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Switching schools

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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
alright so i go to an elite private school in north jersey [dwight-englewood]... its a great school academically, really tough and competitive, mad hookups to colleges, and the music program is ballin, but athletics SUCK, tuition is also 25,000 dollars a year.

the town over from me [tenafly] has a really good public school, the athletics are amazing [swimming and volleyball for me -- my current school doesnt even offer swimming, nor have a ski club -GAY!] the music program is not so good which is sucky cause i do that shit, there are SHITLOADS of kids there, and its a public school so it looks worse for colleges from where im at now

at my school i have like a B average, and at tenafly i could get straight A's without trying... ive also gone to private schools my whole life and i wouldn't be used to like 30/40 kids in one class.
also money isn't great right now, my sister also goes to my school and her tuition is like 22,000 for third grade.

my boyfriend and all my friends are at my current school, im a sophemore now. so i cant really transfer after junior year

WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO?
Mar 3 2008 7:47PM
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freezed
Posts: 12973 - Karma: 500
that's an obscene amount of money for high school. there's nothing wrong with public high school. I have friends from my high school going to Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, USC. save your family 25k a year and go to the other school.
Mar 3 2008 7:52PM
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purplejumpsuit
Posts: 2208 - Karma: 157
you want to switch just for the sports or what?
the cost sucks, but id say stay in the school your at and join a sports team outside of school.
Mar 3 2008 7:52PM
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1080bio
Posts: 2042 - Karma: 5
Transfer, private schools are over rated, i go to a decent school (Union College) and theres alot of kids here who went to private schools and my experience working with people on projects is that the kids who went to public school seem to be smarter.  I went to a public school which is probably comparable to teanfly (Ramsey HS) and i saw nothing wrong with it.  I also feel like colleges base your acceptances more on SAT and overall GPA and less on where you went to school. 
Mar 3 2008 7:53PM
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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
not just for sports, but also because i might
a) get better grades
b) save the parents money
c) be able to do my sport

cant join club teams outside of school because the practice times are whack and they're all like a half hour away.
Mar 3 2008 7:55PM
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comeatmebro
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 66
whattttttt 25k a year?! i would DEFINITELY switch schools. save your rents the money, shit they could buy you so much shit with 10k of that and save the other 15k. i think colleges look more at SAT's and GPA...
Mar 3 2008 7:56PM
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skifree919
Posts: 5842 - Karma: 35
Swtich schools, well maybe. I'm from bergen county as well, i graduated from Northern Highlands in 2006. Yes you may have a slightly better chance of getting into a really good college, but if you work hard in public school, you'll get into a good college. Tenafly is a really good public school as well. I graduated from public school and i am now enrolled at dartmouth, which is a pretty good school. Its actually funny because my roomate went to tenafly public high school. So yea, if money is a big issue, switch. College will be more expensive, but you will probably be able to get some good financial aid packages depending on the school and other things too. Public school is sweet, and classes are around 20-30, not 30-40. 
Mar 3 2008 8:05PM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
Public school is wayyyyy more relaxed and if you choose the right one you could have a great time. I was the same as you and I transferred junior year and love every bit of that decision. Do it. Parties are better and way nire frequent at my school now than they were at my old school. That could just be my school, but still. Also you can get away with a whole lot of other shit too at public school. Today we started a water fight with full on water balloons and super soakers on the senior lawn at lunch, and we stopped and let the principal come to the middle, and then pelted him with water balloons. Would never happen at my old school.
Mar 3 2008 8:16PM
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bigwhite.steeze
Posts: 8227 - Karma: 1,030
anyone else realise that they are paying TWENTY TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR!!! for a kid in grade 3. like holy shit i wish my parents had that much money to throw away each year...
Mar 3 2008 8:32PM
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roor
Posts: 946 - Karma: -80
i like how people ask a bunch of 14 year olds for advice when it could really effect their life

Mar 3 2008 8:34PM
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snowbird4life
Posts: 2265 - Karma: 26
25,000 dollars a year and you cant spell sophomore.

