Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which private is your other kid at and why sta over that one for this kid? You need to make that clear in application or they will assume you aren’t serious about sta.

I don't want to necessarily identify myself but my other child is at either Sidwell/GDS. I already said I was applying to the other private my older child attends, but as an option was also considering STA. Primarily because my DS is super sporty unlike my other child who is mostly academically strong. Many have said STA is big on sports. Trying to find the right fit for him.

Sta is a rigorous academic place and has more of a sports focus than sidwell or gds, but it's not "big on sports.". For that, look at St. Johns or Gonzaga. With your other kid at gds or SFS, you need to really figure out if sta is your first choice and make that really clear. Otherwise, just being honest, I don't see then giving one of the very few fourth grade slots for non-bvr boys to your child.

Yes, I realize STA is rigorous academically. My older DC was in the top 10% of their public school class and tested into the county's gifted program. All big 3 schools applied to they were accepted during their application year and is thriving at the school (accepted pre-pandemic). My younger DC as mentioned in the profile has grades all in 90 -100% range in all subjects. But is still young and learning academic skills but tests well like his older sibling. His personality is different so not sure if the school older DC attends is a great fit but of course keeping it as an option (plus would be easier commuting wise).

Oh and my kid is too young for SJS or Gonzaga just yet. It's hard when you're already a Big 3 parent to be in this situation. DS does very well academically but isn't Type A like his sibling.

From others who have been accepted to STA what sorta profile was your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which private is your other kid at and why sta over that one for this kid? You need to make that clear in application or they will assume you aren’t serious about sta.

I don't want to necessarily identify myself but my other child is at either Sidwell/GDS. I already said I was applying to the other private my older child attends, but as an option was also considering STA. Primarily because my DS is super sporty unlike my other child who is mostly academically strong. Many have said STA is big on sports. Trying to find the right fit for him.

Sta is a rigorous academic place and has more of a sports focus than sidwell or gds, but it's not "big on sports.". For that, look at St. Johns or Gonzaga. With your other kid at gds or SFS, you need to really figure out if sta is your first choice and make that really clear. Otherwise, just being honest, I don't see then giving one of the very few fourth grade slots for non-bvr boys to your child.

Yes, I realize STA is rigorous academically. My older DC was in the top 10% of their public school class and tested into the county's gifted program. All big 3 schools applied to they were accepted during their application year and is thriving at the school (accepted pre-pandemic). My younger DC as mentioned in the profile has grades all in 90 -100% range in all subjects. But is still young and learning academic skills but tests well like his older sibling. His personality is different so not sure if the school older DC attends is a great fit but of course keeping it as an option (plus would be easier commuting wise).

Oh and my kid is too young for SJS or Gonzaga just yet. It's hard when you're already a Big 3 parent to be in this situation. DS does very well academically but isn't Type A like his sibling.

From others who have been accepted to STA what sorta profile was your child?

NP—no one was attacking your child, goodness. PP was just saying that if you want a place that’s really “big into sports,” STA may not be that. And just to offer a little perspective, as a fellow “big 3” parent, it’s not a relatively hard situation. You have sibling preference at a big 3, so you’re ahead of most people. Finding the right fit for each child is important, but with the hindsight of multiple kids who have been at “big 3,” most kids would do ok at any of them. If you think sta is a particularly good fit for your kid, then make that clear during the application process, and best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which private is your other kid at and why sta over that one for this kid? You need to make that clear in application or they will assume you aren’t serious about sta.

I don't want to necessarily identify myself but my other child is at either Sidwell/GDS. I already said I was applying to the other private my older child attends, but as an option was also considering STA. Primarily because my DS is super sporty unlike my other child who is mostly academically strong. Many have said STA is big on sports. Trying to find the right fit for him.

Sta is a rigorous academic place and has more of a sports focus than sidwell or gds, but it's not "big on sports.". For that, look at St. Johns or Gonzaga. With your other kid at gds or SFS, you need to really figure out if sta is your first choice and make that really clear. Otherwise, just being honest, I don't see then giving one of the very few fourth grade slots for non-bvr boys to your child.

Yes, I realize STA is rigorous academically. My older DC was in the top 10% of their public school class and tested into the county's gifted program. All big 3 schools applied to they were accepted during their application year and is thriving at the school (accepted pre-pandemic). My younger DC as mentioned in the profile has grades all in 90 -100% range in all subjects. But is still young and learning academic skills but tests well like his older sibling. His personality is different so not sure if the school older DC attends is a great fit but of course keeping it as an option (plus would be easier commuting wise).

Oh and my kid is too young for SJS or Gonzaga just yet. It's hard when you're already a Big 3 parent to be in this situation. DS does very well academically but isn't Type A like his sibling.

