How to Get Into Phillips Academy Andover
Key Dates and Information
- Application deadline: February 1, 2027
- Financial aid deadline: February 1, 2027
- Admissions Tests: Required for 2027-28 admissions cycle
- SSAT (Upper Level), ISEE (Upper Level), PSAT, SAT, or the ACT® test
- Admissions Interview Options:
- On-campus Interview, Virtual Interview, or Interview Recording
- Decision release date: March 10, 2027
Introduction
Phillips Academy Andover is one of the most selective secondary schools in the world. In fact, it is number one on Test Innovators’ Most Sought-After Schools of 2022 It can be daunting to apply to a school with only a 13% acceptance rate, so we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the application process to Andover. Keep reading to learn what you need to do to apply to Andover and to discover resources that will help you during the process. We recommend using this guide in conjunction with our Admissions Assist Course, which will help you prepare for common student and parent interview questions, articulate why you are a compelling candidate for admission, and gain a better understanding of how independent schools evaluate candidates.Expert Insight “[Phillips Andover is] a very warm office and community, and they take our brightest students who tend to have a solid extracurricular that is already developed, whether squash or newspaper/writing or acting. They have also been generous with financial aid.” — Kaley Bell, Secondary School Advisor at St. Bernard’s School
Application
Andover uses an online application portal called Gateway to Prep Schools. Applicants will need to submit the following materials before February 1, 2027:- Candidate Profile on Gateway to Prep Schools
- Application Fee:
- US Applicants: $60
- International Applicants: $125
- Fee Waiver Available (Contact School)
- Academic Performance:
- Official Transcript/Grade Report with grades from the past two years
- Current Grades
- Written/Application Materials:
- Application Essay and Short Answer Questions
- Graded Writing Sample: copy of a recent writing assignment that has been corrected and graded by a teacher
- Short Video Response
- Parent/Guardian Statement
- Letters of Recommendation:
- Current English teacher recommendation
- Current Math teacher recommendation
- Personal recommendation
- Principal/Counselor recommendation
- Special Interest recommendation (Optional)
- Arts or Athletics Supplement (Optional)
- Admissions Test Scores (Only One Required):
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- Character Skills Assessment (Optional)
- International Students (All Grade Levels):
- TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores are requested for students at all grade levels who attend a school outside the United States that is not an English-medium school.
Admissions Interview
Andover offers both on-campus and video interviews. The admissions department encourages students to complete an interview and either an on-campus or live virtual tour if feasible. Availability for the on-campus and virtual interviews is limited, so candidates can instead choose to include an interview recording with their applications. Applicants can check the interview calendar again if they do not initially see an appointment that works for them, as new appointments are added on a rolling basis. Interviews are conducted through the month of January.
The interview can be an important part of the application process for the school and for you. It gives the school the opportunity to get to know who you are beyond your application, and it gives you the opportunity to further explore if the school is a good fit for you. The interview also gives you the chance to distinguish yourself from the sea of other excellent applicants, so it is important to be prepared.
Interviewing, much like test-taking, is a skill that you can learn and improve. Test Innovators’ Interview Prep Course helps you prepare for the interview by practicing common interview questions and teaching you how to present yourself as a strong candidate for admission.
In addition to practicing, it is important to take some time to research the school before your interview. Explore Andover’s course catalog, performing arts programs, and athletic teams. Look for connections to your existing passions and potential new pursuits that spark your interests, and be prepared to discuss these specific offerings.
For example, if you’re fascinated by the night sky and have always enjoyed trips to the planetarium, you might want to tell your interviewer how excited you were to see that Andover offers an astronomy course. If you play the clarinet, you may wish to ask questions about the symphony orchestra, wind ensembles, and private instruction. If you have always wanted to explore the great outdoors but have never had the opportunity, you might mention that the Outdoor Pursuits program is a big draw for you.
Please refer to Andover’s admissions page for the most up-to-date information and deadlines.
Admissions Tests
Andover requires standardized testing for Fall 2027 applicants and beyond. Students must submit scores from one of the following admissions tests in support of their applications:
- SSAT (Upper Level)
- ISEE (Upper Level)
- PSAT
- SAT
- ACT
Andover’s current application information does not divide these tests by grade level, so applicants should not be instructed to use SSAT/ISEE specifically for grades 9–10 and PSAT/SAT/ACT specifically for grades 11–12. Instead, students may submit one of the five tests listed above.
Check out our SSAT Prep Guide to learn more about the SSAT and our ISEE Prep Guide to learn more about the ISEE.
Want to get a top score?
Take a small-group class to learn key strategies and boost your knowledge!
Financial Aid Application
Andover is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for each of its students. Overall, 47% of students receive financial assistance and 12% of students receive full scholarships. Andover has financial aid that has now moved forward scholarship grants, allowing students to graduate without debt.
Andover has a need blind admissions policy, which means that students’ financial needs are not a factor in admissions decisions. Andover therefore encourages students to apply regardless of their families’ ability to pay the full cost of tuition.
