Who's better?

Question

Student A attends a preperatory school and gets average grades (2 C's, 2 B's, 1 A).

Student B attends a public school and gets great grades (3 A's, 1B) in a not-so-good public school.

Which student has a better chance of getting into a decent college? Does it matter much if you went to a public or preparatory school? Or do they just look at GPAs, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities?

The reason I'm asking this is because I'm "Student A", I go to a preparatory school and I get average grades. I have the option of being "Student B", transfering to public school and getting A's and B's, and I'm not sure if I should remain "Student A" or go back to being "Student B"

I'd like to go to a music college since I'm thinking about becoming a professional violinist so schools such as Juilliard (probably won't happen), University of Minnesota, Berklee, New England Conservatory, etc.

Answer 1

Depends on where you want to go. Top 20 LACs and Ivys want the perfect GPA, but the fact that you would be transferring OUT of a prep school might raise a red flag. I think your best bet, if you are aiming for the very top, would be to stay where you are and hire tutors.

However, if you're looking at 2nd tier and lower schools, save yourself the aggravation and transfer.

Answer 2

Student B. In the end, the grades matter first. The rep of the school only really starts to tip the scales when you've got kids with the same grades and scores.

Stop and think about it. Student A shows only average ability at a college prep school. No guarantee the school is as hard as the college level. If they can't excel in high school, less likely they'll excel in college. This is contrasted with Student B. Get great grades. Sure there's no guarantee that student will excel in college, but they at least know how to get A's. Good chance they have the work ethic to find a way to succeed in college, even if the competition they faced in high school wasn't as rigorous as Student A.

As for you, what is the reason you're getting average grades? Do you really think transferring to the public school will help? It can, but you really have to look at yourself and figure out what is the real reason for your grades. You also have to consider how it will look to go from a college prep high school to the regular high school in your area. Moving or some other innocuous reason can't be used.

Answer 3

I'm not an expert in this area... But! It seems to me that the grades as Student A are just average. On the other hand, Student B has received 3 A's and ! B? If that B were an A.... Student B would be a straight A student and I don't care what school's involved....THAT looks better and speaks louder than average grades. I'm afraid I do not know if prep school will get you extra points or not....And I'm not sure of how important SAT scores are. I do know your GPA is important.... So pay attention to that.

Follow your heart.....

Answer 4

Your SAT and ACT scores will also play a part, as well as your extracurricular activities. I think both students have the same chance. The prep school kids had a lot more advantages than the not-so-good public school did. If a kid goes to a not-so-god public school and gets all A's then it looks like they overcame a lot to get the grades they got. The kid from the prep school more than likely had more advantages in life and just did "average" with what they had. Admissions will take this into account as well.

Answer 5

The courses at a preparatory school are usually equivalent to those of honor courses taught in public school, so Student A is doing at least as well in the courses being taken as Student B is, if not better. This is something colleges tend to take into account.

Answer 6

They look more at how hard the classes are... For example a student who does average in hard classes has a better chance then a student who does fairly well in regualr classes. test scores (SAT, ACT) are also very important. I would stick with the harder classes and just make sure you try your hardest.

Answer 7

Student A is better beacuse they have tougher teachers and they will be more likely to attend a better college.

Answer 8

student b is better off and she should also take up some extra curricular activities and make herself well rounded....makes her a better sell for colleges too. good luck!

Answer 9

b