<p>i posted this in the high school section but didn't really get any responses so i thought i'd try my luck here :P</p>
<p>hi</p>
<p>my dream is to be a broadway performer (of course there are many like that :P).. i currently go to a private school (very strong in academics) where we study IB (which is of course VERY tough). i'm a junior right now but i want to transfer for my senior year to a performing arts boarding school such as interlochen/idyllwild/walnut hill. my school's music and drama department is very poor and they hold a school musical every.... 2 years. i do dramas and musicals outside of school. i do have singing/acting/dancing training under my belt but i feel like i'll get intense training at a performing arts school.</p>
<p>my mom's against it because it's just one year and feels that it won't 'make much of a difference' and since i'm half way through IB, why not just stand one more year.. but i feel that even ONE year at a school focused on the performing arts WILL make a difference.</p>
<p>oh btw, IB doesn't really count that much towards admission.. maybe just for credits.. correct me if i'm wrong. i do SATs externally and only this really counts right? if i go to a performing arts school, which does not do IB, where i can focus on theatre AND SATs, i think it'll be beneficial for me.. but my mom won't buy it.</p>
<p>I'm in an IB school also... its weird to start the IB and then not get your IB deploma. But if you transferred and did very well at your school I think it would show your passion and commitment. I say go for it. Just my opinion....</p>
<p>yeah i was thinking that it'll be a waste of a year if i just left in the middle of the IB program and not get the diploma but an art school would be heaven for me LOL!!</p>
<p>i'm just going to apply anyway, even though changing for Senior Year is a bit.. problematic..</p>
<p>You may want to consider applying as a repeat 11th grader at those arts-focused boarding schools, so that you have enough time/experience at one of the schools before having to start your college application process.</p>
<p>i was thinking about that but i come from a British school curriculum, so it goes up to year 13.. so basically i'm already one year older than people in my year in the American curriculum and repeating would make me two years older and that's a bit... you know... :P</p>
<p>If I were you, I would stick it out at your current school. The reason I say this is because I feel it would be better to finish out at your school having all the extracurriculars you've accumulated than to transfer more than halfway through high school to a new school where you would not be able to reap any of the benefits. A performing arts school is an amazing experience but I think it takes more than just a year to fully appreciate that, or take advantage of it. I really hope that you find what's best for you though.</p>
<p>My daughter transferred for her senior year from a small, rural public high school to a performing arts high school (Idyllwild) and it was the BEST thing she ever did. She too, is dreaming about a life on the stage and had exhausted all the training and performance opportunities at her school and local community. Her experience at Idyllwild was incredible, even for only one year - and really cemented in her mind the validity of her academic and career choices. She loved the total immersion in the arts, and being surrounded by other passionate, creative, artistic students. Idyllwild was also more academically rigorous than her old high school, so in her case she was not giving up anything in terms of college prep. </p>
<p>If you really want a career in the performing arts, it can only improve your chances of admittance into a college performing arts program if you have a diploma from a place like Idyllwild or Interlochen. I know Idyllwild has an impressive record of sending its graduates on to the top performing arts colleges in the country. Transferring mid-stream will not hurt you, and in fact can help your college admisstions chances as it demonstrates your passion, commitment and willingness to take risks in pursuit of a goal (my daughter was able to capitalize on that in her college essay applications). She is now a college sophomore drama and dance major, and couldn't be happier. </p>
<p>Thanks for sharing about your daughter; it was really encouraging to me. I’m also transferring for my senior to Idyllwild Arts, and I know that it can be tricky to switch schools so late. I’m really looking forward to studying in an environment entirely dedicated to the arts (and academics). It’s great to hear that it worked out for your daughter!</p>
<p>I just saw this, I’m currently a High School Junior and I wanted to apply to Interlochen for my Senior year. I was curious how switching schools for your Senior worked out for you and if you know anything about the finacial aid available (the information I’ve found said it’s good.) I was also wondering if you could tell me anything you know about the Creative Writing program and anything else an Interlochen hopeful should know.</p>
<p>It is not unusual to transfer to Interlochen just for senior year. Our experience is it was better to come in for junior year, though, to allow more acclimation. The Interlochen Academy experience is unparalleled!</p>