Hi -
So, I’m currently a junior in a magnet school in South Carolina. I am at a pretty well-thought of school, ranked around 1st or 2nd in the state I believe. It’s a magnet school with a focusing on the arts, and I do plan on pursuing my “major” at the school (Creative Writing) in college.
But, here’s where the problem comes in. My parents are divorced; I live with my mom and my stepdad in South Carolina, and my dad lives in California. I plan on attending a California college after I graduate (my top schools are UCLA, UCSD and UCI). I have visited these schools and absolutely love them, but I also have visited several “safer” schools (with higher acceptance rates) and loved the atmosphere of them all. I grew up in California and feel attached there, and I know I would be extremely happy if I got to go to a California college.
I am thinking of moving in with my father over the summer (I’m attending a summer session at UCLA as well), establishing residency in CA and applying from the CA schools as in-state. I understand that moving could be stressful (especially as a senior), but couldn’t this immensely help my applications? I wouldn’t be moving only for college, though. I have a pretty strained relationship with my mother and I think I would be overall happier if I relocated.
Would this be a good decision? I know it’s ultimately mine, but I don’t want to make a rash choice and regret it.
First look up the rules on being “in state” for Cal…it might have to do more with where your parent lives vs. where you went to HS.
If you don’t need to attend HS in Cali to be instate I would say it would be better to stay where you are…you will have better chance for leadership opportunities for in school ECs and teachers/GC would be better able to give you recommendations.
Also going from magnet school peers to a more varied student body may be jarring…woudl the new school provide the courses you want need?
Also look at the UC requirements for HS classes to make sure you meet all requirements.
@bopper I did, and I would have to live in California for a year to qualify. I can use my teachers from my old school for college apps, and I know several that would be more than happy to do so. My school would provide all the courses I need; also, the current school I am at is horrible with scheduling and none of the classes I want seem to fit into my schedule. A larger school usually offers more periods of different courses so I would be able to fit what I need into there. But, yet again, it’s a guessing game since I am pretty used to a tiny, isolated, magnet school!
Thank you so much for your informative response! I’ve been thinking this over for a while, and it has really stressed me out.
My older daughter went to a magnet school and loved it…all the kids were at the same academic level, the teachers trusted the kids, academic success was rewarded/congratulated. My younger daughter went to our town’s comprehensive and was often frustrated with the lack of academic interest, the lack of trust of some teachers, that sports seem to be bigger thing.
On the other hand, if a Cali college is your goal, it might be time to move…but make sure you can get the kind of classes you want…I remember one my HS friends who moved and wasn’t put into the honors classes because there was no room.
If you think about it, when you go to college it will be much bigger so this may be a tim eto transition.