Hundreds of potential students traversed from across New England to spend a day learning about life at PA through a variety of features including dance shows, athletic open houses, musical performances and a student open house at “Day With Andover.” Jane Fried, Dean of Admissions, said, “The idea behind the ‘Day With Andover’ is to invite interested students back to Phillips Academy and let them choose from the number of events that we host here. They can go and talk to department chairs, other faculty, students, or coaches.” This year’s “Day With Andover” hosted 473 prospective students out of 1,206 total visitors including both prospective students and parents. This year’s attendance yielded a much larger turn out compared to last year’s event, which hosted 365 students out of 946 total visitors, according to Vivien Mallick, Senior Associate Dean of Admission and Head Coordinator of “Day With Andover.” A student panel discussion that was open to all prospective families kicked off the day. Larry Costello, a prospective parent from Maryland, said, “The students did a great job covering the questions and areas of concern. There was also a nice range of students [on the panel]: freshmen to seniors, day students and boarders.” “With so many events going on, I think the most valuable event of the day is going to be a little different for each person. It might be meeting with a coach, attending an athletic event, visiting the music department, or talking with a history department representative. It’s not going to be the same thing for everyone,” said Fried. The athletic open house, stationed in the Smith Center, gave student athletes a chance to meet some of the Andover varsity coaches and players. Patrick Wolber, Captain of Cross Country and Co-Captain of Track, said, “The most important part of the athletics open house is giving kids a chance to check in and see some faces of each sports team. It is great for the coaches as well because it lets them see some of the student athletes that are interested in our school.” Kevin Graber, Assistant Dean of Admission at Andover, said, “This was my third year at the Athletics Open House and it was by far the best attended and probably the best organized one that we’ve had. [I’ve] met so many kids that I just loved.” Jeffrey Marzluft, Associate Director of Instructional Services, led an Academic Resources discussion in the library. In Morse Hall, Liz Davisson, Interim Director of Community Service, and Linda Griffith, Dean of Community and Multicultural Development, led a presentation. Marzluft said, “From my perspective, the library plays an integral part in students’ lives academically and socially. So it is important to give our message regarding the importance of this library on campus.” “This presentation allowed parents to ask us librarians questions about student life and really see what is like after they send their children away from home,” he continued. Davisson said, “[The CAMD] presentation gave us the chance to talk to parents about what extra curricular activities we have to offer are and to show that we have connections to the outside community here at Andover.” Christopher Kent ’11, Co-Head of Andover Ambassadors, said, “The [number] of people at the event today really shows how Andover’s reputation precedes itself, it’s really out there. The school is known well beyond the traditional private school bubble.” “When you’re considering a school during the application process, there are really a lot of questions you have to ask yourself, like what do students have to say about their school how do you feel when you’re are there? ‘A Day with Andover’ is a great opportunity for students, parents, and siblings to answer these questions first hand. Honestly, it has been a perfect ten all day,” said Graber.
