Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

I think this applies to private independent primary and secondary schools.

[Anonymous]

Oh my gosh! You mean there was a scandal, at a California elementary school, about a donor and improper conduct. Well surely we should generalize from that. And it must mean that elite universities admit kids based on undue financial influence. And that the STA admissions committee in particular can be bought! Signing off this crazy thread.

Oh my gosh! I think I'm going to faint. STA does not accept the children or grandchildren of big financial donors.

[Anonymous]

http://www.ispginc.com/home

Need to increase the STA endowment? You may consider consulting services like the one above to improve that bottom line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STA has it's share of spoiled brats and some have an attitude of money driven entitlement. Some have a sense of entitlement since they are students at STA. Since you brought up lacrosse I notice Landon has a more successful team than STA in 2010. Why has STA lacrosse changed so radically?

I would imagine it's a case of Landon going all out to make sure the lacrosse program as strong, or people flock to Landon because they know the program is going to be good (hasn't the coach been there for his whole life?). At St Albans they probably let the lacrosse program ebb and flow depending on the players and coaches that happen to be with the team at a given moment. I think at St Albans the baseball program is always tough to beat in the way that the Landon lacrosse program is always powerful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:STA has it's share of spoiled brats and some have an attitude of money driven entitlement. Some have a sense of entitlement since they are students at STA. Since you brought up lacrosse I notice Landon has a more successful team than STA in 2010. Why has STA lacrosse changed so radically?

I would imagine it's a case of Landon going all out to make sure the lacrosse program as strong, or people flock to Landon because they know the program is going to be good (hasn't the coach been there for his whole life?). At St Albans they probably let the lacrosse program ebb and flow depending on the players and coaches that happen to be with the team at a given moment. I think at St Albans the baseball program is always tough to beat in the way that the Landon lacrosse program is always powerful.

If you look at the website, on average 5 or so STA boys go on to pay college-level lacrosse. I thought that was impressive. What are Prep and Landon's numbers like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I do not think it's possible to buy admission to St. Albans; if it IS possible, I'm sure it's one of the most difficult schools at which to pull it off. I'm sure STA would love to have the money (the school actually has a much smaller endowment than it should), but the downside of bending the school's standards too far would be too great; the school's ongoing reputation for excellence bears this out. I've had fairly close contact with the school at various points, and I've never been aware of a student about whom others (fellow students, faculty, parents, etc.) have said, "What the h3ll is that kid doing here? Oh, that's right, his mom and dad have a huge bank account." You simply must have SOMETHING compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on.

Do you know how many big STA legacy donors have had children and grand children attend STA over the last 100 years?
(Those seats could have gone to able and more able non legacy and non donors.)

I suspect very few. Legacy and big financial donors to STA have an insignificant impact on admissions to STA.
By the way, are you from a longstanding tradition of public schooling?

I think most private schools have put their money where their mouth is in demonstrating more socioeconomic inclusiveness in that past 20 years. They have even changed their classification from "private school" to "Indep. School". PP is barking up wrong tree.

[Anonymous]

Of course, as you cogently argue, independent school signifies admissions independent of legacy, sibling, zip code, big donor and higher socio-economic status. Clearly, explains why admissions to STA is need blind and independent.

[Anonymous]

Are any Beauvoir applicants wait-listed? If so, how does that work timing-wise. In other words, does STA make offers to their "first tier" non-Beauvoir applicants first, and based on the yield, then offer to the wait-listed Beauvoir applicants whatever slots remain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any Beauvoir applicants wait-listed? If so, how does that work timing-wise. In other words, does STA make offers to their "first tier" non-Beauvoir applicants first, and based on the yield, then offer to the wait-listed Beauvoir applicants whatever slots remain?

This definitely happens at NCS, even as late as summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course, as you cogently argue, independent school signifies admissions independent of legacy, sibling, zip code, big donor and higher socio-economic status. Clearly, explains why admissions to STA is need blind and independent.

smart a** comment aside, I believe" independent" school means that they choose their own curriculum, plan their own budget, have teachers on yearly contract only etc.. as opposed to school board setting curriculum or "no child left behind" nonsense , unionized teachers ,etc. Every private school is more diverse than it was 50 years or even 40 years ago. That is the point.And yes , it is easy as pie to fill a school with children who are racial or ethnic minorities and still have them be legacies and full pay families who donate tens of thousands of dollars yearly. This is Washington, after all and it is not 1950 anymore.

[Anonymous]

We received our STA acceptance letter today!

[Anonymous]

Don't they also notify on March 4, or is this poster attempting a joke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We received our STA acceptance letter today!

For what grade? Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't they also notify on March 4, or is this poster attempting a joke?

We got ours (waitlist) on this day last year, might even have been Tuesday.

[Anonymous]

STA letters were mailed on March 1st.

Students accepted into grades 6 and up can schedule another shadow day for next week.

There is a reception for accepted students and their families on March 10th from 5-6pm at the school.