Anonymous wrote:There is definitely a "look". I don't think my husband and I share it but my son has it.
Most parents do although less in the upper school. By then everyone is either haggard or has the alien/plastic surgery look.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why are the sports to bad?

They aren’t prioritizing athletics that much. If they a boy does get selected because of athletics, he still needs to be an excellent student. STA doesn’t dominate any sports. They can’t compete with the best schools in sports. It’s not that type of school. If you are looking for that, check out Gonzaga, SJC, or some of the other WCAC schools. Even Sidwell for basketball.

Then why does the school offer summer remedial classes for athletic recruits? (There is another post somewhere about summer school).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, family has to fit a mold in most of the early years. It's a shame because this mold is not a great one (IMO).

by 9th, your son really has to bring something special that sets him apart from every other boy with straight As who plays a sport.
they're looking for kids who are either going to be varsity starters really early on (so very top players on team sports) or excel
in an individual sport (e.g. very top runner or swimmer--the kind that will place top 5 in the city and make the Washington Post).
my kid was admitted in 9th and looking at who else was, almost everyone had a "hook".
Sure, there are a couple of well-rounded kids who slipped through (and a few siblings) but otherwise, you could literally point out at accepted student events: "oh, that's the runner, that's the swimmer, those two are here for basketball, oh he's champion tennis player, that's the Math counts champ, etc".

You spoke on some things I posted right before your post. I’m the post who said son had straight A’s and plays chess, robotics, and a sport and still was denied. He was applying for grade 7, not 9th and won a robotics contest the prior year, a chess contest, and competed in tournaments for his sport. If that isn’t enough merit, then I don’t know what is. Merit counted for nothing.

Sadly OP, your son must not "look the part". They look for a certain "look". Sorry it worked out that way. Happened to my dd...it is a bummer but realize life does go on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes, family has to fit a mold in most of the early years. It's a shame because this mold is not a great one (IMO).

by 9th, your son really has to bring something special that sets him apart from every other boy with straight As who plays a sport.
they're looking for kids who are either going to be varsity starters really early on (so very top players on team sports) or excel
in an individual sport (e.g. very top runner or swimmer--the kind that will place top 5 in the city and make the Washington Post).
my kid was admitted in 9th and looking at who else was, almost everyone had a "hook".
Sure, there are a couple of well-rounded kids who slipped through (and a few siblings) but otherwise, you could literally point out at accepted student events: "oh, that's the runner, that's the swimmer, those two are here for basketball, oh he's champion tennis player, that's the Math counts champ, etc".

You spoke on some things I posted right before your post. I’m the post who said son had straight A’s and plays chess, robotics, and a sport and still was denied. He was applying for grade 7, not 9th and won a robotics contest the prior year, a chess contest, and competed in tournaments for his sport. If that isn’t enough merit, then I don’t know what is. Merit counted for nothing.

Anonymous wrote:I must say that it's nice that you're getting to practice your 'where is the merit' whining now, so you can repeat it 4-6 years from now when your kids are rejected from college.

Anonymous wrote:I must say that it's nice that you're getting to practice your 'where is the merit' whining now, so you can repeat it 4-6 years from now when your kids are rejected from college.

Anonymous wrote:I must say that it's nice that you're getting to practice your 'where is the merit' whining now, so you can repeat it 4-6 years from now when your kids are rejected from college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then why are the sports to bad?

They aren’t prioritizing athletics that much. If they a boy does get selected because of athletics, he still needs to be an excellent student. STA doesn’t dominate any sports. They can’t compete with the best schools in sports. It’s not that type of school. If you are looking for that, check out Gonzaga, SJC, or some of the other WCAC schools. Even Sidwell for basketball.

Anonymous wrote:yes, family has to fit a mold in most of the early years. It's a shame because this mold is not a great one (IMO).

by 9th, your son really has to bring something special that sets him apart from every other boy with straight As who plays a sport.
they're looking for kids who are either going to be varsity starters really early on (so very top players on team sports) or excel
in an individual sport (e.g. very top runner or swimmer--the kind that will place top 5 in the city and make the Washington Post).
my kid was admitted in 9th and looking at who else was, almost everyone had a "hook".
Sure, there are a couple of well-rounded kids who slipped through (and a few siblings) but otherwise, you could literally point out at accepted student events: "oh, that's the runner, that's the swimmer, those two are here for basketball, oh he's champion tennis player, that's the Math counts champ, etc".

Anonymous wrote:Then why are the sports to bad?