mentioned before (though I won’t be applying for that). The Andover/Exeter rivalry also seems quite fun, and I picked up some copies of my sister’s Phillipian, and the Features section was quite hilarious. :)</p>
<p>I would also recommend you check out TomTheCat’s info on Andover at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/837171-im-new-upper-andover-can-i-help-anyone.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/837171-im-new-upper-andover-can-i-help-anyone.html</a>, and touchthestar’s experiences <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/837171-im-new-upper-andover-can-i-help-anyone-4.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/837171-im-new-upper-andover-can-i-help-anyone-4.html</a>, both are extremely detailed and helpful.</p>
<p>
A strong economy and a fast (very fast) growing middle class as well as a “super rich” group would almost inevitably lead to luxury goods consumption. You are and you FEEL rich. In general, consumers will become “mature” with time. But aren’t they lucky that most western brand names are indeed good products - some may be over-priced but price is a no issue to them anyway. 
On the other hand, I do see students from China enrolling in the “no name” day schools in the middle of nowhere living in a host family. It depends on the preparedness of the students (let’s face it: despite the fast growing number of applicants from China, only very few get admitted to the top schools each year) and the resources of the families. The point is that China is a huge country with such drive and potential. It is and will be the “largest” in a lot of things.</p>
<p>Well, those who went to no name schools are not good enough, they had no choice. If they are given the choice to go Andover and they can afford, I have not seen and doubt will see any Asian giving up Andover or Harvard along the same line. If the child doesn’t seem to fit the school, “we will adapt!” they say. :)</p>
<p>As for fast rich and shop in a more mature way, look at Korean and Japanese, anything changed after a few decades? LV stores in Paris are still packed almost exclusively by Asain tourists, not only Chinese.</p>
<p>There’s no doubt that Andover carefully manages its image, or brand if you will. In that sense it is not unlike a nearby university that enrolls the largest percentage of PA grads, albeit on a much smaller scale. However, I believe the vast majority of applicants proceed because of what the school has to offer and not merely due to its name.</p>
<p>For those that try to force fit themselves or their children into PA, they are generally making a mistake. Many cases are probably filtered out by the admissions office, but for those that sneak through the experience is likely to be less fulfilling than it should. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of Andover students seem to be happy and well-adjusted (with a very high retention rate). so the square peg in a round hole group is quite small.</p>
<p>As we’ve seen on this board PA is not for everyone. Certain students just can’t see themselves there and are best served going to a place where they are more comfortable. The funny thing is that for some Andover’s reputation may also be a negative influencer. They’ll write, as the OP did, that it didn’t seem unique or special. After all of the build up it’s a disappointment if they see it as being similar to other highly regarded schools. Given geat competition from schools like Exeter, Groton, SPS, etc. that’s bound to happen.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses and keep them coming! </p>
<p>sunflowersuzie - your points seem great for you: sister attended, dance program, 1/2 from home, and the new dining hall is pretty amazing</p>
<p>faymom - I agree, PA definitely benefits from name brand recognition among the international set. In fact, the morning of the interview, the waiting room was easily 80% Asian.</p>
<p>padre13 - You stated "After all of the build up it’s a disappointment if they see it as being similar to other highly regarded schools. Given geat competition from schools like Exeter, Groton, SPS, etc. that’s bound to happen. " In fact, the thing for us is that we could see uniqueness in Exeter, SPS and Groton but not in Andover. Yet, we are aware that Andover provides a great education.</p>
<p>doschicos, follow your heart and mind. If it is not for you, don’t apply. I think Padre was just using this platform to explain what she knows and believes what Andover is, not trying to persuade you to change your mind.</p>
<p>
Faymom, you have a point. This kind of pragmatism has served Chinese people well in recent years, but hopefully with time they will become more or less more “people oriented” than “result oriented”. Meanwhile, I think some us Americans can learn to develop a “thicker skin” and be more adaptable.</p>
<p>Students should go to whatever school seems the best for their needs, wants and interests. For some that will be PA, but for far more it will be another boarding school, or a local day school or the public high school. Only you can determine analytically and emotionally what school is right for you (or your family as your writing leads me to believe you are probably a parent).</p>
<p>Regarding the number of Asians in the waiting room, I think you’d be surprised to find out how many were actually U.S. citizens or green card holders. Having worked with many first and second generation Asian-American engineers and businessmen, they often move seamlessly between cultures, particularly if they live in or near large ethnic enclaves in NY or on the West Coast. I worked with some for years before I found out their real names (they would adopt an American name like Frank for business but use their given names at home and within their community). Statistically, there are far more Americans of Asian descent at Andover than students from Asian countries and both groups combined probably represent no more than 20% of the school population.</p>
<p>BTW: I’m a male. Padre is the Spanish word for father. While we have no Spanish heritage my kids began calling me that years ago when they started taking the language in school. Similarly they call my wife Madre. I suppose it’s our own little tribute to multi-culturalism.</p>
<p>Sorry Padre13, for calling you “she”. I know no Spanish whatsoever.</p>
<p>As for the statisics, here’s what I just found from Andover’s website: Fun facts about the 232nd ('09) class.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>“Number of applicants for whom English is not their first language: 605” - although not all whose first language is not English are necessarily international students, you get an idea how many international students (which includes students from Asian countries) are applying.</p>
<p>Edit:
Note this is the composition of '09 class, not the whole school.</p>
<p>By '09, I meant 2009 admission season not class of '09.</p>
<p>To me Andover is like the happier, more fun, average-high-school-y version of exeter.</p>
<p>This is probably going to sound really superficial, but I really liked Andover’s viewbook. Until I saw it I was really leaning towards Exeter. Since I have never visited the schools, I can’t say what they feel like but what really attracted me to Andover, was its cluster system, its language program, and all the classes and electives it offers in English/History. The need-blind admission is also a factor, although at Exeter I would be guaranteed (spelling?) FA</p>