Switching High Schools my Senior Year

Applying to College
1

I wouldn’t say I hate the school I’m attending right now, but I’m definitely not happy. Mostly it’s the lack of close friends, most of them are finishing up their senior year and as a junior, I’ll be all alone next year. I have lots of ‘casual’ friends, but nobody I’m particularly close to. I don’t want my unhappiness to affect my grades, which has happened before, in my sophomore year.

That being said, I was thinking about moving in with my grandparents and going to the local high school in their state and was wondering if that would affect any of my chances when applying for colleges.

The school I’m at now is pretty small, so they only offer about 5 AP classes (English, Chem, Bio-I’m currently taking, French OR Spanish, so really only 4 are available to students.)
If I moved… the school has SO MANY AP classes I could take.

My senior year schedule if I stayed at current school:

  1. Ap English
  2. Ap French
  3. Stats and Trig (H)
  4. Physics (H)
  5. British Literature (H), Gov and Law 2 (H)
  6. Economics (H), Sociology (H)
  7. Anatomy, Study Hall

VS.

My senior year schedule if I moved:

  1. Ap English
  2. Ap French
  3. Ap Physics
  4. Ap Gov't
  5. Stats and Trig (H)
  6. Ap Art History (Art is required, might as well get a gpa bump)
  7. Ap economics

My schedule would be a lot more rigorous, which I feel would positively impact my college apps. But I am worried about class rank, right now I am in the top 25% of my class (UW gpa is a 3.7), but if I move I’ll be going to school with 2000+ students and the school’s average act is a 29! I’m pretty sure everyone there is a genius!

Sorry for this obnoxiously long 1st post that is basically a pros and cons list! I just want another opinion from someone else! Thanks!

2

Class rigor is measured in the context of your school. Moving may actually put you at a disadvantage compared to students who had many AP options over four years. Moving to another state may also bring up some potential issues regarding what schools might consider you in-state.

3

Moving also means that you would have to give up any continuity in your ECs as well as any leadership positions you expect to hold next year. In addition your guidance counselor would not know you to give you a personalized recommendation. Some people have no choice, but IMO for you moving would likely be more of a negative than a positive.

4

Class rank -
Guidance Counsellor Recommendation -
In-state tuition -
EC continuation -
Class rigor +
Personalized teacher recs (If being done Sr year) -
Loneliness +/- (essentially neutral as of now)

5

@Nedcone Rigor is relative, as Erin’s Dad has mentioned. If OP takes 3-4 AP classes at a school that offers 5, that’s a rigorous schedule. If OP moves to another school with more AP courses and ends up taking 7 APs, but many students have taken 10+, (s)he will be at a disadvantage.

OP, I would advise against moving schools, because several of the negatives @Nedcone has outlined are significant in terms of college acceptance.