u better get to that public school playa.
Mar 3 2008 8:35PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
if you work hard enough in a public school you can get into just as good colledges, plus then your parents can save up and pay you through colledge. or you can bank the money and invest it. or in my opinion, buy an EVO ix and rip shit up all summer long...
Mar 3 2008 8:36PM
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Bepo
Posts: 8195 - Karma: 17
I was in a similar situation, I had always gone to an all boys private school, including a new school for freshman year.  It was 10k a year, alright academics, and REALLY good sports.  I did really well in school, but wasn't able to play hockey or lax because they were D1 and recruited people just for sports (my senior year they were the best in the state for lax).  I ended up going to my local high school, which actually had better academics, and a brand new building.  Best decision of my life.  The classes were better, and I could actually play sports (started varsity lax every year there).
Mar 3 2008 8:40PM
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R-Bertsch
Posts: 4719 - Karma: 20
you'd really be suprised... its all politics man, i have a bunch of friends that went to a very very wealthy private school in cincinnati, and kids i know that had much lower gpa's than me got into schools that i didnt just because their parents shell out 20 g's a year for highschool.
Mar 3 2008 8:56PM
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mackattack
Posts: 581 - Karma: 10
are you a freshman?
Mar 3 2008 8:56PM
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skifree919
Posts: 5842 - Karma: 35
im actually a sophomore. I'm sure dwight sends a shitload of kids to ivy league schools and other top tier schools, but tenafly is a good school and if you work hard there you will definitely be able to go somewhere good
Mar 3 2008 8:58PM
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purplejumpsuit
Posts: 2208 - Karma: 157
then yes switch schools.
Mar 3 2008 9:00PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
I'm not sure if its the same in the states, but universities in Canada don't give a fuck if your parents paid 25,000 in tuition for high school. They only care about how your grades are at the school and the provincial exams. In short private school kids are wasting their money if they think it will help them get into  college! Its about academics and not the size of your parents wallet.

I know allot of private school kids will claim that their education was better, but its not! Most private school kids that I have met have had more trouble dealing with real world issues. And many studies have been conducted, middle class children who are not mixed with working class children do not perform better academically.

It makes me sick to hear that people are given preference to be accepted into college based upon which high school their parents could afford. What kind of an elitist school does that?

So do yourself a favor, go to public school and get a grasp on the real world. And put the money your parents are spending on tuition and save it and pay for your entire degree!
Mar 3 2008 9:20PM
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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
well i like the education im getting at this school because the teachers are very very good, there are smaller classes, the middle and high school are now equipped with tablet pc's, which are really helpful in MST...
but an honors course in a public school doesn't compare to one in a private school, at least in this situation
one of my friends moved to tenafly and then came back a year later because it was way too easy for her, so thats what im worried about.

getting an A at my school is better than getting and A at tenafly and many colleges out there know it.. so yeah
Mar 3 2008 9:34PM
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comeatmebro
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 66
i am agreeing with this guy. seriously, 100k to go to fucking highschool? you could pay for fucking college with that shit. or close to it. and like he said i think they MIGHT take it into account somewhat, but you making Bs there or you could hold above a 4.0 with AP classes at this public school...seems like a no brainer to me...
Mar 3 2008 9:38PM
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St.Steezy
Posts: 4228 - Karma: 20
you've been in private school all your life.. It's defintely a change of atmosphere. I went to private school all my life, although it only cost about 6 grand for my brother and I per year. But from experience, most people who left for public school usually came back in grade 11 or 12. You've grown up with the structure of private school and when you change schools its totally different. I uno, I would recommend you to stay even if it cost a ridiculous amount. Chances are if you leave you'll end up going back for senior year because thats where your friends are.
Mar 3 2008 9:43PM
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hurrisun
Posts: 6284 - Karma: 49
public school kids wont like you and dont act like its such an easy switch i think you are actually going to do real bad and be lost in the public school system after being pampered through private school
Mar 3 2008 9:48PM
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DDrem.
Posts: 3552 - Karma: 24
first things first, dont make your decision pending on your boyfriend. as a sophomore, i seriously doubt you plan on going out for the next two years, through college, and end up getting married, so its pointless.
that being said, i say transfer. the public school is cheaper, offers all the things you like in a good way, and youll still be able to see all your friends plenty of the time and its always good to make new friends. i go to an esteemed private school myself and i dont think it makes that much of a difference getting into college. if you get straight A's at public school, excel in sports and music, im sure plenty of fine schools will take you with no qualms.
also, tell your parents to get the 3rd grader the fuck out that school
Mar 3 2008 9:51PM
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Benedetto.
Posts: 2526 - Karma: 64
30/40 kids in a class? wtf no public high schools have that many people in a class. and yeah private schools look better for college but straights in public schools with ap classes are the same fucking thing. its like people are lying to you to make you scared of public schools. and this is north jersey for goodness sake, not like your about to go to school in patterson
Mar 3 2008 9:56PM
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St.Steezy
Posts: 4228 - Karma: 20
ha, even up here in Canada, post-secondary still has preference towards elite private high schools.. My entire education was in private school and same goes for most of my friends, and I'd say we turned out just fine. We didn't go to one of those 20 grand a year schools, it cost only about 3 grand year. Still a fair amount of money. I would agree with you that it is indeed a waste of money if you think its going to get you in university but I would argue that private school is not a waste of money nor time. If you have the oppurtunity to attend a private school take it and enjoy it.
Mar 3 2008 9:57PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
By all means if you want to spend your money on a private school go ahead.

