What should I do: nice grades in a small and average high school or ok grades in a top high school?

Question

Here the thing. My parents are moving to NJ from PA. They want me to stay in PA because people told them it is not a good idea to move in high school. However, I am aiming for a top/competitive school. Here are my records:
currently sophomore
freshman GPA- 4.5 (weighted)
practice SAT-1900 (10th grade)
SAT II Bio E- 680
spring track, winter track, and football
4 clubs
youth orchestra and job outside the school

Do you think I'm in a good shape for the nation's top college? I don't know because everyone in my school is like a genius. They all have the same grades, so I do not stand out in my school (huge size: 1600 ppl). Therefore, I think I should move to a smaller school, so that I could stand out more, and get more varsity letters. Do you think colleges will like that? Also, my grades are dropping right now in the first quarter (4.2 weighted). Should I move or should I not? I am confused.

Answer 1

OK Cool... it has been a long time since I did HS, athletics, SATs, college, GMATs, grad school (twice) and all bu tlet me give it a shot.

First, excellent job so far. Obviously you want to get the best grades at the best school possible. But it sounds like if everyone else has excelled at your school...why move unless your future school is at least as competive. Of course, you might want to stay with your family! My family was going to move just before my junior year and my HS football coach offered to have me live with his family. I went to a school with 2500 other students in San Diego.

Your SATs must be based on the new 2400 scoring system placing you in the 88th percentile so you have room for improvement...most of us did or do so that's not a slam.

Your extra-cirricular activities seem fine and if you want to add something I suggest something out in the community...outside school interests do catch college attention. I worked with mentally disabled kids teaching them to better their reading abilities. Also, your part time job, even if just 10 hours a week is a nice reflection on your diversity or multi-tasking (I truly dislike that term...sorry).

Personally, unless you are seeking an atheletic scholarship, I wouldn't go hyper active on the sports at the expense of your grades. Your 2 sports reflect teamwork (football & track) plus your ability to strive independently in a team environment (track...it is an individual effort in many events).

I had a great time at a large school and all 3 of my universities were large...the smallest bing the Uof Oklahoma.

As for your falling grades, these next 4 semesters are important, so make sure your "drop" is an abberration.

Cool...it is your (and your parents) decision, but you sound on the right path. Also..where you would live when your parents leave might be a significant factor.

By the way, my parents didn't move so I didn't have to make the decision you face.

Good luck to you. And hey...it is always tough to leave your your team members but think about your future...as you obviously are doing.

Answer 2

The best schools are always great options. I am currently a high school sophomore as well, and I hold a 4.4. My school is ranked as one of the top in the nation. My brother is a college freshman this year at OSU and says his Calc class is terribly easy compared to how things were in high school. It seems as if you are already very active, which is great for colleges. However, keep in mind that you want to not only participate in all the activities, but do well in them and show commitment. I am enrolled in 5 clubs, have played almost every sport at a very select level, and hold a strong GPA. I would suggest finding the right college for you, and then seeing what they prefer. I am looking toward the Air Force Academy, so my schedules are based on their requirements. It's never too early to look ahead. I'm sure any decision would be great, but do what makes you feel right. Life isn't always about being the best or standing out. Just make sure you're happy, because you can never re-live your high school life.

Answer 3

Are you kidding me? Isn't the top SAT score 1900? So you scored the best score you could get? Listen, as far as I know, colleges don't check to see how many of your classmates also have perfect scores. If you have perfect scores and your GPA is great, you're in. It will not help you to move to an "easier" school where you'll rank higher in your class.

If what you're saying is true, I have a feeling you will do whatever you need to do to keep your grades/scores high. If you run into any problems, get tutors ASAP. You will be fine. But you should already know this.

As far as college goes, it's not even a question of standing out, academically, compared to your peers. It's about GPA, SAT scores, entrance applications, volunteer work, and references. You should pick whichever high school has the best/most challenging classes, and then you should excel in them.

I switched high schools twice, and it didn't affect my grades at all.

Answer 4

The top colleges "recalibrate" GPAs based on the school's rigor...so personally I don't think you should worry too much about that. I don't think it's "bad" to move in high school, so unless you have other reasons to want to -- or not to want to -- move, I also wouldn't let that factor in too much. My eldest son just finished his senior year at a private high school with 240 students in the entire high school, and he found it extremely beneficial to be able to participate and lead more clubs, teams, etc., than he would have been able to in a larger school. You definitely have a point there. Plus the teachers at a smaller school hopefully have more of a chance to get to know you, mentor you, write really heart-felt letters of recommendation. Are there more or fewer kids in the average class at your current school or the other one? That's probably more important than the school size. Wherever you end up, you should challenge yourself and take the most rigorous courses you can; colleges like that, even if your GPA suffers a bit. As I say, they recalibrate...they know that you're pushing and stretching yourself. Oddly, depending on the schools you're thinking of applying to, living in one state vs. the other might prove to be of some minor advantage/disadvantage, as schools like to have "rounded" acceptances, geographically. But, for all of this, in the end, you'll have to make this decision on your own and with your family. Whatever you decide, continue to work hard, show your top pick colleges that you're interested (visit college fairs, sign up for literature, visit the campus, ask admissons offices which courses you should take in high school if you're interested in majoring in "y" at that college, etc.) While you may really prefer one school, have up to 3 that really feel good to you, from a "fit" perspective. I've heard over and over about people who don't get into their first choice, LOVE where they ended up and can't imagine why they were so interested in the first college in the first place. Be passionate about your work, not just for the grades, but for the learning. Your teachers will recognize that and it will come through on those letters of recommendation. I hope this helps. I know what you're going through...I have a freshman in college and a junior in high school. It'll all work out; you sound like you have a good start and are seriously thinking it all through...

Answer 5

You should apply yourself as hard as you can, it may not seem like it at the time but it's to your own avantage and literally pays of well... For most people the main concern is staying focused and being responsible with your time and how you use it.
If you move be prepared to work harder not only for friends but they teach things diffrently you will need to adjust. I think you should stay where you are and look up scholarships for motivation. I graduated top 5 of my class shockingly, and wanted to move schools but figured I would eventually stand out because not to many people stay focused in school. One by one they all dropped like flies.
Good Luck

Answer 6

I'm not up to Sat yet, but I think that you should aim high... o.k. is not good enough for me, I need high higher highest and through the roof to the edge of the universe... but no one knows what the edge of the universe is.... anyway, aim high. Do your best. If best is not good enough, try harder next time. You should move to a better school if you can.