Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't mean shared culture upon entry (although that may be true too). I meant that this school inspires a definite culture -- STA does things this way, not that. We at STA don't do that. We're STA men. Yata yata yata. But after 6-9 years, it almost is indoctrinated, so the bonds that are formed at that school are maybe stronger than elsewhere. And some people want their kids in that type of culture.

Do you think this "shared culture" has any room for any sort of diversity? Just trying to figure out how this indoctrination process at this "institution" affects non-legacy boys from more diverse backgrounds.

In any event, I'm completely on board with the academic and athletic excellence that the school inspires.

[Anonymous]

I think I'm "diverse"...or my child is. I really wasn't trying to toot STA's horn. The question was asked, why all the hoopla about STA? There are other great schools. So I thought to myself, one of the things which strikes me as different about STA is that the boys really identify with the school at the end. It's like they went through some important experience together. I don't know if kids from even great schools like Sidwell come out feeling like "Sidwell men and women", or if they feel a unique bond to eachother throughout life. But from what I have heard, the STA boys remain connected. Maybe partly it's being in an exclusive "club", but I think partly it's from the years of being made to feel the school was as important as the individual. As a result, the men of STA go through life together...I'm sure they'll be groomsmen at eachother's weddings and pallbearers at eachother's funerals.

But that was just my take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm "diverse"...or my child is. I really wasn't trying to toot STA's horn. The question was asked, why all the hoopla about STA? There are other great schools. So I thought to myself, one of the things which strikes me as different about STA is that the boys really identify with the school at the end. It's like they went through some important experience together. I don't know if kids from even great schools like Sidwell come out feeling like "Sidwell men and women", or if they feel a unique bond to eachother throughout life. But from what I have heard, the STA boys remain connected. Maybe partly it's being in an exclusive "club", but I think partly it's from the years of being made to feel the school was as important as the individual. As a result, the men of STA go through life together...I'm sure they'll be groomsmen at eachother's weddings and pallbearers at eachother's funerals.

But that was just my take.

Thank you for sharing this. As corny as this may sound, a culture of connectedness is what I want my son to experience.

[Anonymous]

Landon is very much like this too. There's this whole "Landon boy" culture; the alums are VERY active, and I meet grown men all the time who talk in glowing terms about their time there. For some boys, this is a very attractive environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In my view, the academic "super stars" are members of STA's Cum Laude Society (academic honorary). Of the 16 members in '08 who were inducted, 7 of the 16 were Beauvoir alum. Many of its members were also '08 National Merit semifinalists. Again, unclear when the other members (9) were admitted at STA.

Class of 2008

National Merit Semifinalists: 5 from Beauvoir (All from the same 3rd grade class, actually), 1 entered in 5th, 3 entered in 7th, 1 entered in 10th

Cum Laude: 6 from Beauvoir, 1 entered in 4th, 1 entered in 5th, 5 entered in 7th, 1 entered in 8th, 2 entered in 9th

8 of the 10 National Merit Semifinalists were also members of Cum Laude

So are you saying in your graduating class that roughly 23% of Beauvoir alum were National Merit Semifinalists and about 27% were members of Cum Laude?

There were 22 Beauvoir alum in the 2008 graduating class, correct?

Oh, my God.

[Anonymous]

"I am not a member of the class of 2008, although I know several families with sons at St. Albans."



How can an adult be a member of the class of 2008? Oh, brother!

[Anonymous]

"As a result, the men of STA go through life together...I'm sure they'll be groomsmen at eachother's weddings and pallbearers at eachother's funerals. "

Kids from other schools don't do the same?

[Anonymous]

"We at STA don't do that. We're STA men."

LOL! What are the divorce and arrest rates for STA men?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how many Beauvoir students have accepted admission at St. Alban's for next school year?

I know of 15 confirmed acceptances.

[Anonymous]

If you really want kids to come out of a school with a sense of belonging to an institution, try boarding school. I'm not sure, however, that such fervent school ties are a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We at STA don't do that. We're STA men."

LOL! What are the divorce and arrest rates for STA men?

Would you be disappointed to find out they were lower?...or...what IS your point, anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"We at STA don't do that. We're STA men."

LOL! What are the divorce and arrest rates for STA men?

Would you be disappointed to find out they were lower?...or...what IS your point, anyway?

Being smart, rich, and powerful has nothing to do with divorce or arrest rates.

[Anonymous]

Regarding the number of confirmed Beauvoir acceptances this year (PP stated 15), does this seem low to any of you? My sense has always been that Beauvoir students account for more like 25-28 spots at STA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regarding the number of confirmed Beauvoir acceptances this year (PP stated 15), does this seem low to any of you? My sense has always been that Beauvoir students account for more like 25-28 spots at STA.

PP said that she "knows of 15 acceptances." These could be the families that she feels most comfortable asking whether or not their sons got in. And the kids are told not to talk about their early acceptances at school.

[Anonymous]

If NCS and STA are on the same admission schedule then NONE of the acceptances have been announced, even for the "garunteed" admits.