Andover Application Essay: Fill & Download for Free

Although some potentially "risky" college application essay topics might be excellent starting points for good general writing, a college essay is a very specific piece of writing. You want to write something intensely personal or reflective, but at the same time, your essay should have extremely broad appeal. It's a delicate balance: a good essay is attention grabbing, perhaps even shocking (in a positive light), as college admissions officers like to see some creativity and some edge, but it has to do so without being overly provocative or acerbic. An effective essay will connect to readers of varied backgrounds and ages without doing anything to disconnect them.Many admissions officers are reasonably open minded about a variety of subjects, but some might have a relatively low bar when they come to judge of what is "overly provocative" ("I know it when I see it"). Consider what writing might be appealing to a very conservative high school English teacher.The college admissions process is already as competitive as it is; admissions officers already take careful note of all of your potential weaknesses, and you don't want to give them another thing to think about. (Perhaps this is just a funny coincidence, but on the Common Application, the "Disciplinary History" section is located right after the "Personal Essay" section.) Some effective college essays do spin weaknesses into positives, but they are almost always rather toned down. They appear to take a risk but are actually quite "safely risky."One classic example of a "safely risky" essay is the following (from the College Board, adapted from The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty). It touches on a potentially sensitive and very personal topic—namely, the high school romance—but is strung together in a broadly appealing way that also relates to the general theme of college admissions ("fitting in"). It could have been written in a way that was a bit less "cheesy," but sometimes, frankly, cheesy is good for a college admissions essay.My most important experience sought me out. It happened to me; I didn't cause it.My preferred companions are books or music or pen and paper. I have only a small circle of close friends, few of whom get along together. They could easily be counted "misfits." To be plain, I found it quite easy to doubt my ability to have any sort of "close relationship."After the closing festivities of Andover Summer School this past summer, on the night before we were scheduled to leave, a girl I had met during the program's course approached me. She came to my room and sat down on my bed and announced that she was debating with herself whether she wanted me to become her boyfriend. She wanted my reaction, my opinion.I was startled, to say the least, and frightened. I instantly said, "No." I told her I on no account wanted this and that I would reject any gestures she made towards starting a relationship. I would ignore her entirely, if need be. I explained that I was a coward. I wanted nothing whatsoever to do with a relationship. I talked a lot and very fast.To my surprise, she did not leave instantly. Instead, she hugged her knees and rocked back and forth on my bed. I watched her from across the room. She rocked, and I watched. Doubts crept up on me. Opportunity had knocked and the door was still locked. It might soon depart."I lied," I said. "I was afraid of what might happen if we became involved. But it's better to take the chance than to be afraid."She told me she knew I had lied. I had made her realize, though, how much she actually wanted me to be her boyfriend. We decided to keep up a relationship after Andover.Even then, I was not sure which had been the lie. Now I think that everything I said may have been true when I said it. But I'm still not sure.I learned, that night, that I could be close to someone. I also realize, now, that it doesn't matter whether or not that person is a misfit; the only important thing is the feeling, the closeness, the connection. As long as there is something between two people — friendship, love, shared interests, whatever else — it is a sign that there can be some reconciliation with fear, some "fit" for misfits. And it shows that fear need not always win, that we can grow and change, and even have second chances.I am still seeing her.You never know—sometimes, the risky essay that you've grown attached to doesn't turn out to be your best essay anyway. When I showed my first Common Application essay final draft to several teachers and advisers (most of whom had significant experience with the college admissions process), I received universally positive feedback as far as the writing went, but a couple noted that it might have been too risky. Both of these individuals were fairly open-minded, so I felt that they were very likely right, but even if they weren't, my overall application was strong enough that it wasn't worth the risk.As painful as it was to start anew, I went with a different topic instead and ended up with a much stronger college essay.

"Elite schools," score applicants based on a number of things, not just GPA and test scores. (I assume you are talking about undergrad.)Highly competitive schools consider GPA, GPA in specific areas (as needed), score the school itself (a 3.3 from Andover is worth more than a 3.8 from a public high school, probably) and class rank. SAT (or ACT) scores are considered.Also given a lot of consideration: class rank, application essay, interviews (if the school does that sort of thing), legacy, recommendations (academic, personal, political in some cases) and athletics, extra-curricular and service hours.You might have a 4.2 GPA, top of your class and a perfect SAT and still not be what the school is seeking for its new class. You must be well-rounded and balanced.

You’re looking good - I’d put your chances on the likely side if you really work hard.In regards to your 7th grade year, it will not play as large a role as your 8th grade year. If you demonstrate significant improvement in 8th grade (straight As), that is a big plus because it shows improvement, adaptability, and tenacity even in a new environment.If your school doesn’t have too many extracurriculars/opportunities, that’s okay. Phillips Academy Andover generally wants to see what you have done with what you are given. Please be sure to express gratitude towards your middle school teachers in your application and interview, but express your desire for further opportunities as a reason for going to Phillips. This gives another plus toward the “why you want to go to Phillips” side of your app. Your willingness to try hard means they’ll see you in a positive light when it comes to initiative.Please make sure to try and stand out to your teachers - a recommendation can always get better. The ways in which you appeal to your teachers (meaningful, not shallow flattery) makes a world of difference.I recommend you take the SSAT - Upper level. It’s harder, but getting 95th percentile on every section of the test will be a big plus. (Average among Andover students is 93rd percentile on SSAT.)The self-taught site programming demonstrates initiative and ambition, so those are good. Self-teaching Italian is also a big plus - fluency in multiple languages helps a lot.If you need financial aid, it is not a detriment to your application whatsoever. The 3rd Grade to 6th Grade prizes are worth mentioning, but you ought to put a relatively light emphasis on them - your recent achievements will matter more to Andover as a predictor of future success. The ethnicity card should also be mentioned extremely lightly in any interviews or essays (because it will already be there in your app, and aggressively pushing it is not appealing to interviewers). Unless your ethnicity has shaped your life in ways that make it important to mention, tread with care.If your essay skills are “beyond excellent,” I highly recommend entering a prestigious middle school writing competition. Even if you have little time to spend on it and get no awards whatsoever, your entry demonstrates interest in writing (and your application essay can speak for itself). Mention your sports and any corresponding awards - but don’t lean on it too heavily unless you want to pursue it at Phillips Academy Andover.For the interview:Don’t say anything that could be offensive in any way. Bringing up or verbally disagreeing to any degree with your interviewer’s stance on religion, politics, or philosophy has a chance of immediately kicking you off the applicants list. Art is also dangerous.Don’t interrupt your interviewer.Expect curveball questions. You should deeply contemplate and memorize your answers to the big 2 questions, “why do I want to go here” and “why should we take you” long before the interview.Dress sharply. Style your hair (not too extravagantly) and pamper your nails (clipped and minimally decorated if long).