<p>I have a dilemma and would appreciate any feedback you would like to give.</p>
<p>I am a rising senior and my school offers both IB and AP. I took the route of AP because it suited me better. My school has been doing a heavy push towards IB over the past few years. Since the master schedule is blocked around IB there is less flexibility for non IB students. I was able to get most of what I wanted for my senior year but really will not know until classes start. Calc BC, for example. </p>
<p>One of our district high schools offers the STEM program. Most student who elect the STEM or IB option transfer their rising junior year. I have that option but would be transferring as a rising senior. From a personal viewpoint it is really no big deal. These schools are close to each other and we all know and hang out with students from both schools. I am considering transferring because I would be guaranteed the AP classes I want (I would graduate with 12 total) and I would receive a STEM diploma as an added bonus. </p>
<p>My concern is how colleges would perceive this on my application. Am I not showing loyalty to my high school; or would they see it as a positive in that I solved my problem; or would they even care? If I would have transferred going into my junior year, I would not be concerned. </p>
<p>The teachers I am using for my recommendations completely understand and will still write bang-up recommendations. </p>
<p>Thanks for any feedback -</p>
<p>Don’t worry about this one. Transferring schools so that you can take particular courses that will help you meet specific goals is reasonable. No one expects you to “show loyalty” to a HS!</p>
<p>My concern would be that you would need to make all new friends, and that it might be harder for you to continue in any particular ECs. Think about that. Is it truly necessary for you to complete Calc BC? Are you taking it so that you are better prepared for an engineering/STEM major in college, or are you taking it so you can have one more AP class? If you just want to learn the math, you have other options including summer or school-year classes at a college or university close enough to commute to.</p>
<p>They won’t care either way. Your issue if applying to competitive colleges is whether you can continue and add depth to ECs, gain leadership positions and gt to know teachers and counselors well enough to get good recs.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. </p>
<p>The only school EC that I would lose would be tennis. I played varsity tennis for 3 years but was going to forgo senior year due to injuries. If I did transfer, I would be able to pick up band. Oddly enough, playing the electric violin. I would be part of the science team at other high school but I would probably be one of two science team captains at my current school. All my other ECs outside of school would not change. I plan on majoring in physics or biophysics and then on to med school.
Thanks -</p>
<p>As the parent of a recent college graduate and a soon-to-be college freshman, I have many years of experience with all three of these programs. Based on your future plans, I would advise you to go ahead and transfer. It shows a lot of courage on your part to change schools (voluntarily!) for your senior year, just so that you can better prepare yourself for your desired college program. From what you’ve written, it sounds like you have nothing to lose - and a lot to gain - by doing so.</p>
<p>thanks for the feedback and words of encouragement.</p>