<p>I am a rising Junior at a well-respected college preparatory boarding school in Tennessee. I have a 4.25 GPA (4.3 scale, 4.3=A+, 4.0=A, etc.), I attend the school on full academic scholarship, I wrestle and play lacrosse (neither varsity), I have been re-elected to the Senate (honor council) for my third year-long term, I was recently selected as an elder in student vestry, I participate in French Club, I was elected to TEPS (sophomore service and leadership organization), and I have made Dean's list and faculty recognition every term, I would graduate with approx. 7 or 8 AP's, and I actively participate in an Independent Research Project with the Local Heart Institute. </p>
<p>The only problem is that I want to come home. All work and no play is not how I like to operate and that's exactly what it takes to sustain this level of achievement at my school. The school I would come home to is my local, public high school. I would be valedictorian, take 100% of AP's, and have a great time. I want to be with my old friends and enjoy my high school years. I also want to attend college somewhere in the neighborhood of Washington and Lee, Duke, Wake Forest, or Vanderbilt. How significantly would my decision to return home for Junior and Senior year impact my college admissions chances? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Since I am not an admissions officer, I can’t say for sure.</p>
<p>Although, with your great grades, I don’t think they would believe you couldn’t handle the academic pressure. They might look at it like being homesick – and that could hurt you if they assume you’re not ready to be away from home. Plus your ECs would change when you arrived home.</p>
<p>So, I don’t think it would hurt you, too much. They might just feel like you aren’t ready to be away from home or something like that.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey man I say go back home. </p>
<p>I used to go to a college prep high school for freshman and sophmore year. Although my grades weren’t as good as yours (3.8) I was told the decision would not have a lot of weight on college admission stuff. </p>
<p>So I can happily say that I will graduate from my public school and I will be back with my old friends. Ultimately I made the decision based off the simple fact that I wasn’t having a good time where I was and that I would have more oppurtunity with sports, academics, and old friends again at public schools.</p>
<p>I am a rising senior at a public high school but had the chance to attend boarding school back in the 8th grade. I chose to remain in public school and have regretted it ever since. Public schools, at least where I live, simply do not have the resources that private schools have. I can’t even start a club due to lack of funds. I presume that this problem wouldn’t be an issue at a private school. </p>
<p>You have a wonderful opportunity here. A ** full ** academic scholarship is amazing. Suck it up and stay.</p>
<p>I say go back to public school. Unless, of course, you know that your public school lacks the resources and doesn’t have classes that can suit your needs.
High school is about working hard, but it’s also about having fun and enjoying the last few years before you really have before you have to grow up and go to college.</p>
<p>I completely disagree with Centauri. One common misconception is that people believe attending a prep school will boost their chances of admission at top-tiered schools like the Ivies. Quite the opposite, actually. Boarding schools offer NO competitive advantage over public schools. I say DON’T suck it it up and stay, as you would have the same opportunities at a public school, and as you say, more fun.</p>
<p>Private Preparatory schools do in many cases offer advantages due to better counseling, resources, and connections. It depends on how good your local area public school is, but if your goal is to attend a top ivy, prep school would confer you more advantages. But going to a public schools should not hold you back too much depending on how good it is.</p>
<p>Thanks everybody for your feedback. What are your thoughts on getting recommendations from some faculty members I’m close to at my boarding school to put in my file for later? Maybe to attest to my ability to handle the work and live independently?</p>