Delbarton

I would like my son to apply to Delbarton, but he is not an athlete. Does he stand a chance at admission?

I don’t know much about Delbarton specifically in terms of their admissions requirements; however, I would say generally schools accept a range of students and if your son is a strong student Delbarton would welcome his application. As an aside, I once worked with a someone who had taught at Delbarton and he had only wonderful things to say about the school.

Delbarton, while well known in NJ, is not that well known nationwide, IMO…so you may have to wait a while for a parent familiar with the school to comment.

There was, fairly recently, a parent who seemed to be a huge proponent of all the NJ boys sports powerhouse schools (vs. the New England BS more commonly referenced here), including Delbarton.

One thought that I’ll share with regard to being a non-athlete at school where athletics are big is the issue of fit. If your son is academically strong, I agree with jtdad15 that he would probably be admitted…but the real questions are: Would he enjoy his time there/Would the school serve his needs?

This thread from a few years ago suggests that Delbarton attracts different types of students…

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/747615-pingry-vs-delbarton.html

I know nothing about Delbarton, but I’ve met kids who attend it through debate (I’m in NJ)… most of them didn’t seem remotely athletically inclined.

I personally know several kids who have attended Delbarton. I don’t know much about the school but overall I am quite impressed with the students. Most of the kids I know are strong athletes in a few different sports. However one of them is not so athletically inclined and is more brainy. They all love the school.

Its got a great reputation within NJ. However I do know that it is quite competitive to get in. Good luck

I attended Delbarton quite a long time ago (90s) but I don’t think their focus would have changed much - athletes were just part of the mix. Although sports achievements of the school dominated headlines in local newspapers, I did not feel as though athletics dominated the environment or student body. I played a sport but was more focused in music. In that regard, I thought Delbarton fostered growth in the arts with much support and encouragement. Having a strong athletics program helped many of the non-athletically inclined students give it a try though - such as cross country and swimming. Many of them ended up become quite dedicated to the sport so it was a great way to add a healthy balance.

So yes, your son has a chance of admission despite not being an athlete. Although I played a sport, I can confidently say I was not at a level which would have affected my application. Academics have to be strong, test scores should be excellent, references outstanding of course, and it helps if he is passionate about something in his life with an eagerness to self-develop. After that, the set of interviews matter are really what are key. Delbarton prepares students thoroughly for college interviews, and in turn pays careful attention to candidate interviews.

I am not sure if this reply is too late.

But Yes, if your son is interested in Delbarton, he should 100% apply . I would say about 60% of the student body are into sports. But there is a strong 35%-40% who are engaged in non-athletic activities such as Forensics Debate ( they are the Best Private Forensics team in NJ and ranked nationally ) , the Arts, Music.

Back as a freshman, my son was accepted in Delbarton, Pingry, MKA, Newark Academy, Oratory, and Seton Hall prep. He is NOT an athlete.

We went with Delbarton. It was the BEST DECISION we ever made !!!

He is happy. He is extremely challenged academically. He was always One of the Top 3 students in his middle school and primary school. When he went to Delbarton, One of the First things he said to us over and over again was, " There are so many SMART boys in Delbarton. He saw a whole new world of HIGH ACHIEVING BOYS around him who are just as intelligence or even smarter than him. And he was impressed with MANY boys who were SUPERB Athletes but also Outstanding Academically !

Our son has said many times that overall, Delbarton boys are very respectful of other boys regardless of Grade or whether the boy is an athlete or not. Bullying is not an issue

In our opinion, its what makes Delbarton DIFFERENT from the other schools that we had to choose from.

Your son will NOT just be expose to your typical One Dimensional SMART NERDY boy who is ALL Academics.

Your son will and meet MANY boys who are not only Academically strong but Athletically strong as well.

It is normal to meet multiple students who are both academic achievers but also top athletes.

You do not normally see that until you go to College in Top 1st tier universities or the IVY schools.

Then, we you add the lifelong networking and relationships your son will develop being around a majority of boys who come from EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL and HIGH ACHIEVING families , how can you go wrong ?

The school pride and networking is 100% better than even many colleges that you see out there.

Do not let some MYTHS about Delbarton ever discourage you from applying.

Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Track, Hockey and Wresting are probably the biggest sports in school. With baseball and basketball at the same level in terms of popularity

But there is a whole other side of Delbarton that is not Athletic.

Such as Forensics Debate. There boost over 100-150 members at anytime. It is the BIGGEST CLUB in the school. They are nationally ranked. And 90% of them are Non-Athletes. They are also the MOST TRAVELED Competitive Club in the school. They travel more than enough sports teams to compete.

They just came back from the BY INVITATION ONLY, National championships in Florida and Dallas, TX.

This year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian both are NON-ATHLETES and both are Successful Forensics Debate members.

You have the Arts and Music. There is a highly talented freshman boy who is all three -Pianist, Composer, Singer who will surely make a name for himself someday. he has performed already in Carnegie.

There are boys in the Drama , in Social Outreach, in Mock Trial ,etc.

The amount of activities to chose from is amazing.

There is a Senior who has his own band, can perform using 5 instruments, can sing and performs in various private restaurants in Morris County.

One of the smartest boy;s in this years freshman class is the Freshman Soccer Team Captain, is also in the Lacrosse JV, is already going to be in Calculus, AP Euro History, and AP Chemistry as a rising Sophomore. He was also the President of the Freshman class which shows you his leadership, In addition, there are at least 2 other boys will similar abilities like him.

Good luck to you !

sports are important at delbarton… but aren’t everything. There are a lot of kids who don’t do sports and get involved in the very successful forensics debate program or others who are interested in the fine arts