In my 16 years as Dean of Admission, I believe that the students and parents who are most satisfied with their Andover experiences are those who base their decisions to apply and attend the school on the goals and values of this historic institution.

Phillips Academy’s Statement of Purpose, excerpted below, outlines the school’s beliefs and priorities.

“We seek to attract students of intelligence and integrity from diverse cultural, racial, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds.”

“We are committed to establishing a community that encourages people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to understand and respect one another and to be sensitive to differences.  In our programs, the Academy seeks to promote a balance of leadership, cooperation, and service, together with a deep awareness of the global community and natural world.”

“Andover’s 1778 Constitution charges the Academy to prepare ‘Youth from Every Quarter’ to understand that ‘goodness without knowledge is weak…yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous.’  This obligation challenges students in mind, body and spirit to see beyond themselves and to go beyond the familiar; to remain committed to developing what is finest in themselves and others-- for others and themselves.”

This may sound very lofty - it is.  We in the Andover Admission Office are looking for students who can already see beyond themselves.  Surely we want students who can make a contribution to this community by taking advanced math and science courses, writing for the Phillipian or leading the Student Council; we also want students who will benefit from these experiences and give back to their communities later in life.  We want students who seek to make a difference and whose character and goodness shine through in the application process.

As Dean of Admission, I am often asked: what makes Andover special?  Though as a school Andover is fortunate to have many outstanding qualities, I must admit that the people here are what make Andover truly special.  Students and adults from all over the country and the world with tremendous talents and intellectual curiosity come together on Andover Hill to form this extraordinary community.  If you come to visit the campus, you will feel the warmth and friendliness of our students and faculty.  Visitors are often pleasantly surprised to find that the atmosphere here, though academically very rigorous, is socially rather casual.  In other words, the students here work hard but they also have great fun together.  They place great value on the personal relationships formed during their time here and on the lessons learned both in and out of the classroom.  If you are a bright young person in search of a vibrant, engaging community, you will find it at Andover.

 I hope you will read our Student Web Journal and explore our Web site further to learn more about the many special qualities of Andover.