Phillips Academy’s College Counseling Office (CCO) has made changes, including the addition of its own website, as a result of the Strategic Plan. “We are…building from the ground up, looking towards the needs of current students, alumni, faculty and staff,” said John Anderson, Head of College Counseling Anderson also said, “[The website] exists so that prospective students and parents can get a general idea of the resources that [the CCO] provides.” The website allows current students and parents to access information on colleges and see CCO programs and offerings as well as the Office’s philosophy. Anderson explained that the diversity of the student body and the value of non sibi are especially important to communicate to colleges. Anderson said, “[Being a] private school with a public purpose is a very important part of who we are, along with non sibi, and [those] are very much driving forces.” For eight years, Andover has hosted a biennial immersion program, which allows college admissions officers and other interested personnel to experience Andover. Participants visit campus, come to classes and meet with students and faculty. This program helps demonstrate and highlight the school’s diversity and ideals. Gettysburg College Director of Admissions Gail Sweezey, who visited Andover in 2006, said, “I loved every single part of [the immersion] experience, because often in admissions we don’t get to see an insider’s view of a particular school.” Sweezey noted that programs like Andover’s are rare and valuable. She said, “I thought the College Counseling Office did a really good job with helping us connect with the mission of Phillips Andover.” In addition to diversity, programs have featured language, art studies and community service. Sweezey said, “My impression of Andover is that it’s an intense academic environment where students are asked to make a difference on their campus in many different ways, both inside and outside the classroom.” Sweezey had not visited Andover before, but she said her experience confirmed “what [she] knew to be true from reading applications.” “[The program] helps us to put the applications within the context of the school experience,” she said. This is the second year CCO has used an online database called Naviance. Naviance allows students to look at and compare colleges. After creating a list of possible choices with a college counselor, parents can access this list. Anderson said that this gives parents a greater opportunity to stay involved, though the students ultimately own and drive the search.
