Switching Schools and its Effect on My Application

S

sci-fi girl

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Would switching schools have a negative effect on my application? I currently go to an art school, however this year we got a new writing teacher and throughout the duration of the year, I feel I haven't learned anything new from her. My old school has more opportunities and would allow me more free time to be involved in different things. I believe I could become involved with my old school's student council as I have here. The thing that is holding me back though is how this will look on an application. Will it look like I have no dedication to something if I go back to my old school or will it look like I'm striving to find the place that would allow me the most opportunities? Is there a place on the application I could explain why I left?
As always all input is appreciated if not taken with a grain of salt.
 
Assuming this is high school - USMA won't know why you transferred so they probably won't think about it at all unless you draw attention to it in your essay. It can be an opportunity for you to address in your essay stating that you transferred for a more challenging curriculum and other opportunities.

Not to disparage your current school, but USMA will look at the 'quality' of your school and they might wonder how an 'Art' school lines up with their STEM based curriculum.

Your application will include required input from instructors, so make sure you know them and they know you well enough to contribute.
 
If you want to change every time something's not to your liking, a military career might not be the thing for you.
 
You finished the year, right?
If you are done with art school, switch. Switch now and be prepared to explain it...I tried this...I wanted more rigour, more balance. (Skip the negative and emphasize the positive). I wanted to learn in an environment that supported my ultimate goals of attending West Point and serving as a leader in our Nation's Army.

You will have ample word space in your essays to explain everything that makes you and motivates you. However, if you no longer want to go to the arts school then switch and don't look back--just make sure you take a rigorous, balanced course schedule at the new school.

And, I am not your mother--so be sure to talk about it with your parents and with your guidance counselor. Be honest about your goals and the reasons for your change of heart. It can be hard but you owe it to yourself to hash this out completely.
 
We moved 2 mos into my DD's 2nd year of HS and she had no issues and was never questioned about it, at all. You must do what is best for you and get you to where you want to be. My DD received her appointment this year and will be part of the Class of 2021.

Things you should be doing.
*Get the highest class rank you can (take those challenging classes -AP/IB).
*Become a captain of a sports team or President of a club. They are looking for leaders.
*Get a great score on your ACT/SAT.
*Prepare for your CFA (also run, run, run).
*Start your application early and don't get hurt (You need to pass Dodmerbs).

Good Luck!
 
I switched from a rigorous private school to a public high school far away at the end of my sophomore year when my mother was stationed at a new AFB. I made sure to immediately register for the hardest classes the school had to offer, max out my APs, and join the football team. (Joining a sport before the academic year starts is a great way to meet people). I also took leadership positions at my new school such as student ambassador(ironic yes), and NHS president which I then wrote about in my essay. My advice is to stress to your BGO/ALO/whatever and your nominating sources that you moved and prove you continue to excel. Go to your new school counselor and discuss necessary credits, tell them you want to take on leadership roles and be involved and I promise you they will find spots for you, my counselor was such an asset to me during the academy process so I would suggest making friends with them and explaining you want to go to an academy because believe it or not schools love to say they sent a child to an academy. I can't say for sure but I have a feeling that because I placed so much weight on my move it got me my spot at NAPS despite maybe a not so competitive gpa freshman and sophomore year. Feel free to pm me with any questions :)
 
Students often change h.s. due to their parents relocating due to a change in their civilian job (or getting reassigned in the military). I doubt that has any impact on your college application. However, it is a different situation is you decide to switch BACK to the school you just left, simply because you didn't like one teacher. I would expect most colleges to ask why you did that since it would be obvious on your transcript that you changed back to the same school you left. As mentioned above, SA's look for a heavy emphasis in the STEM classes and you can see on their official websites the type of h.s. background they expect from those applying.
 
time2 said:
Students often change h.s. due to their parents relocating due to a change in their civilian job (or getting reassigned in the military). I doubt that has any impact on your college application. However, it is a different situation is you decide to switch BACK to the school you just left, simply because you didn't like one teacher. I would expect most colleges to ask why you did that since it would be obvious on your transcript that you changed back to the same school you left. As mentioned above, SA's look for a heavy emphasis in the STEM classes and you can see on their official websites the type of h.s. background they expect from those applying.
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I understand what you're saying. My train of thought is I'm at this school to learn how to write, so what is the use of continuing to go here if the new teacher doesn't teach me to write. The class has had 1 project assigned each marking period and she gave us maybe two lectures throughout the entire school year. I have more athletic and STEM opportunities at my old school. I'll likely have to go back to my old school for my senior year anyway because of circumstances that I can't control. If I have a year there already I may be able to gain some leadership positions and such.
 
I am moving for my senior year and it will be my 3rd high school. All I have to do is update my address and school. My congressional district will be the same. You should be fine.
 
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