bullis or st andrews

[Anonymous]

Which is easiest to get in? What is ideal kid for them. I have a A- /B student, sports kid. Anyone know acceptance rate?

[Anonymous]

Congratulations, OP! I am a teacher at an independent and you have two excellent options! Why not apply to both and decide later with two offers in hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations, OP! I am a teacher at an independent and you have two excellent options! Why not apply to both and decide later with two offers in hand?

This. We can't know which is easier for your particular child to be accepted because it depends on who is in the existing class and who the other applicants are.

[Anonymous]

Apply to both. Visit, talk to families, go to events, shadow and see when May DC likes. Decide once offers are in hand. Lots of hate on this forum for both schools, but families we know at both are very happy.

If you share more details about interests, you might get more people to weigh in re specific programs or sports at each school.

[Anonymous]

Acceptance rate for both schools is low. Absolutely apply to both.

[Anonymous]

We were at a K-8 and applied to both. I get the sense they’re similar in terms of how competitive admissions is. But they definitely have different feels.

Bullis is bigger, both in terms of number of kids and campus size. It felt a bit shinier (wealthier), but at the same time more like a traditional high school because of its larger size and the fact that it’s non-religious. Sports teams are more competitive than St Andrews.

St Andrews is smaller, and seems to lean into really getting to know each student. The campus is still very nice, but a cozier feel. Sports teams are generally competitive in their league but I think JV rarely cuts. Some sports only have a varsity team (eg, girls soccer, boys lacrosse).

[Anonymous]

I’m seriously do not understand the people who continue to say that St. Andrews’ admissions rate is high. It’s not. They are picky. And if your kid doesn’t mean the right gender/race combination that they are looking for to “even out” the current class, then it doesn’t matter if they have all A’s and amazing test scores and great skills. (Ask me how I know.) I’ve watched too many kids get into every school they applied to but St. Andrew’s simply because they weren’t the right gender/color combination that they will looking for to fill out the current class. Kids should get into a school based on merit, not because they weren’t born the colors or genders that they were looking to fill out the class with. That’s discrimination. But it can’t be proven, because welp, admissions reasons are private. And that sucks.

[Anonymous]

Many families apply to both so I assume they attract similar types of kids. Bullis may lean more athletic both both athletic and non-athletics kids thrive in both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m seriously do not understand the people who continue to say that St. Andrews’ admissions rate is high. It’s not. They are picky. And if your kid doesn’t mean the right gender/race combination that they are looking for to “even out” the current class, then it doesn’t matter if they have all A’s and amazing test scores and great skills. (Ask me how I know.) I’ve watched too many kids get into every school they applied to but St. Andrew’s simply because they weren’t the right gender/color combination that they will looking for to fill out the current class. Kids should get into a school based on merit, not because they weren’t born the colors or genders that they were looking to fill out the class with. That’s discrimination. But it can’t be proven, because welp, admissions reasons are private. And that sucks.

This is true of many independent schools and not discrimination. They are just trying to have a balanced class/grade.

[Anonymous]

They have such a different feel - visit, and I assure you, one will click

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were at a K-8 and applied to both. I get the sense they’re similar in terms of how competitive admissions is. But they definitely have different feels.

Bullis is bigger, both in terms of number of kids and campus size. It felt a bit shinier (wealthier), but at the same time more like a traditional high school because of its larger size and the fact that it’s non-religious. Sports teams are more competitive than St Andrews.

St Andrews is smaller, and seems to lean into really getting to know each student. The campus is still very nice, but a cozier feel. Sports teams are generally competitive in their league but I think JV rarely cuts. Some sports only have a varsity team (eg, girls soccer, boys lacrosse).

My kids seriously considered both and I think this pretty accurate. My oldest graduated from SAES very well prepared for college and happy with her high school experience. She did run into the feeling that it was too small by senior year. However, their network becomes much bigger because the private school community has a lot of connections. For example, she often went to Bullis football games since SAES doesn’t have a team. They have friends from many other schools and that was nice for her.

[Anonymous]

You should be applying to multiple schools because you never know what will happen with admissions. Get to know them during the admissions process and then see what your options are once decisions come out in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should be applying to multiple schools because you never know what will happen with admissions. Get to know them during the admissions process and then see what your options are once decisions come out in March.

+1

Admissions is not guaranteed anywhere. Especially for students who aren't straight A students with strong ECs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m seriously do not understand the people who continue to say that St. Andrews’ admissions rate is high. It’s not. They are picky. And if your kid doesn’t mean the right gender/race combination that they are looking for to “even out” the current class, then it doesn’t matter if they have all A’s and amazing test scores and great skills. (Ask me how I know.) I’ve watched too many kids get into every school they applied to but St. Andrew’s simply because they weren’t the right gender/color combination that they will looking for to fill out the current class. Kids should get into a school based on merit, not because they weren’t born the colors or genders that they were looking to fill out the class with. That’s discrimination. But it can’t be proven, because welp, admissions reasons are private. And that sucks.

I wish you were joking but it is clear you are not. This is a nonsensical position to take. *Obviously* they (and all other schools!) seek balance in class structure. Absolutely no one wants to end up sending their kid to a co-ed, diverse school where 84% of a class of 16 students is one gender and of the same race and ethnicity. Don’t be ridiculous! Every single co-ed, diverse private school carefully constructs a cohort that can make for an enriched learning environment. 🙄

[Anonymous]

When do SAES decisions come out?