Anonymous wrote:I'm in agreement with the PP who had a connection to Saint Albans and thought the admissions process was mostly pretty fair. One way you see this is in the lack of a "spoiled brat" problem at Saint Albans which might otherwise result if there was an environment of money-driven entitlement. An interesting compare and contrast example is Landon, where money allegedly can really tip the scales in admissions, and where the result seems to have been a raging spoiled brat problem that the school is now struggling to come to terms with. If you don't know what I'm talking about, pull out some back issues of Washingtonian, or Google search for Landon lacrosse team or the name George Huguely.

STA has it's share of spoiled brats and some have an attitude of money driven entitlement. Some have a sense of entitlement since they are students at STA. Since you brought up lacrosse I notice Landon has a more successful team than STA in 2010. Why has STA lacrosse changed so radically?

Actually, I'm an alum of a well-known private school, and went to one of HYP for both college and law school. Oh, and I worked in university development through college. So, yes, I'm well aware of the environment. But thank you so very much for trying to "educate" me. Seems as though STA has gotten along pretty well so far without anyone making any assertion that any particular child was admitted solely or unduly as a result of financial influence. Perhaps because such as assertion would require facts, not just speculation engaged in either in an attempt to make the school look bad or to make people feel better about outcomes they aren't happy with. Only on DCUM could musings and speculation be dubbed as giving someone an education!

Really...You must be joking?

I'm in agreement with the PP who had a connection to Saint Albans and thought the admissions process was mostly pretty fair. One way you see this is in the lack of a "spoiled brat" problem at Saint Albans which might otherwise result if there was an environment of money-driven entitlement. An interesting compare and contrast example is Landon, where money allegedly can really tip the scales in admissions, and where the result seems to have been a raging spoiled brat problem that the school is now struggling to come to terms with. If you don't know what I'm talking about, pull out some back issues of Washingtonian, or Google search for Landon lacrosse team or the name George Huguely.

Here we go we the distractions and red herrings from the empty barrel.

It seems like you and the person you quoted are on the same page.

Have you heard of the expression tongue in cheek? Reread and think about it some more.

Actually, I'm an alum of a well-known private school, and went to one of HYP for both college and law school. Oh, and I worked in university development through college. So, yes, I'm well aware of the environment. But thank you so very much for trying to "educate" me. Seems as though STA has gotten along pretty well so far without anyone making any assertion that any particular child was admitted solely or unduly as a result of financial influence. Perhaps because such as assertion would require facts, not just speculation engaged in either in an attempt to make the school look bad or to make people feel better about outcomes they aren't happy with. Only on DCUM could musings and speculation be dubbed as giving someone an education!

Clearly, not a decision maker in any role or capacity in a private educational institution.

Anonymous wrote:

I do not think it's possible to buy admission to St. Albans; if it IS possible, I'm sure it's one of the most difficult schools at which to pull it off. I'm sure STA would love to have the money (the school actually has a much smaller endowment than it should), but the downside of bending the school's standards too far would be too great; the school's ongoing reputation for excellence bears this out. I've had fairly close contact with the school at various points, and I've never been aware of a student about whom others (fellow students, faculty, parents, etc.) have said, "What the h3ll is that kid doing here? Oh, that's right, his mom and dad have a huge bank account." You simply must have SOMETHING compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on.

Do you know how many big STA legacy donors have had children and grand children attend STA over the last 100 years?
(Those seats could have gone to able and more able non legacy and non donors.)

I suspect very few. Legacy and big financial donors to STA have an insignificant impact on admissions to STA.
By the way, are you from a longstanding tradition of public schooling?

It seems like you and the person you quoted are on the same page.

I'm in agreement with the PP who had a connection to Saint Albans and thought the admissions process was mostly pretty fair. One way you see this is in the lack of a "spoiled brat" problem at Saint Albans which might otherwise result if there was an environment of money-driven entitlement. An interesting compare and contrast example is Landon, where money allegedly can really tip the scales in admissions, and where the result seems to have been a raging spoiled brat problem that the school is now struggling to come to terms with. If you don't know what I'm talking about, pull out some back issues of Washingtonian, or Google search for Landon lacrosse team or the name George Huguely.

PP here. When you assert that an educational institution can be outright bought, yes, you are making an allegation of unethical conduct. Ask anyone working in the admissions or development office. And of course something can be a conspiracy without being illegal. I'm not paranoid, just think some of you really need to find fault in this school's process.

Actually, I'm an alum of a well-known private school, and went to one of HYP for both college and law school. Oh, and I worked in university development through college. So, yes, I'm well aware of the environment. But thank you so very much for trying to "educate" me. Seems as though STA has gotten along pretty well so far without anyone making any assertion that any particular child was admitted solely or unduly as a result of financial influence. Perhaps because such as assertion would require facts, not just speculation engaged in either in an attempt to make the school look bad or to make people feel better about outcomes they aren't happy with. Only on DCUM could musings and speculation be dubbed as giving someone an education!

Why are people so dead set on finding fault with this school's admission process? A conspiracy theory at every turn. So what if the school has a wide variety of what it views as a boy's strengths? Seems pretty accurate to me that we all contribute differently.

