Will transferring high schools improve my chance at an Ivy?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hello!
I am currently a freshman at one of the best private schools in the South. It is extremely competitive to say the least. This is my first year and I am not enjoying it at all. I am not sure if it is the people (most of them come from very wealthy families) and that a lot of them have been here their entire lives or that my grades are suffering for the first time in my life.</p>

<p>Before freshman year I had gone to public school my entire life. The district I was in was also one of the best in Texas and super competitive as well. I had never gotten less than an A. Now at my new school, classes are not weighted and sometimes I am satisfied when I pass.</p>

<p>They do not rank the students at my school as well so I am not exactly sure where I stand in terms of my grades. (I would guess top 20%)
Each year, about 10% of students from my school to get accepted to an Ivy or a top tier school. (we are able to talk to college reps when they come to our school as well)</p>

<p>My hardest subject is math because I skipped two grades in math and am currently taking Honors Pre-calculus. It is very difficult for me and my lowest grade is in that class (B- to a B). The rest of my subjects are decent - high Bs and low As and sometimes an A.
My math grade pulls my GPA down by a large amount. Although I am ahead of everyone in my grade by one year, I know many many people who have much higher GPAs than I do.
I really want to go to a HYP school (my sister went to one) so I do not know if my math grade will hurt my chances. My sister went to a private school as well, but not the one I am currently in. The private school she went to is not as competitive and she was Salutatorian.</p>

<p>If I do switch schools (to the one she went to), will colleges think I am stepping down to something easier? Are my chances of going to an Ivy better at this well known school or if I go to a lesser known school with better grades?</p>

<p>Thank you so much! </p>

2

<p>Not to be harsh, but your “academic record” prior to this year only extends thriugh 8th grade. 9th grade is MUCH harder than eighth grade in most (if not all) school districts. Your straight A’s from middle school don’t guarantee straight A’s in high school.</p>

3

<p>Further, without knowing the specifics of each school, no one can give you a real answer. My advice – go where you think you would be happiest.</p>

4

<p>Good luck with your decision, but don’t obsess over Ivy or any other schools. Enjoy your high school years and do what you enjoy. The Ivy’s and other schools that are highly selective are not a guarantee…and there are so many other great schools where you can be happy.</p>