Anonymous wrote:

So are the various decline posts in the last page or 2 all one imaginary person or different people who all just happen to be choosing Prep?

Who knows? It's STORY LADY, after all! Don't you people recognize her and her amazing son from all the GP-focused threads during application season? The spelling alone should give you a clue.

So are the various decline posts in the last page or 2 all one imaginary person or different people who all just happen to be choosing Prep?

Anonymous wrote:And the GP booster has posted before...I am not convinced the son was even admitted or applied to STA. .

Anonymous wrote:And the GP booster has posted before...I am not convinced the son was even admitted or applied to STA. Make the decision that fits your family and son best -- please don't take advice off an anonymous board like this! (Like SAT scores which are not published, or that one school does a better job at spiritual platform, or another school has more rigorous academics, etc etc etc). You cannot know much of this without being on the inside. Make sure your son "shadows" at these schools and figures out where he feels comfortable and can see himself succeeding.

And for the record, my son does attend STA and we never looked at Prep as we felt it was not in the same ballpark. We looked at Landon, Potomac, GDS, Sidwell. STA stuck out of that group because of the scholar athlete that a PP mentions. My son has thrived, and I hope yours does too, wherever he goes.

Anonymous wrote:Wow! This is awesome. I know I sound like a nerd now, but (I am the one who has a son likely to choose GP) the comments and suggestions are fantastic. Keep it up!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless Catholic religious instruction is a priority or the $7000 difference in tuition fee is important, why would you choose GP over STA?

Oh boy, am I going to jump in here. Why would you be surprised that someone would pick GP over STA? We have been accepted to both and are choosing GP. Here's why:
1. It has the most balanced package of high quality academics, spiritual platform, athletics, facilities, and "gentlemen factor" that we have found anywhere. STA is excellent is many of these categories and arguably better in a few (but not by much) but doesn't have the "combination" of all like GP.
2. GP is larger, and therefore less insular. But for us, not too big.
3. The GP academics alone are supurb. Average SATs at GP are only 48 point lower than STA (yes, I know STA doesn't publish theirs, but the information exists and is available for those who seek). They don't have to apologize against anyone including Sidwell, Potomac, etc.
4. Yes, the environment at STA is much stuffier than GPs. People take themselves very serious there. You can have just as prestigous and quality a program at GP, without the attitude.
5. There is more of a "nerd" factor at STA. We want our boys to be more well rounded.
6. The facilities are great and beautiful at both, but they are superior at Prep. Have you seen their athletic center (it is mind boggling) and the brand new George Center?
7. There is no comparison in the athletics program. STA gets excellent production out of the smaller student base that they have to work with, but Prep's is just on another level.
8. We love the Jesuit program and the "men for others" underpining. And, we are not Catholic. We wanted some spiritual focus. It struck us that STA's was very much downplayed and not as much a part of the day to day.

We have respect and admiration for STA. We would be honored for our sons to be there. But we are blessed with options. It is just not the same level and depth of across the board excellence in all catagories that GP is.

Anonymous wrote:I like the community of GP for my son. It is much more free as I have heard. STA is a bit stuffy, and limited. Was your son accepted to STA? I don't know about you, but I like this kind of conversing because it informs each party. Good job! Lay out all your thoughts!

Anonymous wrote:Unless Catholic religious instruction is a priority or the $7000 difference in tuition fee is important, why would you choose GP over STA?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey here, son was accepted at ST Albans for 9th. I really feel like communicating personally with others accepted to this grade. I want to talk to those who were also accepted about our options. My son is probably turning down STA for georgetown prep.

Yea! We are on the waitlist so the more turn downs the better. We visited both but did not apply to GP - i was surprised how different it felt. So I think if that appeals to you/your son then go for it. I was impressed with GPs academics - the classical curriculum including required Latin seemed to be very rigorous. The facilities and sports are obviously top tier.