And to posit an extraordinary donor, and then to guess that his/her son would be admitted with bad grades, etc., seems to be both guesswork and beside the point. Couldn't the same question be asked of any private school, or of any institution in which donors could be viewed as influencing decisions? That it is possible to imagine a financial gift that might cause anyone to consider giving a preference for a student, why assume the worst of St. Albans?

If you are interested in the school for your son, educate yourself on what's relevant to him and apply. If not, just stop already with assumptions about how this school's process must somehow be corrupt or unfair. There are lots of terrific schools, and if you believe you have actual reason to believe that someone else has done anything unethical or not in keeping with the stated admissions process, then feel free to share that information and then send your kid wherever you like.

Textbook case of paranoid ideation.
None of the recent posters have made any of these claims (only this poster). In fact, she fails to understand that fund raising and individual tailored admission criteria, are legal and ethical at private educational institutions like STA.

Why are people so dead set on finding fault with this school's admission process? A conspiracy theory at every turn. So what if the school has a wide variety of what it views as a boy's strengths? Seems pretty accurate to me that we all contribute differently.

Let's no go paraniod here. The poster is not faulting STA. STA is a private school. All private schools need endowments to thrive. Continual fund raising and capital projects and endowment building has been a daily fact of life for these schools for centuries (including HYP). Private education at these 'non profit' institutions is a big business. No one is finding fault just exposing (for minds like you) the unvarnished truths about elite, private educational institutions. It appears the unvarnished truth disturbs your "Alice in Wonderland" views about reality. If you have never attended a prestigious private school, or are not an alumnae/ni, your views are certainly understandable. But, even many of those who did not attend these elite schools know very well this drill.

I do not think it's possible to buy admission to St. Albans; if it IS possible, I'm sure it's one of the most difficult schools at which to pull it off. I'm sure STA would love to have the money (the school actually has a much smaller endowment than it should), but the downside of bending the school's standards too far would be too great; the school's ongoing reputation for excellence bears this out. I've had fairly close contact with the school at various points, and I've never been aware of a student about whom others (fellow students, faculty, parents, etc.) have said, "What the h3ll is that kid doing here? Oh, that's right, his mom and dad have a huge bank account." You simply must have SOMETHING compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on.

Are you the same poster that said the following:

One of the TRUE beauties of STA is that the school has such a broad definition of what constitutes "strength" and celebrates the various ways in which different boys bring their "strength" to the community.

Does this broad definition you espouse make it possible to find something compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on about a boy (even if he is a C student) ?

I think it does. Unbeknownst to you, you have made this argument beautifully.

Why are people so dead set on finding fault with this school's admission process? A conspiracy theory at every turn. So what if the school has a wide variety of what it views as a boy's strengths? Seems pretty accurate to me that we all contribute differently.

And to posit an extraordinary donor, and then to guess that his/her son would be admitted with bad grades, etc., seems to be both guesswork and beside the point. Couldn't the same question be asked of any private school, or of any institution in which donors could be viewed as influencing decisions? That it is possible to imagine a financial gift that might cause anyone to consider giving a preference for a student, why assume the worst of St. Albans?

If you are interested in the school for your son, educate yourself on what's relevant to him and apply. If not, just stop already with assumptions about how this school's process must somehow be corrupt or unfair. There are lots of terrific schools, and if you believe you have actual reason to believe that someone else has done anything unethical or not in keeping with the stated admissions process, then feel free to share that information and then send your kid wherever you like.

I do not think it's possible to buy admission to St. Albans; if it IS possible, I'm sure it's one of the most difficult schools at which to pull it off. I'm sure STA would love to have the money (the school actually has a much smaller endowment than it should), but the downside of bending the school's standards too far would be too great; the school's ongoing reputation for excellence bears this out. I've had fairly close contact with the school at various points, and I've never been aware of a student about whom others (fellow students, faculty, parents, etc.) have said, "What the h3ll is that kid doing here? Oh, that's right, his mom and dad have a huge bank account." You simply must have SOMETHING compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on.

Do you know how many big STA legacy donors have had children and grand children attend STA over the last 100 years?
(Those seats could have gone to able and more able non legacy and non donors.)

I suspect very few. Legacy and big financial donors to STA have an insignificant impact on admissions to STA.
By the way, are you from a longstanding tradition of public schooling?

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the STA admission's office would have diffuculty celebrating the strengths of a C student from a family that just donated $5 million to the STA community? Do you?

I do not think it's possible to buy admission to St. Albans; if it IS possible, I'm sure it's one of the most difficult schools at which to pull it off. I'm sure STA would love to have the money (the school actually has a much smaller endowment than it should), but the downside of bending the school's standards too far would be too great; the school's ongoing reputation for excellence bears this out. I've had fairly close contact with the school at various points, and I've never been aware of a student about whom others (fellow students, faculty, parents, etc.) have said, "What the h3ll is that kid doing here? Oh, that's right, his mom and dad have a huge bank account." You simply must have SOMETHING compelling and non-financial to hang your hat on.