St. Albans School - how big a deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we set aside connections for a moment, can anyone tell me what I gain by hiring a STA alum, assuming all other things are equal?

So, let's say I have two applications in front of me. Both attended well-regarded graduate programs in public policy. Both have 3 years of experience living overseas.

Is there any reason to choose the STA alum? Basically, is there any reason to assume that someone who got into St. Alban's did so because they are de facto a cut above? Is it a meritocracy?

You may or may not get connections, but you are perhaps more likely to hire someone with family and roots in dc, who knows dc, and who would be more likely to stay in dc. If your business is such that you invest a lot in training and integration the first few years, in hopes that the best employees will stay long term, this can be very valuable and may tip the scales all else being equal. I went to a relatively unknown local high school and listed it for my first job out of law school (well, for the summer job at a firm I then went to after clerking). Multiple interviewers asked me about the school, whether we knew people in common, etc., and I received offers at all my top choice firms (though I do t think whether I listed my high school had much to do with it). Sure, some people may put it to imply they have connection useful to an employer, which does seem a bit much. I just put it to emphasize that I was coming home to dc and planned to stay. My parents had since moved so I couldn't use their old address, and an adult using their parents' house as an address has it's own issues in perception I would guess.

I'm guessing different businesses work differently. At my firm, no way would HR have a cut in hiring/ranking attorney applicants. And, we care if people are dedicated to DC because aren't a as added with offices everywhere.

If I were applying to Google, as others have mentioned, I'd take a different perspective. But I wasn't, so I didn't.

You're right -- it didn't. It merely gave the interviewers something to talk about. And you listed a "relatively unknown local high school," not St Albans, so interviewers were less likely to be turned off.

Your anecdote doesn't add much to the discussion.

I'm so sorry you are unable to extrapolate. Perhaps STA grads may be in the same situation I was, and also wanting to emphasize local ties. After three years work experience inured in the hypo, it seems late to include any school. I just think including you local high school can be helpful in getting your first professional job in your home town, whether your school is well known or not. I'm so sorry for eating you time sharing my "anecdote " while you are sharing your omniscient wisdom. For clarity, I'm one if the earlier posters who has also been doing associate hiring at a high-regarded law firm since the 1990s. Because I was addressing why people may include local schools, I examined my own thinking. Is that clear enough for you?

God, you lawyers are sensitive and combative! Yeesh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems clear to me that for one of DC's major professions (law) it is normal and non-noteworthy to list a local HS/independent school on the resume when applying to be a summer associate or new associate. Sounds like it's more unusual/not the norm in other regions and/or professions.

I'm not sure what all the argument is about.

Finally. An answer!

[Anonymous]

I applied for a job selling commercial real estate leases at the firm owned by my best friend's dad from my old prep school lacrosse team. I put STA on the resume, and we talked about that for an hour and I got the job!!!

Seriously people, don't ever leave DC. Don't ever leave. The real world is a lot less kind.

[Anonymous]

Neighbor who has been watching the construction at STA fields. Congrats. Looks like you all will have a great facility. Sorry to see another natural grass field go synthetic but that seems to be the wave of the future. I know that it has been a long time in the works but looks like its worth it.

[Anonymous]

Gonzaga grads do this all the time. And it works.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread!
Got no dog in this, just thought it was interesting.

Also, are the people as fit and athletic at Google in DC as they are here in the bay area? It seems like all Iron Men/Women and mountain climbers here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guess I've learned that I have some issues to work out because alums from a very special DC prep school don't agree with me. Wow. No wonder STA grads are happy to be sentenced to serve 30 years wearing a necktie sitting in traffic writing legal briefs if it paid make believe rich money. And yes, it is kind of funny when a UC Irvine grad like me sells his business to a private equity firm goes home for dinner at 5 while the blue blood documents lawyers work away. I didn't get a prep school or Ivy diploma and if I've learned one thing in business it would be none of those schools have departments offering degrees in having balls, courage, toughness and an undeniable work ethic. That is exactly why local prep dolts have the well paid pedantic roles in life they do, and are not the ones to start a business and someday have the thrill to make a real difference and employ a lot of people who support families.

Pot meet kettle. Get over yourself.

+1,000 - seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I am screening resumes, and more than one applicant listed there high school - St. Albans - of the 700 or so other resumes, none listed high schools. What gives? A bit presumptous, eh?

It's his, not "there," and the word you're looking for is pretentious. Ugh, learn to speak English!

Lol, this person is in a position with some hiring authority and can't write properly, but is on here to diss a private school kid who probably has a far greater command of written and spoken english.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually tend to disqualify candidates if they list their high school and are older than about 21 (which anyone I am looking at would be since we don't have undergraduate interns). I figure they are trying to signal to another alum, but I find it annoying and pretentious.

In the age of LinkedIn, this view is dated.

[Anonymous]

Fine than list it on linked in but keep it off the resume unless applying for job from alum...but,if doing that let's be honest the hiring alum knows where you went to school. College, Grad, Business, Law...degrees.