Alex Anderlik

Review of Phillips Academy Andover

It is almost impossible to write a description of ...

It is almost impossible to write a description of a boarding school that fits everyone, but this is my experience. Andover is a co-ed, all-discipline liberal arts prep school for high school students in grades 9-12 (plus post-graduate).

Undeniably, it is one of the best high schools in the world - if what you're looking for is a rigorous, high-pressure academic environment with unbelievable resources and a more progressive, liberal vibe than its top-tier counterparts. Only two years older than the Declaration of Independence, Phillips Academy has had a long and prestigious history with many world-famous alumni.

Andover offers a wide range of classes in general, scholarly disciplines and has almost unparalleled facilities as a high school. Students have a relatively massive workload and high stress levels - this school is NOT all fun and games, but it pays off in the form of a great education and a steeled work ethic. Virtually every graduate has described college as "a lot easier". However, with a wide range of athletics and community opportunities including clubs, events, and student publications, there is still an independent and creative outlet to be had.

Unlike some of the other old New England schools, Andover tries to be modern; a co-ed student body, no uniform, virtually no Saturday classes, and a newfound embrace of technology make it a stark difference to other "traditional" educations.

The PA community is prided on its "diversity" - a huge effort is made to attract (roughly 50% male and female) students from all corners of the world including far-flung states as well as countries in Asia, Europe, South America, and even Africa. And an unprecedented (though still imperfect) need-blind financial aid policy means that Andover is beginning to see a socioeconomic spectrum on campus. Price of admission is no longer a barrier for students really committed to the school and the education. This mix of cultures and experiences is a great environment for enhancing your world-view and getting a well-rounded education. The students here are all more or less friendly and intelligent, with many of the stereotypes of high school without a strong sense of cliques or exclusion.

Andover's sprawling, immaculately-trimmed campus has amazing facilities including several top-line computer centers, a huge and well-stocked library, a state-of-the-art science center with precise instruments including a rooftop observatory, a fully-fledged public art museum hosting traveling galleries as well as a stupendous collection of original American art (including works by Georgia O'Keefe and Jackson Pollock), a huge athletic center including several gyms and fitness equipment, a squash gallery, several tennis courts, football and baseball fields, a swimming pool, and an ice-skating rink. Commons also has possibly the best cafeteria food in the world (no joke).

Everything about the school is, in a word, impressive. It is a huge investment in every sense and will propel every student into a good college and beyond. However, psychology is all but completely overlooked and every student faces over-the-top stress levels, fierce competition, and failure in some form or another. Like everything else, these are tough but valuable lessons to learn and build a firm foundation for a student's life ahead, but their actual time here may be very unhappy if they don't fit well into the academic mold. Be sure that you're really willing to devote the majority of your life to your education during your time here, and know that if the school feels right for you it really is the opportunity of a lifetime.