Andover lets applicants add one interview option to the application: an on-campus interview, a virtual interview, or an interview recording. Interviews are conducted through January, and you schedule one in the Andover application portal after you submit the Candidate Profile. The school's pages do not publish interview questions, so preparation means knowing your own story, not rehearsing answers.
What the school says
Andover's Apply page lists the interview as Step 2 of the application. The FAQ states that applicants "are able to supplement their application with one of the following options": on-campus interview, virtual interview, or interview recording. Interviews run through the month of January.
Gateway to Prep Schools, the platform that carries part of the application, lists the interview under optional items. It marks the on-campus and virtual choices as limited availability and the recording as open availability. Because the school's wording is "supplement," ask the admission office whether it expects an interview from your child before you decide to skip one.
The three formats
- On-campus interview. A visit to Andover. The Visit page lists campus tours and interviews together and says families should submit the Candidate Profile first, then view the on-campus schedule in the portal.
- Virtual interview. A conversation by video, scheduled through the portal.
- Interview recording. The student records responses and submits them. The school's pages do not state the length or the prompts, so read the instructions in your portal before you record.
You choose one. Pick the one your child can do naturally, in a quiet setting, without technical stress.
How to schedule
- Submit the Candidate Profile on the Gateway to Prep Schools website.
- Watch for the email with portal login credentials. The school says it arrives 24 hours after submission.
- Log in and use the interview scheduler.
- To cancel or reschedule, return to the portal.
Do this early. On-campus and virtual slots are described as limited, and the school runs interviews through January. The February 1, 2027 deadline for fall 2027 entry is separate from the interview window, so do not let a slow interview schedule hold up the rest of the file. The admissions timeline shows how the months fit together.
What to expect
The school does not publish a question list, a length, or a format for the conversation, and the pages we reviewed do not say whether parents join. Treat the interview as a way for the school to hear the student speak. Here is how a student can prepare:
- Know the file. Be ready to talk about anything on the application: a graded writing sample, a favorite class, an activity, a book.
- Have specific stories. A moment of effort, a mistake and what changed, a time the student asked for help.
- Know why Andover. Read the school's course and activity pages so the answer names real things, not slogans.
- Prepare questions. Two or three honest questions show real interest.
- Practice aloud once or twice. With a recording, listen back for pace and clarity, then record the real one without a script.
For the writing-based parts of the file, see the Andover essays guide.
A preparation plan that fits a few weeks
Because the school publishes no questions, the best preparation is about habits, not content. A student who has two or three weeks can work through this order:
- Week one: collect material. Write down five or six specific things the student has done this year, in class and outside it, with one detail about each: what was hard, what was learned, who helped.
- Week two: talk it through. A parent or another adult asks open questions, such as "What was the best thing you read this year?" or "Tell me about a time you got stuck." The adult listens and does not correct. The goal is easy, specific speech.
- Week three: rehearse the setting. For a virtual interview or a recording, test the camera, the microphone, the light, and the internet connection. For an on-campus interview, plan the trip, the time, and what to wear so the day is calm.
Handling nerves
Most applicants have not done anything like this before. Tell your child that the interviewer expects some nervousness, and that pausing to think is fine. A short, honest answer is better than a long one that drifts. If your child does not know something, saying so plainly and describing how they would find out is a good answer. Avoid coaching a "right" personality. The school is hearing from the student, and a student who sounds like themselves is easier to understand.
How it fits with the rest of the application
The interview is one part of a file that also includes testing, a graded writing sample, an essay, a parent statement, grades, and four recommendations. Do not put more weight on it than on the other pieces. Do not skip the tour either: the school encourages an on-campus or virtual tour for applicants who can do one, and a visit helps your child answer the question of why Andover with real details.
Common mistakes
- Waiting to submit the Candidate Profile. The scheduler depends on the portal login that follows it.
- Memorizing speeches. They sound rehearsed and leave no room for follow-up questions.
- Letting a parent answer. The interview is the student's chance to speak for themselves.
- Choosing a format for convenience only. If the student speaks best in person, use an on-campus slot while one is available.
- Treating the tour as the interview. The school encourages a tour, but it describes the interview options separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does Andover require an interview?
Andover's FAQ says applicants can supplement their application with one of three options: an on-campus interview, a virtual interview, or an interview recording. The Gateway listing shows the interview among optional items, so confirm with the admission office what it expects for your child.
When are Andover interviews held?
The school states that interviews are conducted through the month of January. You can cancel or reschedule through the application portal.
How do I schedule an Andover interview?
Submit the Candidate Profile on the Gateway to Prep Schools website. About 24 hours later the school emails portal credentials, which give access to the interview scheduler.
Can my child do a recorded interview instead?
Yes. The school lists an interview recording as one of the three options. The pages we reviewed do not state its length or prompts, so check your portal.
Getting help
If you want structured support with preparation, see the programs page.
Sources
AndoverPrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Phillips Academy.