Anonymous wrote:Athletics still provides a big hook for STA grads into top universities. In each class, at least 10-15 will be recruited (for soccer, football, crew, lacrosse, and baseball). That is an important thing to consider.

Soccer, yes, because they are an area powerhouse.

Crew and lacrosse, yes, because those are traditional prep school sports and their rowers and laxers do get recruited by great schools.

But football? I think not. If you are a recruitable player, you need to look at places like Bullis or SJC.

Athletics still provides a big hook for STA grads into top universities. In each class, at least 10-15 will be recruited (for soccer, football, crew, lacrosse, and baseball). That is an important thing to consider.

Great post PP.

I think this can be said about several other IAC schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do athletes get a huge "hook"?

As it pertains to a school like STA, being a top athlete is a clear differentiator when the assumption is that all boys admitted to STA likely meets the 3.9 - 4.0 academic / 90%+ SSAT threshold.
A scholar who is also a high level athlete in a given sport will almost always have an edge. That's just the way it is. I'd prefer that to a boy getting admitted just because Dad went to STA decades ago.

Oh my word! As the parent of more than one STA boy, and as someone who's been on the Close for over a decade, I'd say there's a lot of unreliable information being spun out on this thread. A lot of mythologizing too. Let's be clear, not every boy at STA is a high-level athlete. In fact, most of boys at STA aren't "high-level athletes" by anyone's measure. Many of the boys, but not all of them, enjoy playing sports, but they like lots of other things too. Some folks here seem to think that STA has recently dedicated itself to becoming a sports factory for high-level athletes. That's simply not true. Athletes don't get a huge hook relative to any other talent -- it's part of the mix for sure, but not the trump card. STA admits and values boys who are math whizzes AND boys who are composers or painters AND boys who are poets AND boys who are great lacrosse players. Ask anyone who knows a class at STA -- the class is filled with a wonderful mix of kids.

And it's definitely not true that "all boys admitted to STA meet the 3.9 - 4.0 academic/ 90%+ SSAT threshold." Many STA boys do meet those thresholds. But some STA boys, and certainly a fair number of STA's relatively small number of high-level athletes -- have qualifications below those metrics.

Bottom line: just like many other strong schools around here and elsewhere, STA brings in lots of different kinds of boys -- the admissions team does a wonderful job of assembling for each class a group of boys who bring different strengths to the table. That mix of backgrounds and interests is an important part of what makes STA a nice place to go to school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do athletes get a huge "hook"?

As it pertains to a school like STA, being a top athlete is a clear differentiator when the assumption is that all boys admitted to STA likely meets the 3.9 - 4.0 academic / 90%+ SSAT threshold.
A scholar who is also a high level athlete in a given sport will almost always have an edge. That's just the way it is. I'd prefer that to a boy getting admitted just because Dad went to STA decades ago.

Die hard athletes can change the culture of a school particularly certain sports.

Anonymous wrote:Why do athletes get a huge "hook"?

As it pertains to a school like STA, being a top athlete is a clear differentiator when the assumption is that all boys admitted to STA likely meets the 3.9 - 4.0 academic / 90%+ SSAT threshold.
A scholar who is also a high level athlete in a given sport will almost always have an edge. That's just the way it is. I'd prefer that to a boy getting admitted just because Dad went to STA decades ago.

Anonymous wrote:Why do athletes get a huge "hook"?

A couple of reasons:

1.) Success in sports raises the profile of a school, even an Ivy
2.) Lots of alum like to watch their alma mater play and win at sports and happy alum give more
3.) Athletes are often more well-rounded (have juggled their school and sports commitments, learned teamwork and collaboration) than non-athletes, so all else being equal with grades and scores, a great bet.

I say this as a non-athlete myself, with one kid who is a great student, and another kid who is both a great student and a top athlete, so I think I'm pretty unbiased. It makes me sad that my non-athlete kid will have a harder time getting into a top school but I do understand why.

