Public vs. Private High School

Pre-College Issues High School Life
21

<p>I would say the big drawback to the private school is tuition.</p>

<p>The people saying that your GPA and rank would be worse clearly don't understand what they're talking about. Everything is in context. NO ONE in my grade has a 4.0. ONE PERSON last year did, and that was a huge deal. Our acceptance rate to Harvard (no legacies, mind you) was 25%, many people with GPAs in the 3.85-3.93 range (top of the class, easily). My point is that GPA and rank are considered in context. If most students get B+s, then colleges know this. Lower grades aren't a reason to dismiss private institutions, because the school profiles explain the grading system to colleges.</p>

<p>Anyway, on a personal note, going to a private school (tuition a little more than your school, non-boarding) was an incredibly rewarding experience. I wouldn't have traded it for higher grades or rank. I went from 30-person classes to 12-person classes. The kids were all smart. They were motivated. The teachers loved to learn. I can take classes I want at the level I want. We don't offer AP classes (tests are administered) so no one is bragging about his difficult schedule. We have a great college counseling department. We have an administration that is very organized and who cares about success and intellectual stimulation and that doesn't have to worry about drugs, crime, or other issues that plague some public schools in my area. I have had more extracurricular opportunities here than I ever thought possible and that I could not get at any public school available to me. I am surrounded by mature, (mostly) humble and well-grounded individuals who are passionate about what they do, whatever it may be. It has been an unbelievable experience.</p>

<p>My advice to you is to consider finances first. You CAN get to any college from any school, so don't think that going to the private school is a shoo-in anywhere. If the school offers aid, quickly investigate that and get in touch with the FA people. If they say that they can meet your need, then investigate it. The public school may be fine, but if the private school is great, then I would seriously consider applying.</p>

22

<p>wow my situation was exactly the same. in 10th grade i had the choice to go to either a private or a public school to. i chose the private and literally suffered like crazy for a year, all though i did much better. The private school i went to was so easy but i ended up doing well in all the state tests as well. Now i am torn between the two weather i should stay at the private school or go back to the public.....................very confusing situation.
and......back to the point. i think that you should stay in your public because switching schools is just not worth it. and just circle your self around people who are motivated. or just circle yourself around people who are not and just know that you are the one who is going to go far in life and not them.</p>