Best Advice?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am currently a sophomore at a well off, public High School. Last year, a kid got into Harvard and this year I believe a girl was accepted into Yale. I would like to follow their steps, and go to a good college, preferably an ivy. I am the typical achiever, 3.78 GPA (freshman year), all honors this year, President of Student Council both years, lacrosse and bowler, many volunteer hours at my local children’s library, have contributed to many charities and raised 3,000$ from donations off of a gaming website I made. However, I don’t want to just list my credentials. My only dilemma I have been having is whether or not I should transfer over to this Private High School. I have just as many friends over there as I do in my current school so transition isn’t a problem. I had a teacher my freshman year who now teaches there, and his son went to Yale and is currently in Yale Law School (got a 2400 on SATs). I’ve asked him if I should go over to the private school, and it seems like he said no. He didn’t give a solid answer, but said it was entirely up to me, which it is. I can flourish here at my Public School, but I just know that colleges will look at my transcript and see my history at private school much better than public (because of money), regardless of my previous 2 years there.

The private school still isn’t the most top notch private school, similar to that of a Prep’s sophistication. I don’t know much about their education, but considering it is a private school, their ways and curriculum is probably much different. At my current school, I am in all honors, Pre Calc, Chem, straight A’s. I’ve even sent my transcript over to the admissions office, and have been told I’d be in honors. However, next year I am en route to be taking 5 AP classes at the public school(AP Lang, AP Physics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus, APUSH… I can handle the workload), but I’m not entirely sure what AP classes the private school offers. To me, the only benefit I’d say transferring over would have is the name credential of being a private school. I can transfer mid year, or my philosophy is if I don’t get re-elected for Student Council, I’m going to the private school next year regardless! haha

I enjoy the social community there just as much as I do here at my public school, so the whole transition problem is not an aspect. Simply asking whether or not in my case, transferring over to the private school is the best bet.

In that case…Chance me? Thank you.

2

Private schools are not always evaluated as better than public ones. You can be excellent regardless of the school but it takes more work in some places than others. What about activities, sports, etc. Are you very involved?

3

Yes, somewhat. I try to volunteer and have many hours already. I plan to play lacrosse all 4 years, have been President of the Student Council and will continue to run, am a member of FBLA (future business leaders of America), and am the founder and President of the Debate Club and Stock Club. There is a debate club at this private school, but I heard there is such a thing as class monitor, similar to Class Council but only seniors run. As for extracurricular, at the private school I’d say I’d be only doing lacrosse and the debate club, but of course I could discover more.

4

I know not all private schools are the same but I am very happy at the school I go to! We have 21 APs offered, a ridiculous amount of clubs and our sports teams are fantastic – lots of CIF championships! In addition, our school offers dual enrollment with UCSD. However, seen as though you are already doing so well at your school I don’t think it’s entirely necessary for you to transfer and like the person said above private schools are not always evaluated as above public schools. I personally feel very prepared for college and my siblings who attended the same high school said college was a breeze because of the academic preparation from our school, and it also gives me tons of opportunities for my faith which I love but it is very subjective! Plus it is very academically competitive here and a huge majority in our class has above a 4.0 and plays a sport. I’d make a pros and cons list of both schools! I think you will be very successful at either school! :slight_smile:

5

Heres my pros and cons list: Pros of current public high school;

Lots of extra curriculars
solid relationship with my teachers
sports(not planning on going to college for sports)
Lot of students to compete with
I am on track to be taking 5 AP classes next year

Cons of current public school:
Still not the richest school in my area
not a private school
not that many connections to good colleges

Pros for private school in consideration:
Is a private school
I’m assuming counselors have good connections with good colleges
still sports (not planning on going to college for sports)

Cons for private high school in consideration:
Only know 1 teacher
will be leaving my friends, but still have good friends there
don’t know what classes I will be taking
not sure what extra curriculars are available

P.S. I live in CT, close to Yale. Think that would have any impact or no haha

Also, no matter what I will be volunteering.

From the looks of it, it seems that the only benefit of going to the private school would be the connections and the fact that it’s “private”. What would you do in my position? Will it be worth transferring or no.

What do you think?