In the long run though if you're want to maximize your dollar you'd be better off going to public school, and  paying to get a tutor and joining athletic or whatever club you're looking for exp. band, dancing or theater.

You'd probably get just as much of an education and experience for a better price.

Personally I just think private schools are a bit silly when there's a good education system within Canada.
Mar 3 2008 10:50PM
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JayDope
Posts: 6842 - Karma: 408
holy shit 25 g's for u and 22g's for ur sister, dayum. I live in North Jersey also, i go to Wayne Hills, public school, and kick assssss sports. I remember back in the day before HS i played tenafly in soccer and they had 2 girls on their team, and they were pretty good to. Get out that private school, madd $ if u ask me and thi is kind of personal, but what do ur parents do for a living?
Mar 3 2008 10:56PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Again I don't know much about colleges in the states but I'd imagine that what school you've attended would be the last deciding factor for acceptance.
they would look at the following first.
A. GPA
B. Provincial Exams (I think the states has SAT's?)
C. Extra Curricular Activities
D. Community Service
E. Race (you think it doesn't matter, but  it does, exp natives are more likely to be accepted because the government puts major funding into them.)
F. What country you're from, Universities get way more in tuition from international students.

After all of those and its still border line maybe they'll look at your school.

Mar 3 2008 11:04PM
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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
my mom is a packaging developer at avon [she designs the bottles and labels for makeup, shampoo, soap, etc..]
my dad is a musician [writes, produces, edits video, records]... long hours, no money
lol so my mom is the man of the household
Mar 3 2008 11:18PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
$25k for high school is absolutely absurd. I'm not sure what the case is on the east coast, but if a high school is "too easy," there are almost always ways to make it much harder, and more practical.
I would sincerely doubt 100 grand for highschool will yield a college prospect that is so much better than that of a public high school, especially if your average is the way it is. But usually admissions are based more on SAT shit and essays, rather than GPA (but a solid GPA doesn't hurt).

Sorry to be blatant, but I think your parents are stupid for spending that much on high school. You could get so much more out of that kind of expenditure, and still get a good education.
Mar 3 2008 11:30PM
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kingarthurs
Posts: 1126 - Karma: 10
this is likely true.  and colleges absolutely take into account the difficulty of a school: you said it yourself, you could get straight A's at public school, but your an average student at your private school.  colleges don't overlook this, they realize what schools have a harder curriculum.  however, that isn't to say you cant get into just as good a college from a public school.  also, who fucking cares about high school athletics, just play the ones your interested in.  if your willing to switch schools just because the other school has a better football team, well, then your pretty fucking dumb.
Mar 3 2008 11:39PM
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Nico_G
Posts: 1480 - Karma: 15
I went from a private school that was pretty good to a public school in one of the best school district in California. We ended up savimg 10grand a year and got a better education and tighter people. I would definately do it even though it might be a little intimidating at first.
Mar 4 2008 12:01AM
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dammitmike
Posts: 2530 - Karma: 24
^ seriously my college tuition would be about 1/3 of your highschool tuition without including any scholarship/financial aid. my sisters tuition at the university of maryland is even about half of yours.

