I am an incoming senior, c/o 2016, and I have been thinking about leaving my school for senior year because I am afraid I will not get into a good college. This sounds extremely stupid, but let me continue.
My class is extremely competitive. I do not have a rank, but the average weighted GPA is a 4.1-4.2/4.5 and my GPA is a 4.0, or even less, since I had a 4.02 before second semester junior year (3.66 UW as opposed to 3.7-3.8 UW average in my class). My friends have suggested transferring into a less rigorous high school to quote “help me with my college admissions process.”
I attend a highly competitive, public HS that is has extremely rigorous academics. The majority of us are Asian (I am Asian), and honestly, 99% of the time everyone is talking about Harvard or some other Ivy League/prestigious school. Students are really bent on college ranking and it is tough.
I have some issues with this, though.
If I do leave for a less difficult HS, and my first semester of senior year GPA is high (like all A's), I doubt it would make any impact. Also, can't they tell that I left my school for an easier course load?
I have not moved schools since kindergarten and as a result, I have a feeling that I will have a difficult time transitioning to a different school. Sounds petty, but emotional/social issues can really bother me when they want to (read: less focus on academics. Trying to fix that)
If I apply early from a new school (my parents want me to?), getting to know my counselor in a couple months is hard. And finding new teacher recs, I guess. I believe I have a solid, good relationship with my current counselor and my teachers that I have chosen for recs.
Lastly, the “get into good college” part. I want to do my best to get into the best school I can (not Harvard or whatever because I’m not capable yet) because I am a high achiever (once again, trying my best at everything I take) and because I want my parents to be proud of me. I also thought getting into a better college (as in rank or something) equates to better job prospects after. I may be wrong.
I am icky/iffy/eh about leaving because it’s my senior year and I have wonderful friends and classes that I am looking forward to take, like AP Lit! There are wiser people reading this post though, and I still have to talk to my parents about this too. I will keep an open mind
You are doing very well at your school. Not everyone gets a perfect GPA so just get yourself and move on. You should qualify for many fine colleges. There are tons of great schools that are not Ivy and equivalent so stop getting caught up in the prestige race and look for schools that are good fits academically, socially, financially etc. IMO at this point transferring would not help you at all with the college process, in fact it might make you look bad – as if you couldn’t cut it in your current HS.
Op,
If you have been at the same HS for years 9,10,11 and you have not moved your residence, then changing to a different HS for year 12 won’t help. Colleges will look at your transcript, ECs, work for grades 9-11. Grade 12 pretty much does not factor into it. If you move to a new HS, they will not be able to calculate a “rank” for you because your work was done elsewhere so won’t be comparable to the new HS student body. But most importantly, please enjoy the social aspect of HS. It’s the best during 12th grade so try to enjoy it a little. And transferring in 12th grade will definitely raise some eyebrows for adcoms unless you have moved, so it will have a negative impact on your application. With a 3.66 UW GPA, you will probably end up at a mid-level UC, like most of your class, even though your whole class is talking about Ivy (I presume you live in CA). Only a small handful will make it to HYPS. Or you can go to a very good private or LAC. Good luck to you!!
I really don’t think you should leave, and from your post, it seems you already know this is not a good idea.
it won’t help with colleges and it will mean losing the experiences of the last year with friends and teachers who care about you.
I know you are in an environment that is a bit skewed and competitive. But please understand that it is a bubble. Don’t worry about Ivies etc. Read Loren Pope’s books “Colleges that Change Lives” and “Looking Beyond the Ivy League.” There are many Ivy admits who go to these schools instead.
Please enjoy senior year, continue to learn and explore interests, be a good friend, and you will end up at a college that is good for you.
As for job prospects, you will do fine. (You might be surprised that in certain jobs, an Ivy degree can hurt you; and if your boss went to a state school, you might have to work harder to prove you have the right attitude. Many Ivy grads actually try to hide where they went to school.)
Assuming your standardized tests and ECs are good you should have multiple strong options for college.
Switching schools for your senior year (unless your family relocates) could raise a red flag to colleges and leave them wondering why you made the change.
One semester of somewhat higher grades won’t make a huge difference in terms of college acceptances.
In a new environment without your friends, familiar teachers etc. you may not even do better in school.
Your guidance counselor won’t know you well enough to write anything really personalized.
You would have to give up any leadership positions in clubs, any long standing ECs etc. if you switch schools which could negatively impact your application.
It sounds like you are happy with your friends, classes etc.at your current school. Why give that up?
Take a deep breath. So, you won’t get into Harvard. Join the club. But there are many many other great colleges and universities that can take you where you want to go in life.
You don’t need to change schools, you need to change expectations.
Most people who are qualified won’t get into a top 10 school. Find a school that fits you and what you want to do. You can use your scores/GPA to get scholarships at Colleges/Universities. FInd one with a good Honors Program.