Why do athletes get a huge "hook"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

Why are you so invested in this thread if you are at another school?

Right. I think it's time for PP to get to her homework, since "we" are at STA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

Why are you so invested in this thread if you are at another school?

I am still licking my wounds and I'm keeping my options open.

I would tone it down as your posts scream PITA parent especially calling other parents boneheads and talking ivies so early?

Im a different poster than one you are speaking to above but, I have to tell you, for the PP you are addressing, its not "early to be talking about her kid going to an Ivy" at all. Sounds like she has a kid who is both really smart and an exceptional athlete. When you have a kid who is both - super smart and a great athlete, people started talking to you about that kid going to an Ivy well before highschool. In some cases in 7th or 8th grade (and Im speaking from personal exprience).

I am very aware that parents of non-athletic kids get angry about this but its just the truth - kids who are exceptional athtletes (in certain sports) and are great students, are going to start talking/being talked to about going to an Ivy long before junior or senior year. I have a kid who is one of those kids and I also have a kid who isn't. Its sucks for the non-athlete. But it is what it is, life.

One of my kids is at STA, by the way. And the truth of the matter is that, for a great athlete, its a whole differnt ball of wax. This is exactly WHY schools like STA want boys who are both - really smart and great athletes - becasue those kids are highly desired by the top colleges and universities in the country. Just being really smart isnt enough any more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

Why are you so invested in this thread if you are at another school?

I am still licking my wounds and I'm keeping my options open.

I would tone it down as your posts scream PITA parent especially calling other parents boneheads and talking ivies so early?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

Why are you so invested in this thread if you are at another school?

I am still licking my wounds and I'm keeping my options open.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

This is very repetitive. You already told us this earlier in the thread. We go it. You’re kid is brilliant and an athlete.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.

Why are you so invested in this thread if you are at another school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lax players or basketball players who can also play football are especially coveted. Send in a highlight tape with your application. I kid you not. Worked for us.

I was waitlisted last school year. I was told we should try again this admission season but I will not. I am familiar with two of the last bunch of kids admitted last admission cycle. Those kids are excellent students with great scores and grades. They are also great athletes, football, basketball, lacrosse. STA is moving into that direction. The question is, will they be able keep them? These kids have a lot to offer, and from what I’ve seeing of the coaching environment, I am not sure. I for one, will not reapply.

Well one could ask if they will be able to keep current students that feel their spot on a team was taken or if they don’t like the values and culture change that could come with changing the focus from academics to athletics. Some boys don’t want that type of culture or else they would have chosen a different school than STA.

Current STA parent here - this is not an STA attitude, PP. No one OWNs a spot on a team. You earn it. Every season. Every game. If a new boy comes in at 9th who is better at try outs, thats life. Work harder. STA has never been a "trophy for everyone" school and that isnt changing.

Of course not but if they want to play a sport and the team gets filled with boys that are admitted on athletics, STA could lose some really brilliant kids who will be very successful future leaders. That would be a shame to start filling up STA with a focus on athletic prowess rather than academic and more importantly the values and character of the applicants.

PP here. My goodness you are so boneheaded. As much as you wish it not to be those are student athletes they are admitting. No one is coming into STA if they don't have the scores. That much was made clear to us. These student are leaders on and off the field. Things may be different if you're so and so kid, or a big donor of some sort, meaning your package may not have to be as stellar. STA has few spaces and lots of qualified applicants. My kid had 91% ssat math score and lower reading, but a 3.9 gpa and impressive EC's. Guess what? We were still waitlisted. Other schools jumped at us. We already have top DI schools checking out dc low-key. Our current school implied that if DC keeps his current academic and athletic focus, the ivies are within our whelm of potential schools, essentially we will have many choices. With that being said, it seems that STA is looking for exceptional students. And again from what I have seen nothing is being dumb down for anyone. You just have to up your game, that's all.