How difficult is it to get into St. Albans for 6th or 7th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are both excellent schools. (STA and SAAS). I suggested looking at the Abbey above so that OP could have some good options. I’m not sure why there is often a DCUM food fight over these two schools. I don’t think it does either school any favors. It’s stupid to keep ranting about which one is better. They both turn out nice, well-rounded and smart kids. I have experience with both schools via husband and son. You cannot go wrong with either one.

They have similar names and most DCUM posters are dimwitted.

Our DS goes to St Alban, and his best friend across the street goes to St. Anselm. Very similar educations, St. Alban's seems to have more contact with girls and better sports. St. Alban's has small classes and extremely dweeby nice kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

[Anonymous]

Your child is not a good fit for Saint Albans. Cross off your list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Consider adding St John’s to your list. V good for sports, I believe.

St. Andrew’s and Bullis have already been mentioned. Have also heard good things about St. Anselms and Mater Dei.

[Anonymous]

And if you’re already applying to Landon and St. Albans, may as well add Georgetown Prep to the list. It doesn’t hurt to apply widely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if you’re already applying to Landon and St. Albans, may as well add Georgetown Prep to the list. It doesn’t hurt to apply widely.

Georgetown Prep doesn't have 6th or 7th grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

Reading comprehension alert? “ an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record “ is probably an academically qualified kid. Half the boys have a B average or less. If STA thinks you can be a B or C student that they have no qualms admitting a connected kid.

Not necessarily good for the kid. Even a B or C average student has to do a lot of work. If they’re going to be an average student they might as well go to an easier school where they’ll have more fun and end up with a higher gpa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

Entry for my son's grade for those years were about 90 percent admitted to our grade all belonged to one of the following clubs: Chevy, Congressional and a few Columbia. All were caucasian and conservative. It was very eye opening. One was on the waitlist and used their Chevy Chase connections to get in over the summer. Several board members belong to Chevy and/or Congo at the time and still do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

Entry for my son's grade for those years were about 90 percent admitted to our grade all belonged to one of the following clubs: Chevy, Congressional and a few Columbia. All were caucasian and conservative. It was very eye opening. One was on the waitlist and used their Chevy Chase connections to get in over the summer. Several board members belong to Chevy and/or Congo at the time and still do.

I’ll take things that didn’t happen for 200, Alex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

Entry for my son's grade for those years were about 90 percent admitted to our grade all belonged to one of the following clubs: Chevy, Congressional and a few Columbia. All were caucasian and conservative. It was very eye opening. One was on the waitlist and used their Chevy Chase connections to get in over the summer. Several board members belong to Chevy and/or Congo at the time and still do.

I’ll take things that didn’t happen for 200, Alex.

DP. Why would you be so sure it doesn’t happen? The CCC Congo mafia has dominated STA forever. The Board, the PA, team parents, you name it. When someone who’s not one of their own gets a position they make sure it’s a puppet or they give the person a hard time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on what you are describing, I'd strongly look into Landon and Bullis.

Good luck with your search.

+1 was just going to write this. Definitely try to highlight his athletic accomplishments and interests in your apps, and connect with coaches ahead of time in his preferred sport(s) if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Most teachers care less, but wrong that admin doesn't pay attention to this, or that "connected" boys are also fine academically. There are socially connected families who paid (steeply) to get a son who performed less well on the admissions testing in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're both fantastic schools but St Anselm's is a much, much easier admit.
My son was did not get into STA for 6th. We called St Anselm's in April of that year and they said they would be happy to have him. They arranged 1:1 admissions testing the following weekend. We have two family friends who had a similar experience in other years (which is why we thought to call St Anselm's)

He ended up going elsewhere due to the commute but but we loved the school.

St Anselm's is an easier admit if your son is good enough—they'll take him, if he scores well, interviews well and seems a good fit. But if your kid doesn't fit the bill, there's no strings to pull, checks to write, etc. Your son was probably exceptionally well-qualified and that's why he had a smooth process—and there are a lot of kids at St. Alban's who wouldn't, because they wouldn't cut it.

St. Alban's is much more likely to accept a candidate for family, sports or money. The process is much more complicated and at the end, works out well... but there's different standards at work.

While true, this generally sways admissions only if the boy is also qualified academically.

The teachers couldn’t care less if the boys are connected. Grades are issued based on merit. Many of those admitted for $$, family connections, and sports don’t do well and end up at mediocre colleges unless the families are wealthy enough to have donated a building somewhere.

Not true. With enough connections - albeit the right ones (White House, Senate, etc) - your kid can get in with an-ok-but-not-necessarily-phenomenal record. I guess the issue is whether he wants to attend. No doubt the boys get great educational training, but the school is really not for every boy.

There are tons of great private and public schools in DC area, good to explore all options!

Entry for my son's grade for those years were about 90 percent admitted to our grade all belonged to one of the following clubs: Chevy, Congressional and a few Columbia. All were caucasian and conservative. It was very eye opening. One was on the waitlist and used their Chevy Chase connections to get in over the summer. Several board members belong to Chevy and/or Congo at the time and still do.

I’ll take things that didn’t happen for 200, Alex.

NP: It absolutely happened. And there are many people on this board who could, but would not, name names.