Financial aid applications are now submitted and processed through Clarity and are due with the general application by February 1, 2027. The fee to submit the application is $65. Please refer to Andover’s financial aid page for the most up-to-date information, as well as detailed instructions on how to submit your application through Clarity.
International Students
Andover welcomes international applicants as part of its commitment to educating “youth from every quarter.” Currently, 18% of Andover’s student body is international!
TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores are requested for students at all grade levels who attend a school outside the United States that is not an English-medium school. Typically, admitted students score at or above: 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 on the IELTS, or 135 on the Duolingo English Test.
International students applying for financial aid will follow the same process as the domestic student. Please refer to Andover’s Financial Aid page for the most up-to-date information, as well as detailed instructions on how to submit your application through Clarity.
Day vs Boarding
As of the 2025-2026 school year, students are able to choose whether to apply to Phillips Academy as a day student or as a boarding student, without restriction. Your choice is a one-time-only option that must be made when the application is submitted to the admission office.
Athletics
Applicants who are interested in competing on one of Andover’s sports teams should fill out the Prospective Student Athlete Form. During the admissions process, prospective student athletes can take the first step in asking about the athletics that Andover has to offer.
Andover has varsity teams for the following sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country
- Cycling
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
Aside from traditional varsity sports, Phillips Academy offers various athletic activities for students to participate in during all seasons. From intramural team sports like basketball and soccer to individual activities like yoga and dance, Andover provides students with opportunities to participate in physical exercise no matter what their athletic interests.
Fall
Badminton | Disc Games |
Walking: Mindful, Morning, Power, with Dogs | Core Fit |
Drumline | Yoga |
Couch to 5K | FFO (Flexible Fitness Option) & FIT (Fundamentals in Training) |
Recreational Basketball, Games, Squash | Creative Writing and Hiking |
Instructional: Crew, Diving, Skating, Tennis, Volleyball | SPIN |
Dance & Dance Fitness | Outdoor Pursuits |
SLAM |
Winter
Dance | Outdoor Pursuits |
SPIN | FFO (Flexible Fitness Option) & FIT (Fundamentals in Training) |
Recreational Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoeing | Yoga |
Intramural & Lower Basketball | Recreational Squash |
Zumba | Morning Walking & Power Walking |
Spring
Abbot Walks & Power Walking | FFO (Flexible Fitness Option) & FIT (Fundamentals in Training) |
SPIN | Badminton |
Instructional: Skating, Tennis, Volleyball | Senior Tennis |
Core Fit | Morning Fitness |
Walking with Dogs | Couch to 5K |
Outdoor Pursuits | Yoga |
Dance & Dance Fitness | Recreational: Basketball, Games, Soccer, Squash, Senior Sports |
Birdwatching |
For more information about Andover’s athletic programs and facilities, please visit the Andover athletics page.
Arts
Andover also offers a wide range of artistic opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.
Browse this list for inspiration for your interview, application essays, and special interest letter of recommendation.
Music & performing arts
Orchestral
- Academy Symphony Orchestra
- Academy Chamber Orchestra
- Chamber ensembles
- Wind ensembles
- Concert Band
- Jazz Band
- Faculty-coached chamber music ensembles
Vocal
- Phillips Academy Chorus
- Choral ensembles
- A cappella groups
- Private music lessons
Theatre
- 6 mainstage productions each year
- Coursework in performance, directing, design, and production
- Student-directed one-act plays
- Opportunities in costume design, lighting, set design, and stagecraft
Dance
- Modern
- Ballet
- Jazz
- Improvisation
- Choreography
- Dance on Camera
- Andover Dance Group
Student groups and clubs
- Hypnotiq (hip-hop dance)
- Blue Strut (modern dance)
- KeyNotes (inclusive a cappella)
- Azure (all-girls a cappella)
- Yorkies (all-boys a cappella)
- Footnotes (tap dance)
- Andover Dance Group (modern, jazz, classical dance)
- Drumline (marching and spirit hype)
- SLAM (step team)
- Handbell Choir (bells in Cochran Chapel)
Visual Arts
- Art history
- Drawing
- Painting
- Ceramics
- Digital art
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Videography
- Weaving
- Architecture
Visual Arts Coursework including art history, drawing & painting, sculpture, weaving, and architecture.
For more information about artistic opportunities at Andover, please visit Arts at Andover.
Conclusion
It can be challenging and stressful to navigate the admissions process at selective schools like Phillips Academy Andover. However, with the proper preparation, you can achieve higher test scores, write compelling application essays, and interview confidently. Test Innovators is here to help you prepare for every step of your admissions journey so that you can put yourself in the best position to succeed.
Preparation Resources:
- Enroll in our Upper School Admissions Prep Courses
- Start preparing for the SSAT
- Start preparing for the ISEE
- Start preparing for the PSAT, SAT, and the ACT test
- Learn more about Phillips Academy Andover
Originally published on October 28, 2021. Updated on June 25, 2024.
