The Road Less Traveled, Part II

October 19, 2009

Members of the Andover admission office travel great distances to reach out to youth from every quarter. Nowhere in the country do families travel farther to learn about Andover than those who live in the western part of the country. The custom of four- to five-hour drives broadens the audience of my western Evening with Andover receptions, known as EWAs in admission parlance. For example, at my Missoula EWA on October 5, one family drove from as far away as Great Falls. They traveled Route 200, across the Continental Divide, and through Rogers Pass—despite an early snowfall and slippery roads—to learn more about the Academy. How did they learn about Andover and why did they make the trip? In this particular case, a veteran public school guidance counselor took the initiative to share the invitation for the event with the parents of two very bright young ladies whose academic needs and aspirations are not being met in the local, hard-pressed public system. On the advice of an educator who knows both the unmet academic potential of her students and the unique opportunities at Andover, this mother made the long trip to hear about Andover.

EWAs are a great way to meet with an admission counselor; learn about the school’s academic, co-curricular, and residential programs; and have individual questions answered. These are informational sessions only and take place in the early evening. There is no pressure to apply and students should feel free to come as they are—athletic or job uniforms are always acceptable. I generally talk about the Academy’s history, its programs and requirements, and the application process. Current parents and alumni admission representatives are on hand to offer personal perspectives and often serve as hosts for the event. EWAs are an easy way to learn a lot about the school in a relatively short period of time.

After an introduction to the Academy, I show a short video of students and faculty and then throw the gathering open to questions from the audience. On the one hand, there are common questions that defy any geographic location. What is unique about Andover? What is a cluster and how does it work? What happens to the parent/child or sibling relationship once a child goes to boarding school? How does one select his courses? Can I take music lessons on campus? How does one decide which of the many extracurricular activities to join? These are questions that any family will have. There also are questions particular to the area. From Montana or Wyoming, I am apt to be asked about the quality and availability of skiing, the cost and ease of traveling to and from campus, the availability of student jobs on campus, and the differences between students from the Rockies and those from the east coast. What is it like for a student from Big Sky country on Andover Hill?

Finally, I spend a few moments at the end of the gathering to talk about the qualities that the admission committee looks for in its students. While you will have to attend a gathering to hear the answers to many of the questions above, I can never repeat too often the simple but important message of the qualities we seek in our newest members of the community. We look for bright students who are taking advantage of all the academic opportunities that are offered at their schools. We read each student in the context of the school from which s/he is applying and select those who are exhausting their local options and are in search of greater challenge. We look for students who demonstrate responsibility and/or interests. Some students have the freedom and resources to take part in extracurricular activities that they intend to continue in high school. Other students take on responsibilities at home or in the workplace that also are important to the admission committee. We look for students from all diverse backgrounds and who are inclusive in their behavior toward others. Every student comes from a background that is interesting to us. Andover is as much a village as it is a school, and we want students who are going to make this community work. Finally, we look for students who are nice. Plain and simple, niceness counts at Andover. Talent alone is not enough.

We are coming to see you and we hope you will come out to see us. Take a look on our Web site for our travel schedule. Come as you are and learn who we are.