<p>Maybe it is just a regional thing, but I am confused on the importance of various prep schools. Now, in my area there are prep schools (oxford, troy, university?) The kids I meet there though are taking the same classes that I am taking, and are getting the same grades. So my question, with complete understanding of my ignorance, is what is the true benefits of going to a prep school with admission tests over going to a public school? Am I at a true disadvantage because I go to a public school? Is it because public schools in other parts of the country aren't as good, and that is where the majority of private or prep schools come in? Although I have always heard that California has the worst public school system, so I am not sure about that. Anyway, any input would help. Thank you.</p>
<p>No, you are not at a disadvantage. There are plenty of public schools that are ten times better than the private ones around them. It’s jut all about the atmosphere. Smaller classes, smaller student teacher ratio, etc.</p>
<p>So besides smaller classes, there is no real difference?</p>
<p>Um I wouldn’t say that. I definitely think that some Prep schools give a leg up to some students, however there are various amount of public schools that are high quality and could even possibly be better than some private schools. I would say that no, private schools do give advantage for the sole advantage of having a well connected counselor, connections and smaller class sizes which help people focus more, thus better grades. However private schools aren’t for everyone, not everybody focuses in an environment like that. So, to answer your question, I do think that private schools give an advantage, but it depends on the person.</p>
<p>Well if the public school in the area is bad, then a prep school can be the alternative that provides a better education, but in a lot of cases (I live in an area with a lot of prep schools) the education you receive in a prep school is no better (ESPECIALLY for the cost). They offer less courses, the teachers aren’t particularly better, and area prep schools have less APs offered than my public school. I actually talked to someone from a prep school who said they don’t work past 10 whereas in a good public school, if you don’t work past ten, you’re going to do very poorly. Also, athletics are worse because there is a limited pool of students and they usually only play other prep schools with bad teams. Facilities are significantly worse also (normally in aged buildings).</p>
<p>Despite the unimpressive nature of prep schools, given their cost of attendance, the main benefit is a leg up in college admissions. Counselors give way more individual attention to students and they have connections they greatly benefit their chances of getting into a top college. So in a sense public schoolers are at a disadvantage. </p>
<p>I can only speak for what I see in the prep schools in my area in comparison the the public school that I go to. I know there are public schools and private schools that are really crappy or really good so it really depends on the area and the schools in specific.</p>
<p>Micro, my point was that all prep schools are not top tier. Yes there are a handful of prep schools that will give you advantages as far as college admissions.</p>
<p>You yourself are not at a disadvantage.
The one thing I can tell you is utilize your school the best you can. Make your own advantages.</p>
<p>I can tell you that Oxford isn’t exactly what it’s cracked up to be for sure. The one benefit that I can easily see isn’t academically related at all. It’s just that there’s no Asian gang in the making here, LOL. </p>
<p>I think it’s because we’re actually a public school and we get seriously, seriously minimal external funding (public + magnet school = $0 apparently), but there’s nothing really spectacular. The teachers are more willing to help and more available to talk outside of class hours. But that’s guaranteed at any school. While some teachers here are wonderful and I am indebted to them, there are others who teach poorly and don’t care about anything besides their paychecks. </p>
<p>The only difference between Oxford and other schools is the academic rigor and multi-leveled thinking on tests. I never really saw our high ranking as an advantage in any way, the staff isn’t as great (including counselors…sigh). We don’t have elite anything. No special programs, special training, special prep, or whatever. We’re just a public school that pulls in all of Anaheim’s Asian population to be subject to torment.</p>
<p>And I find few kids legitimately intelligent here, I guarantee you. </p>
<p>Sorry I went off on a tangent. HAHAHA
But no, you’re definitely not at a disadvantage at all. Make the best of it and you’ll be a-okay. Some preparatory schools I saw are quite worth it, but in the end, it’s the individual, not the school, that stands out. Best of luck at your school! (:</p>
<p>If you utilize a decent public school to its greatest potential, you can receive as good if not better of an education that at a good prep/private school. For example, at a public school you will have more classes, clubs, and better athletics. If you are in all honors/ap classes you should be learning the pretty much the same stuff.
Where prep schools differ is in two regards. 1.The student body. For the most part the student body in a prep school is more academically inclined. It would be like constructing a class from the top 10% of your public hs class. For this reason prep school is a bit more competitive. 2. College admissions. Top-uppertier prep/private schools hold much greater weight at top universities. For example the top 10 out of a class of 80 at a local prestigious private school go to HYPMS… while at public school that has great academics and an affluent student body has never sent a kid to HYPMS because our school simply does not have the connections.</p>
<p>So you are pretty much paying for connections? So a kid that I am just as good as that goes to a certain prep school will be more likely to get into HYPMS because of his school’s connections? What are these connections exactly? Like the Councillors have it in with admissions and are like “look at my kids first please”. Could a random public school do that?</p>
<p>Some private schools or top-tier magnet schools have more extensive course offerings (hello, number theory) and support from teachers in seeking research opportunities or preparing for math/science competitions, in addition to the smaller class sizes and generally more supportive teachers mentioned above. Sometimes, I really wish I were going to Harker or Exeter or whatever instead of my public school because of these factors.</p>
<p>But then I realize that those aren’t worth >30k/year. :)</p>
<p>I suggest you search the Prep School Admission forum, there have been multiple topics about the pros/cons of private schools</p>
<p>I heard of one instance when a private school didn’t have as many students accepted to Duke last year so the counselor called saying there weren’t enough students accepted and 2 more students from the school were accepted (it was most likely a Duke feeder school, but still).</p>