Switching schools in the middle of junior year?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
1

<p>I go to a top 30 high school (U.S. News) (top 10 in Newsweek), and am suffering tremendously. I'm currently a junior and every year my GPA is dropping. My cumulative UW is a 3.71, but this semester I may end up with a 3.1, which will seriously damage by cumulative. I study very hard but do not meet my expectations. I hardly have time for extra curiculars. My other option is to switch to a private school and possibly be in the top 10. (I'm 63/381 right now).</p>

<p>I really want to go to Notre Dame, but switching schools in the middle of junior year is a huge risk. I'm in the IB program and to be honest, I just can't handle the workload and the BS. The administration is awful. Even the teachers complain about how inefficient it is. I really hate my school, but it's challenging and well known throughout the country. But if I switch, I'll be so much more relaxed and will have time to challenge myself by taking classes at the community college and have more time to focus on my extra curricular activities like volunteering and tennis.</p>

<p>What do you think I should do?</p>

2

<p>My suggestion is to stick it (SHS) out and work hard. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Switching high schools will not erase your disappointing high school record. All of those grades will appear on the transcripts you submit to Notre Dame. And a mid-year transfer without a good reason (such as a move or financial hardship at a private school) will be a huge red flag to admissions, especially if your new school is considerably less demanding than your current one.</p>

<p>Most Notre Dame students were able to handle both demanding high school courses AND significant extracurricular activities. That you are struggling in the IB program may be an indication that Notre Dame is not the right school for you. There may be many good reasons to escape from your current high school, but improving your chances of admission to Notre Dame is probably not one of them.</p>