Which High School Should I Choose

blue_murr4

5-Year Member
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Aug 11, 2013
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I know I'm young to be considering West Point as a college, but I tell myself it is the place I want to go to. I am getting the option of choosing between to high school. One is private and one public. I also understand that grades matter more than the school, but since of the differences in these two schools I would love some advice. The first school is my towns public high school. It is a regular school and if you do well you can get into some good schools. Though not many of the students are getting into the higher league colleges- an example is the Ivy League schools. My other choice is a private all girls catholic school. It has a better record with the higher league schools and it is just a total different atmosphere and experience. So I would love some feedback!!!
Also here is just some information so it helps- I am a white girl-sometimes this matters I have noticed. I will be going into 9th grade in 2014. I play 2 sports- Field Hockey and Tennis (I have been told I would make varsity as freshman on both teams) and I will probably do track aswell. I am a dedicated student and try hard to achieve top grades- A's. I love doing community service and I am a girl scout- trying to achieve Silver and the Gold Award here aswell. Oh and just incase I play piano and am studying for my 6th year and I also play saxophone starting my 5th year. Thank you so much! Any help is really aprecciated I need unbiased advice. God bless the armed forces Go Army! (Also my uncle is working at West Point for the next two years!)
 
Follow Up

My problem is I don't know which one would increase my chances of getting into West Point. Thanks again!
 
My problem is I don't know which one would increase my chances of getting into West Point. Thanks again!

First, the school does matter. Your school profile is taken into account when your GPA etc. is assessed. So if you get great grades at an easy school, your GPA loses some sway. Also if you place in the top 10 at an easy school with 26 students it's a bit less impressive. Meanwhile if you get a moderate GPA at a really tough school, that's taken into account.

It kinda sounds like all things are equal between the two schools. I would look at which is going to provide more, or more opportunity, for AP courses and which ones those are. If you can do well in AP Calc and AP Physics or AP Chem somewhere then that can give a boost to your academy applications. If those aren't available it doesn't count against you and they really look at whether you to the heaviest course load possible at the college you attended. But at the same time, if you can take them and do well, it aids you.

All things being equal, including school profiles, AP access, drugs etc. then I'd go to the cheapest school and save my money for a plan B college. But that's just me. YMMV.
 
First, please reconsider using your real name in any public forum, like this one.
Second, +1 to Kinnem. You and your parents may be able to learn more about the school profiles by asking the guidance offices.
 
Thank You so much for the feed back I am very thankful!!!! Your advice is deeply appreciative and is so helpful. I am now looking to see the schools options that it gives me which I would have never considered if I had not been told! Thanks once again!
 
Thank You so much for the feed back I am very thankful!!!! Your advice is deeply appreciative and is so helpful. I am now looking to see the schools options that it gives me which I would have never considered if I had not been told! Thanks once again!

You're more than welcome! I should add that the same approach is going to help you with your plan B, C and D colleges as well. Apply to the ROTC programs as well as the academies when the time comes. Make sure you have alternate plans for all of the above in case appointments or scholarships do not come through. It's a long road. Hang tough and have fun! :thumb:
 
. . .

All things being equal, including school profiles, AP access, drugs etc. then I'd go to the cheapest school and save my money for a plan B college. But that's just me. YMMV.

GM, you sound mature, if you haven't already you should have a discussion with your parents.

I as a parent will reach the decision point pretty soon for my older DD. Since I have two kids, my commitment is what I do with my first child applies to my second child. This is a public forum so don't mention how much your parents make. Unless your parents are very wealthy, paying for private high school is will big deal.

I am assuming the school is not cheap. Around where I live, $20,000 +/- a year before fees. Most of these schools offer some sort of financial assistance, but mostly need base. Which means, if your parents make just enough, you will get limited or no financial assistance. Now, throw in saving for college and retirement, paying for private school can be hard. Some parents might save less for retirement.

The decision to pay for a private high school is your parents, with your input.
 
Thank you so much for your feedback! :D I also have a younger sibling and they are encouraging him aswell to look at schools. We both have equal oppurtunities in almost everything my family does.
My parents did make it clear that the choice is not theres but mine. They do not believe they should force there child into an experience they do not feel comfortable in. They also made clear that they would not show me schools they could not afford comfortably- I am a child who gets concerned if I think we are in a finicially bad state. I am thankful money is not the issue with my decision and I wish more people could have it the way I have it. Thanks again for the deeply appreciated feedback!
 
Grace,

First off from what I read, you are alot more mature than I was at your age. You have your head on straight, and already have a goal for yourself, keep that up and you'll do wonders. Getting to the point, when looking at highschools I looked for where I wanted to go, where I would do best- not just academically, but socially, morally, physically,etc.- etc. The highschool I chose I have fallen in love with, its challenged me to be a greater person all around. It may not be fun at times with the workload, but if you want a great education, time management skills, orginization, etc. you need to be challanged-remember to have fun as well. You can do great at a public school, and I know some very bright and sucessful kids from public schools, but if that is not the enviroment you want, and you have better options then go for it is what I say. Immerrse yourself in the enviroment you want.
As far as finances go, don't worry about it too much. Your parents say its not a big issue, but remember that is alot of money and don't waste it if you decide to go private.

