Getting into St. Albans

[Anonymous]

Question for current STA parents.

Saudi Princes aside, did the AD give you the wink, wink or any type of feedback that may tip their hand as to whether your child is getting a spot or not? At this point, STA has been very queit, while other schools have really gone out of their way to invite us back.

We are new in town, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that the Beavoir boys need only submit their 2nd and 3rd grade report cards to STA (friends have told me this and STA's website confirms this.) My question is, for those other applicants to C Form from public school or other privates, do you send only report cards from 2nd and 3rd grade, or from Pre-K or K onward?

We sent everything from K forward.

[Anonymous]

Hi.

We are applying for 7th grade and just got his SSAT scores. He had taken practice tests which indicated he was around 93% of the national percentile, so we thought we were in good shape. He scored similarly on the actual test, but while his national percentile is around 93%, his SSAT percentile was 70%. I've read that STA's average SSAT is about 80%, so we are pretty bummed.

He is a very good athlete who attends a good school. Does he even have a chance with this kind of SSAT? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi.

We are applying for 7th grade and just got his SSAT scores. He had taken practice tests which indicated he was around 93% of the national percentile, so we thought we were in good shape. He scored similarly on the actual test, but while his national percentile is around 93%, his SSAT percentile was 70%. I've read that STA's average SSAT is about 80%, so we are pretty bummed.

He is a very good athlete who attends a good school. Does he even have a chance with this kind of SSAT? Thanks.

Can't answer except to say we are in a similar boat (but at 80ish%, with high 90's national.). They were lower than we expected based on previous testing. I don't know if they are low enough to be shut out or not. Everything else is very strong.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. Needless to say, we are shocked. The Princeton Review book indicated that his scores were right around the low 90th national percentile, but we had no idea that translated into a 70th percentile for those who take the test.

Any other thoughts out there? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say whether your son's scores would be problematic. It really depends on the pool of applicants.

If most of them have similar scores as your son, then I would say your chances are good. If everyone else has scores in the 90th percentile (seems like everyone on these boards have 99% children, but it can't be the reality), then it may even be difficult for someone with an 85% to get accepted.

In the end, STA has to fill its slots with the pool of boys that apply. While they may say that they are looking for a minimum range in scores, they need XX number of students to run their school.

If the rest of his application looks good, then that is a positive! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Most of the people on this board seem to have younger children, and so most of the discussion centers around WPSII or WISC testing. For SSAT's the percentages are usually much lower, and from what admissions officers have told me, above 70 is considered solid. If your son has other factors in his favor, I doubt that his score alone will disqualify him, unless all the other applicants are in the 90's, which is statistically unlikely.

[Anonymous]

Son is in 7th grade at STA, entered in 6th. His ISEE percentiles were all 70s and 80s, with (as I recall) one really high number in reading comprehension. Good grades from strong VA public...but he's not a freak genius. Good athlete, but no prodigy. No particular art/music achievement. VA kids are perhaps a little advantaged in that they're underrepresented there. Basically a well-rounded kid who comes across as a nice boy. I believe the most selective DC privates are somewhat like the Ivies in that they could fill classes with uber-smart kids...so they're seeking to create a well-rounded class. I think STA in particular is looking for a good fit for their strong culture...so it's not all about numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Son is in 7th grade at STA, entered in 6th. His ISEE percentiles were all 70s and 80s, with (as I recall) one really high number in reading comprehension. Good grades from strong VA public...but he's not a freak genius. Good athlete, but no prodigy. No particular art/music achievement. VA kids are perhaps a little advantaged in that they're underrepresented there. Basically a well-rounded kid who comes across as a nice boy. I believe the most selective DC privates are somewhat like the Ivies in that they could fill classes with uber-smart kids...so they're seeking to create a well-rounded class. I think STA in particular is looking for a good fit for their strong culture...so it's not all about numbers.

Thanks for this post. By "good grades" do you mean mostly A's and B's or all A's or what?

[Anonymous]

Mostly As, perhaps a B or two -- not straight-As.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mostly As, perhaps a B or two -- not straight-As.

This is the best post ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Son is in 7th grade at STA, entered in 6th. His ISEE percentiles were all 70s and 80s, with (as I recall) one really high number in reading comprehension. Good grades from strong VA public...but he's not a freak genius. Good athlete, but no prodigy. No particular art/music achievement. VA kids are perhaps a little advantaged in that they're underrepresented there. Basically a well-rounded kid who comes across as a nice boy. I believe the most selective DC privates are somewhat like the Ivies in that they could fill classes with uber-smart kids...so they're seeking to create a well-rounded class. I think STA in particular is looking for a good fit for their strong culture...so it's not all about numbers.

Thanks for this post. By "good grades" do you mean mostly A's and B's or all A's or what?

How has he been doing? Is he challenged or overchallenged? Does he like the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mostly As, perhaps a B or two -- not straight-As.

This is the best post ever.

why?

[Anonymous]

It's the "best post ever" because it shows that you don't have to be a genius or particularly special to get into St. Albans. It also shows that entitled Beauvoir students don't have a lock on the school. It debunks the myth surrounding this "exclusive" school. It shows that's the school's reputation must be inflated. Is that enough info for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's the "best post ever" because it shows that you don't have to be a genius or particularly special to get into St. Albans. It also shows that entitled Beauvoir students don't have a lock on the school. It debunks the myth surrounding this "exclusive" school. It shows that's the school's reputation must be inflated. Is that enough info for you?

NP, Yup overblown rep. Wish I had better options, but none really at the moment.