<p>I don't know what to do so it'd be cool if you guys could help me out.
For my freshmen/sophomore years of high school, i've been going to this private school. Its small, about 400 kids in all and it doesn't off many AP classes and various other things a larger public school could offer. Now we just recently moved and I am now able to attend NorthGate High. From their SAT scores and ect. they are a very very good public school. Probably one of the best in our whole area. Also, much bigger. 2000+ kids from what i've heard.<br>
Some people have told me that staying at my private school will give me a better chance at making it into a good college because it'll be fewer competition. And if I was to go to the public school, there would be far more competition. </p>
<p>Now, im not really sure that going to my current private school will really raise my chances on making it into a good college. And yes, my school is easier compared to other public schools.... sooo</p>
<p>im kinda confused. should i stay at my private school, or should i go to a public school for my remaining junior and senior years.</p>
<p>If the public school has more AP classes, and has a good record regarding SAT scores, I would definetly choose the public school. The AP classes will look much better to colleges, and doing well in a more competitive atmoshere (2000 vs. 400 students) will also look better.</p>
<p>haha, i'm also a little scared of going to the public school cuz im not so use to their teaching methods. i heard the teachers dont teach much, its all based on yourself to learn the material. im afraid i wont do very well my junior year if i transfrer to the public school..</p>
<p>don't worry about it, I went from private to public two years ago... The transition was smooth, and I noticed a lot more opportunities at the public school. The teachers were fine, and some were just as personable :)</p>
<p>Well, it all depends on the teachers; there will always be good ones and bad ones, but I'm sure you'll be fine. Even if you don't get the teaching method right away, you'll adapt, but you have a chance at a better education with AP classes, so I would jump at the chance.</p>
<p>Hmm, i'm really leaning on going for the public school now. A part of me is still afraid of not getting good grades when I switch over.. but I guess i'll pick up the teachers teaching method sooner or later.</p>
<p>Are you a top student at your private school? If so, you should seriously consider staying there if you are happy there. A big advantage to staying is that the guidance counselor will know you well and s/he and your teachers will work very hard to write strongly detailed recommendation letters on your behalf. If the school has a good reputation, the lack of AP classes will not be a problem.</p>
<p>My son transferred from a small private to a large, competitive public for his junior and senior years of high school. He was happy in the private school but was doing very little work. Your basic smart slacker kid. At the public school, he had to work his tail off and developed a lot more academic discipline. It took him a while to adjust to the high expectations, but he eventually got very good grades. His competition for colleges was a lot stiffer, though, and while his teachers went to bat for him, his guidance counselor didn't know him at all. </p>
<p>In the end, he got into some good colleges and rejected from quite a few, too. We suspect that if he'd stayed at the private school, he would have gotten into and been rejected by a different slew of colleges. But we'll never know. We do know that we chose the right high school(s) for what he needed at the time.</p>
<p>It's impossible to predict how your high school will impact the college process. Go to the school where you think you can be your best self. Take the most rigorous course load, get good grades, pursue the EC's that interest you, and develop dynamic relationships with teachers/mentors. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, that is what i'm afraid of. Im am most certainly not a top student. Sophomore year, I managed a 3.5 and only because my schedule was loaded with very easy classes.</p>
<p>As you can tell... I slacked off in pretty much every class except biology and geometry. Our english II class was ridiculous. It has got to have been one of the easiest classes i've ever taken.</p>
<p>Another thing i'll be facing next year are the SATs. Working my tail off everyday to finish my schoolwork and preparing for the SATs is kinda.......... not what im use to. haha, im sure i'll crack under that much presure >.<</p>
<p>xAbre, I'm convinced that the intense schoolwork my son did in his junior year at the public school played a big part in his SAT scores going up significantly. He didn't study for them at all (not my recommendation, but hey, I had no say in it), but the work he did in his honors English and AP math class paid off in a big way. </p>
<p>It doesn't sound as if you've chosen the most rigorous courseload so far (no history course??), but there's still time. And whether you're likely to work harder at a different school is something only you can figure out. </p>
<p>My son was also concerned about the difference in the teaching at the two schools. He found that there was less hand-holding at the public school. That is, if, for example, he was late handing in a paper, it just wasn't accepted. Guess what -- he learned how to get his work in on time! Overall, he felt that the teachers were good at both schools. What he missed most about his private school was the sense of community, but he remained close to a few friends and teachers and, in the end, seemed to get the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>hmmm, im sure there will be much more opportunities and getting more involved if I attend the public school. Haha, theres only 2 clubs at my private school.... and they both have hardly anyone in them.</p>
<p>if it was me i'd pick the ones with more opportunities (i.e. more AP class selection that are geared towards your major, more 'free A' classes that no one really cares about but you just need the credit for it, etc.)</p>
<p>I could never see how going to a school with high SAT averages helps YOUR score. Sure, there is the peer pressure, and a lot of like minded people, but does it really help you personally? </p>
<p>It's just a self perpetuating cycle of intelligent people flocking toward the so called "top schools" and in turn, sealing that very same reputation that attracted them in the first place.</p>