Presidential Scholarship
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Anonymous
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My DS just received this award from SJC and accepted into scholars program.
He was also accepted into Gonzaga (no Presidential Scholarship). Now is decision time. Would love to hear opinions on each school. My gut is telling me that Gonzaga is probably a more academically rigorous school. I imagine they also present this same scholarship to applicants, and my son did not get it because academically, the competition was tougher at GZA. A little more info, DS is a quiet, reserved kid, obviously smart. Great sense of humor. Plays sports, but not super athletic (won't be playing varsity sports). He likes both schools and is torn right now. I think he is flattered by the scholarship from SJC. The money is not an issue for us...we just want him to be happy and get the best education. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| I would say that they're about even academic all when you consider that he got into the scholars program. If he had not gotten into the scholars program then Gonzaga has way better academics. Another big factor is if your son wants to be with girls or not because St. John's is co-Ed while gonzaga is only boys. |
Anonymous
| Pick Gonzaga. Much better school than SJC. |
Anonymous
| Why not have him visit both again and I'm sure you guys will attend the new families reception which may help |
Anonymous
I agree completely. |
Anonymous
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I'm familiar with both, and given that he will be in the honors and AP classes and the Scholars seminar at SJC, the academics will be about the same.
It is true that SJC takes a wider range of academic ability, so the middle of the bell curve at SJC will be to the left of the middle of the bell curve at Gonzaga, but when you are far to the right on continuum (as your son will be at either school) there will be little difference. I think your son will need to decide based on the culture of the two schools and which is a better fit. SJC has girls and Gonzaga doesn't. Gonzaga students have a bit more swagger than SJC students. The SJC student body is more diverse economically and racially. Most of the boys at SJC who are in the Scholars program and were offered a President's or Principal's scholarship were also accepted by Gonzaga, so your son is not the first to be making this choice, and either way he will get a good education and have pride in his school. |
Anonymous
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I hope this doesn't sound pretentious or bragging but my son was accepted in GP, GZA and SJC.
He's was offer presidential scholarships at GZA and SJC. So now he doesn't know what to do. HELP! |
Anonymous
OP here. Thank you for a very thoughtful and insightful reply 
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Anonymous
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My perception is that SJC is much better at marketing themselves. They have created a school for everyone. The Benilde program is for those who have learning differences. The De La Salle Scholars program is for the brightest kids who want a more experiencial and challenging academic experience.
Gonzaga seems to be an institution that has a history of excellent education while forming these boys into men for others. It feels like an institution with more heart, more fraternity, more spirit. Not that SJC does not have spirit. It is just a different kind of spirit. Gonzaga seems to be a tight community, perhaps, because all the boys there to help each other and grow together in this very special place. You can't reinvent that in a place like SJC, which is bigger and is co-ed. At the same time, I wonder if SJC is a safer place given where their campus is located. It is a newer facility with lots of new and exciting things being added. They are investing a lot of money. It is easy for a young boy to be seduced by all that glitz. How to help him see through that and look at what is underneath it all. Any insight on the teachers at both institutions? That is one area I don't feel I have a handle on. |
Anonymous
How you compare GP with these two? |
Anonymous
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DS just studied the catalogs of both schools.
Looking at the course selection, SJC is stronger in science and technology. GZA stronger in English. I find it hard to believe that as a freshman at GZA have to choose between biology and art. You can choose to take biology in either 9th or 10th grade, so essentially you have science for only one year in your freshman and sophomore year. Disappointing because DS loves science. Am I missing something here? Also see that SJC has many more choices in extracurricular activities. |
Anonymous
Also GZA offers fewer APs than SJC |
Anonymous
You can't visit GZA for a second time and also there not a new families reception. |
Anonymous
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Yesterday I took another look at the website description of the SJC Scholars program. I have to say that I have forgotten how robust this program is. Although GZA is known for its cohesive community, it appears that the SJC Scholars Program really makes an effort to create an environment for bonding among the students. There are two team building orientation activities, one in the spring of the 8th grade year (yes even before they start freshman year) and one at the beginning freshman year. There are also two international trips that students can take during spring break (not sure if this is open to all SJC students though).
The more I think about it, the more I think this program is truly special -- in a way that GZA cannot deliver. We are going to shadow again at both schools and make a decision soon... |
Anonymous
| You can not shadow at GZA |