From others who have been accepted to STA what sorta profile was your child?

NP—no one was attacking your child, goodness. PP was just saying that if you want a place that’s really “big into sports,” STA may not be that. And just to offer a little perspective, as a fellow “big 3” parent, it’s not a relatively hard situation. You have sibling preference at a big 3, so you’re ahead of most people. Finding the right fit for each child is important, but with the hindsight of multiple kids who have been at “big 3,” most kids would do ok at any of them. If you think sta is a particularly good fit for your kid, then make that clear during the application process, and best of luck.

Thank you! Also, I appreciate the constructive criticism so no offense was taken. I just wanted to throughly explain the academic profile of my DS. Appreciate the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Which is the easiest year to gain admission?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which is the easiest year to gain admission?

Is this the same poster bringing up all of these old STA threads in a row?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which is the easiest year to gain admission?

Is this the same poster bringing up all of these old STA threads in a row?

Like 4 old STA threads in an hour.

There is no easy year. They bring in the most non beauvoir students in 9th but i would not say that is an easy year. I would say your best chances are coming from bvr in 4th.

[Anonymous]

My son got in for 6th grade few years ago from another private
Overall SSAT was around 93
He played an individual sport in a high level
But nothing else to stand out.

[Anonymous]

Not a DC Urban Mom but a St. Albans grad. I got in in 9th grade from a VA private school. I got like a 2350 on the SSAT, was a competitive swimmer, class president in middle school, won a bunch of science fairs. I had a solid interview I guess although I was violently ill the day I visited (tested positive for strep and the flu later that week lol). My family had no connections or anything so I just kind of applied to a bunch of private schools and hoped for the best. I got into SFS, Prep, GDS, Potomac, and STA. Almost went to SFS but decided on STA last minute.

Basically, this thread is insane. Admissions to STA has absolutely nothing to do with who's in office or the alignment of the moon and the stars or whatever you all are on about. Beyond that, STA will not guarantee you admissions to an ivy league college. There were two types of kids who got into good colleges after graduation: The legacies and the super high achievers. If you're an average kid at STA with no legacy or connections, you are basically wasting 50k per year. If you take advantage, though, it's a really great school that will prepare you for whatever your next step ends up being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a DC Urban Mom but a St. Albans grad. I got in in 9th grade from a VA private school. I got like a 2350 on the SSAT, was a competitive swimmer, class president in middle school, won a bunch of science fairs. I had a solid interview I guess although I was violently ill the day I visited (tested positive for strep and the flu later that week lol). My family had no connections or anything so I just kind of applied to a bunch of private schools and hoped for the best. I got into SFS, Prep, GDS, Potomac, and STA. Almost went to SFS but decided on STA last minute.

Basically, this thread is insane. Admissions to STA has absolutely nothing to do with who's in office or the alignment of the moon and the stars or whatever you all are on about. Beyond that, STA will not guarantee you admissions to an ivy league college. There were two types of kids who got into good colleges after graduation: The legacies and the super high achievers. If you're an average kid at STA with no legacy or connections, you are basically wasting 50k per year. If you take advantage, though, it's a really great school that will prepare you for whatever your next step ends up being.

Your comment about college admissions is true of every private school. It is in no way unique to STA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a DC Urban Mom but a St. Albans grad. I got in in 9th grade from a VA private school. I got like a 2350 on the SSAT, was a competitive swimmer, class president in middle school, won a bunch of science fairs. I had a solid interview I guess although I was violently ill the day I visited (tested positive for strep and the flu later that week lol). My family had no connections or anything so I just kind of applied to a bunch of private schools and hoped for the best. I got into SFS, Prep, GDS, Potomac, and STA. Almost went to SFS but decided on STA last minute.

Basically, this thread is insane. Admissions to STA has absolutely nothing to do with who's in office or the alignment of the moon and the stars or whatever you all are on about. Beyond that, STA will not guarantee you admissions to an ivy league college. There were two types of kids who got into good colleges after graduation: The legacies and the super high achievers. If you're an average kid at STA with no legacy or connections, you are basically wasting 50k per year. If you take advantage, though, it's a really great school that will prepare you for whatever your next step ends up being.

Why did you bump a thread started SIXTEEN YEARS AGO and last posted on two years ago to say this?

[Anonymous]

I love this! A 15+ year mega thread. And why not!

[Anonymous]

For a school like STA a decade old thread makes sense. It’s like Eton

[Anonymous]

Plus ca change

[Anonymous]

Trolls are back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this! A 15+ year mega thread. And why not!

Wow, my now 8th grader was but a twinkle in my eye when this thread started. I think I had just flunked my first IVF cycle around that time.