Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP, yes the children from Beauvoir will have an admissions advantage to both NCS and STA.

Yes, Beauvoir feeds to NCS just as well as they do to STA. What is remarkable, however, is how little there is on DCUM on the trials and tribulations of getting into NCS. Sexism perhaps?

I don't think it is necessarily sexism...Many people on these boards have sons apparently and secondly, St. Alban's really is the most prestigious school in Washington for boys in the high school level (along with Sidwell) so that is part of the obsession with it.

It's sexism. We simply do not obsess about or daughters in the same way we do about or sons.

[Anonymous]

If we spent a significant amount of money at the school auction, or gave money outright during one of their fund raising drives, though did not have sons enrolled at the school at the time, would STA Admissions somehow note this when it came time for our DS to enroll. In other words, to they track this somehow for future applicants?

[Anonymous]

Is this a joke? Kind of pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we spent a significant amount of money at the school auction, or gave money outright during one of their fund raising drives, though did not have sons enrolled at the school at the time, would STA Admissions somehow note this when it came time for our DS to enroll. In other words, to they track this somehow for future applicants?

There is fund raising management software that has the capability to track this type of information.

Also, on your son's application drop subtle hints of your family's wealth in the essay and on the parents' occupation line. During your tour inquire about further renovations & expansion.

[Anonymous]

If you're talking about trying to buy your way in (and it sounds like you are), be prepared to play in the big leagues. I have a lot of friends who went to St. A's, and a lot of my friends' kids go or went there, and there's some serious money at that school (as there is at Landon, for that matter). Your $1,000 donation to the annual fund is not going to get your kid into the school if he didn't otherwise meet their admissions criteria. Can you underwite a new wing or building? Endow a chair? Then maybe. Otherwise, save your money for a good tutor. And try not to let your desperation show -- it's a big turnoff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we spent a significant amount of money at the school auction, or gave money outright during one of their fund raising drives, though did not have sons enrolled at the school at the time, would STA Admissions somehow note this when it came time for our DS to enroll. In other words, to they track this somehow for future applicants?

If you don't have some other connection to the school I think this could be seen as a negative rather than a positive (unless you donate a building as a PP noted) because it will look like you attempting to buy your way in. And I suspect a donation in the normal range isn't going to be noticed by admissions anyway.

We are considering StA for high school next year - but i have to say I do find some of these posts frightening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a joke? Kind of pathetic.

Listen, the ADs assess test scores, race, athletic-musical-artistic abilities. If you believe some of these posts, they even assess parents' physical attractiveness!! What's so wrong about assessing wealth. I'm not saying it should be the be all and end all. But a factor to be considered as adding value to the school, and the entire educational experience of the student body and their parents, absolutely!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a joke? Kind of pathetic.

Listen, the ADs assess test scores, race, athletic-musical-artistic abilities. If you believe some of these posts, they even assess parents' physical attractiveness!! What's so wrong about assessing wealth. I'm not saying it should be the be all and end all. But a factor to be considered as adding value to the school, and the entire educational experience of the student body and their parents, absolutely!

So right. Isn't super-wealth a type of "diversity" that adds to the school experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we spent a significant amount of money at the school auction, or gave money outright during one of their fund raising drives, though did not have sons enrolled at the school at the time, would STA Admissions somehow note this when it came time for our DS to enroll. In other words, to they track this somehow for future applicants?

My friend told me they're getting ready to raise $25 million to do a massive athletic-fields project, so step right up. The $45 million Marriott Hall is almost finished. The school is built into a steep hill, so they had some engineering hurdles, but it's worth checking out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dont think one of the PP had the #s spot on, there are more than 10 boys admitted from non Beauvoir schools per year. So if the STA class in 4th grade is about 42 or so, from my knowledge almost 50% come from outside Beauvoir. Our year only about 23 boys went on to STA. Some may have been accepted and gone elsewhere, but I don't think the number has been as high as 30 Beauvoir boys in many years. I have heard many times it is around 20-28 Beauvoir boys, which leave 14-22 open slots.

You have got to remember that some of those non-beauvoir slots are going to non-beauvoir siblings and legacies, so it is indeed a 'hard' school to get into. What is interesting though is something like most if not all of the National Merit Scholars came in as C formers, so they do seem to have a pretty good nose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont think one of the PP had the #s spot on, there are more than 10 boys admitted from non Beauvoir schools per year. So if the STA class in 4th grade is about 42 or so, from my knowledge almost 50% come from outside Beauvoir. Our year only about 23 boys went on to STA. Some may have been accepted and gone elsewhere, but I don't think the number has been as high as 30 Beauvoir boys in many years. I have heard many times it is around 20-28 Beauvoir boys, which leave 14-22 open slots.

You have got to remember that some of those non-beauvoir slots are going to non-beauvoir siblings and legacies, so it is indeed a 'hard' school to get into. What is interesting though is something like most if not all of the National Merit Scholars came in as C formers, so they do seem to have a pretty good nose.

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

In 2008, 6 out 10 of the National Merit semifinalists from STA are Beauvoir alum. There were two finalists in '08 one was a Beauvoir alum and the other a non-Beauvoirian.



I'd like to see the Class of 2009 stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we spent a significant amount of money at the school auction, or gave money outright during one of their fund raising drives, though did not have sons enrolled at the school at the time, would STA Admissions somehow note this when it came time for our DS to enroll. In other words, to they track this somehow for future applicants?

My friend told me they're getting ready to raise $25 million to do a massive athletic-fields project, so step right up. The $45 million Marriott Hall is almost finished. The school is built into a steep hill, so they had some engineering hurdles, but it's worth checking out.

Don't be tacky about it though, and do the equivalent of flashing your wallet. Instead, get somebody who knows you and is also close to the school administration or board to advertise your $ potential (presuming it's big).

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many boys from Beauvoir are going to STA for 2009/2010?

[Anonymous]

24-25.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:24-25.

That is VERY low. What happened this year?!?!