<p>Hello! In my city there is a new college prep school opening. My parents are trying to decide if I should go to that school, or the local public school. At the college prep school I can take more AP courses, and have a definite math class my senior year, however the public school has more extra curricular activities, which school would look better to college admissions officers, or would it really matter?</p>
<p>My advice would be to remain in the public school system. The prep school you are considering isn't established, and would require additional out of pocket expenses that, in my opinion, would not be worth it. One of the reasons that schools like Exeter, Andover, Groton, et al. do so well in college admissions are the connections their guidance people have with the admissions officers at elite colleges. Admissions officers pay careful attention to what these guidance persons say about prospective applicants.</p>
<p>A new prep school doesn't offer this advantage. Additionally, issues like accreditation, financial resources, etc. are all vitally important in assessing whether the new school can provide an enriching context that would make an applicant attractive to a selective college.</p>
<p>My advice? Take the most challenging courses in your public school, and participate in extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you.</p>
<p>ditto.........................</p>
<p>prepparent, are you really a parent? I've never seen a parent type "ditto"</p>
<p>He's definitely a parent!</p>
<p>I believe it. I just thought it was weird that a parent wrote "ditto".</p>
<p>yes, I'm a parent. Hold up though, did I use it incorrectly? I was using "ditto" to agree with the previous response on this thread. My kids have told me I should use IM too lol Pleas advise as to whether or not I used "ditto" incorrectly.......lol</p>
<p>Actually my kids have said I should NOT use IM</p>
<p>Yes, you used it correctly. "ditto" means "me too." Like I say "I like juice" and to agree, you say "ditto." Haha, not the best sentence to used, but...you get it.</p>
<p>Actually, I don't particularly like the phrase and I never use it in real life. My friends do it all the time and it gets on my nerves.</p>
<p>Don't go to a high school JUST to go to a good college. Go to the high school where YOU think you will be happier at. Good luck :)</p>
<p>I agree with what Pinderhughes said. The top prep schools feed a lot of their students into elite colleges, because those prep schools have established a relationship with feeding students for years and years and colleges know about certain schools. If this prep school that you are considering is so new, you don't have any real proof to go by that will show you that they will help you get into a good school or that school is "better" than your public school. None of us can tell you which school to pick because it's your education, your life and only you know which will benefit you most. Honestly, I'd go with the public school. Because even if they don't offer all the AP's that the prep school does, see if you can take advanced courses at a local communit college-that will look really good, plus you'll be in a school where you can interact extracurriculars, which colleges look for.</p>
<p>Good luck with your descision:)</p>