Greg
 
Grace,

First off from what I read, you are alot more mature than I was at your age. You have your head on straight, and already have a goal for yourself, keep that up and you'll do wonders. Getting to the point, when looking at highschools I looked for where I wanted to go, where I would do best- not just academically, but socially, morally, physically,etc.- etc. The highschool I chose I have fallen in love with, its challenged me to be a greater person all around. It may not be fun at times with the workload, but if you want a great education, time management skills, orginization, etc. you need to be challanged-remember to have fun as well. You can do great at a public school, and I know some very bright and sucessful kids from public schools, but if that is not the enviroment you want, and you have better options then go for it is what I say. Immerrse yourself in the enviroment you want.
As far as finances go, don't worry about it too much. Your parents say its not a big issue, but remember that is alot of money and don't waste it if you decide to go private.

Greg[/QUOTE

Thanks so much for the advice! I honestly could not ask for more help and I so glad I am getting the advice and lots of encouraging words. Many people do exceed in public schools and I know quite a few, but the experiences are very different and unique- making each school incredible in different ways. This is my first real big decision so either way whatever I choose I know that there are people everywhere for support and help. I have not looked at the all around component and thank you so much for the point you provided. Thanks again :)
 
Following Up

To all those who gave me advice when I first put this up I would like to say I am so thankful for all the advice given!
I took the entrance exams (HSPT) and did very well. I have work to do though on those standarized tests. This showed me what I need to do for more important tests in the future (PSAT, SAT, ACT.)
I was accepted to the school and honestly overjoyed that I have the option to go now.
I would love anymore thoughts on this thread.
Thank you!!!!! :D
 
I'm currently a senior at a public high school. Although I can't speak for your situation, there are 2 private schools in my area that I think I would have liked to attend if my family could have afforded it.

Good luck in whatever you do and I'm glad to hear that you're starting early. I didn't start thinking about West Point until halfway through my junior year and that has obviously hurt my chances
 
I'm currently a senior at a public high school. Although I can't speak for your situation, there are 2 private schools in my area that I think I would have liked to attend if my family could have afforded it.

Good luck in whatever you do and I'm glad to hear that you're starting early. I didn't start thinking about West Point until halfway through my junior year and that has obviously hurt my chances

Hah. I'm a senior, too. I didn't realize I wanted to go to a service academy until about October 25th of this year - less than two months ago. I am in pretty good standings so far, but I wish I had realized this much sooner.
 
Its always just a good goal whether I end up going or not!
Hope you both do really well!!!
 
Hi Grace! (Yeah I agree you should not put your full name)

As someone who goes to a private catholic school, I think there are outstanding benefits to the quality of the education, rigor of courses, competitiveness, and the amount of attention you receive from guidance counselors (if you so choose to take advantage of it). If I'd gone to a public high school, where there are thousands of students and more competition, I don't believe I'd be where I am today. Going to an all girls school could be to your advantage if you excel in the school like do Varsity Sports and are in top classes. You probably won't have many girls applying to the academies either, so it won't be as competitive either (although it is based on your entire district not just your school but still). However, the downside to going to an ALL girls hs is the very fact that it IS all girls. The dynamics are slim. Going from an all girls school to a male dominated school like West Point where 15% of the class is females while the rest is male, can be a shocker for you when you enter, and it may or may not matter to Admissions. I would say that you should visit both schools, and talk to your Guidance Counselors. The key is finding out if you can ultimately excel more at one school than the other because of the options. A guidance counselor at a public HS may not be able to help you as much in the process as if you were in a smaller school and got more attention. The decision is up to you--but I would visit the HS's and go from there! Wherever you think you'll excel most!
 
Hello!

It's actually a spoof on my name....lol. Thanks for the input and I understand the all girls to a school mainly of young males! I don't think it would be a huge shock to me since right now I still go to a regular school and the fact that I get along well with the guys!
Also everything else you said was extremely helpful!!! Thanks again :D
 
try to keep in mind that its also important to go to high school where you will have fun...you don't want to sit around and do hours of homework (trust me, if you come here, you'll have plenty of that to keep you busy). You only have a chance to be a teenager once, so make the best out of it. Enjoy the present while you can, because in a blink of an eye it'll be gone.

On a side note, I went to a public high school, played football and baseball, and took advantage of every academic opportunity I had. I validated 6 courses here at West Point as a plebe, and I'm already taking yuk level classes. While working hard in high school is turning out to be beneficial now, I spent too many weekends doing homework because I was too focused on getting the grades to come here instead of being out with friends.
 
I know many people at the schools and social life seems to be a bit part of each and homework is sometimes ridicoulous but not always haha. Thanks for the advice :D
 
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