<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I am currently an 8th grader at St. George's School in Vancouver. My family and I are currently considering about applying to a prep school in the US (Andover, Exeter, St. Pauls, etc.) My main concern is how much of a difference is it there compared to St. George's. Also, are the chances of getting into a good university much larger at the good prep schools in the US? Would it be worth all the hassle transferring from St. George's? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Do you like your current school?</p>
<p>Honestly, your chances of getting into a good university depend on a lot of factors, not the least of which is your high school GPA, your standardized test scores, your extracurriculars, and possibly your “hook.” Going to an American prep school - or any school - does not necessarily increase your chances. You have to be a star wherever you go in order to make it into the best colleges.</p>
<p>Is that your primary motivation for considering Andover and Exeter? Is there anything in particular that attracts you to those schools besides their Ivy matriculation rate? Four years is a long time.</p>
<p>If you genuinely like the schools and could see yourself as a student there, I think you should apply. Get the acceptance(s) and then weigh them against how you feel about your current school. Don’t apply for the wrong reasons, but also don’t stop yourself from applying if you’ll always wonder, “What if?”</p>
<p>Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.</p>