is the decision really up to you though? i feel as though your parents really arent concerned about the money if they are dropping nearly 50k a year on tuition for their kids.
Mar 4 2008 2:38AM
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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
nah its not that... my school doesn't offer my sports [swimming, skiing] and they have a much better volleyball team


the decision is basically up to me, but my dad keeps hinting about catholic schools and the public school im thinking about, and they threatened to take me out of my school if i have any C's for second semester.
Mar 4 2008 3:58PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
just go to a public school. save you parents some $$. i mean shit they're gonna have to pay for college too. do them a favor
Mar 4 2008 4:01PM
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eastAR5
Posts: 15084 - Karma: 730
private schools are commonly $30,000 and up on the east coast.....its different


i went to 3 different high schools, 3 private schools, 2 public schools


i just got used to it, in the end I would of rather given up skiing everyday for public school easily




high school was fucked up for me
Mar 4 2008 6:36PM
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afton_steeze
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 92
bump
Apr 1 2008 5:11PM
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ax_murderer
Posts: 3322 - Karma: 30
do them a favor? they obviously want her to go to private school or they woudnt pay it. i liked my private school a bunch, and i'd say you get alot more attention and a better education
Apr 1 2008 5:28PM
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TerminatorX
Posts: 3087 - Karma: 169
i went to a private high school freshman year then switched to a public school sophomore  year  and  the at the private school, it was way easier to get good grades. i had a 3.7 gpa. now, my senior year in high school, i have a 3.25 and the classes are a lot harder even though i took honor classes at both schools. so dont think that because its a public school, it will be easier.
Apr 1 2008 5:38PM
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thelazyboy
Posts: 498 - Karma: 35
this sentence shows how much you learnt
Apr 1 2008 6:00PM
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samskisalot
Posts: 711 - Karma: 12
first off, 25k it a boatload of money, its over twice what im paying for college. and if you do good at public school, you can get into pretty much any college. (kids from my PUBLIC school have gone on to yale, stanford, harvard etc.) bottom line, its the student, not the school that determines your success.
Apr 1 2008 6:03PM
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Owen.
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 13
I go to a private school in toronto (Ontario, Canada) and the tuition is pretty much the same as yours, maybe a little more, and I used to think that it was a waste and stuff like that but it really isn't

First of all, you DO get a better education most of the time, the teachers are alot better, and you get better attention

it DOES help getting into better universities - Even if you go to a public school, and have straight A's, when you apply to universities, since there is no standard marking system for high schools (Other than SAT's) they compare your marks, to the performance of people that went to that university, because an A at one school, isn't an A at another.
What that means is that if you have decent grades at this private school, when you apply to universities, most of the time those decent marks will hold more weight than Straight A's at an easier public school

Also, if your parents have the money to spend on a good education, its no big deal

Sports also aren't a good reason to change to a public school, unless you plan on going somewhere with these sports (I mean seriously, the olympics or something, and you think going to this school will help you get there) then stay at the good school
Apr 1 2008 6:08PM
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_alli_
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 34
I disagree with this for a few reasons.  Yes universities may look at the fact that you went to a private school, but unless you're looking for scholarships at the ivy league schools, you should be fine with straight A's and a lot of extra curricular activities.  It seems like these sports are important to you so I would definitely consider that.  Life isn't all about acedemics and getting good grades.  Universities (and companies hiring graduates for that matter) look for well rounded people with a lot of skills and interest, not just robots who do well academically.  Try not to think too much about leaving your friends and your boyfriend, because it's not hard to keep in touch with them, and though this may sound harsh, it's a good way to find out which of your friends are worth keeping.   
Apr 1 2008 7:46PM
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Ericpbp
Posts: 3161 - Karma: 24
Im sure you will still get into a great college even if you switch
most important is gpa and SAT as well as being involved.  The only downside i can see with the switch is the lack of a good music program.

I say switch.  higher Gpa and more involvement, spend less money$$


Apr 1 2008 8:00PM
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BMskier
Posts: 3363 - Karma: 365
dont switch, unlesss your a good athlete are are really confident your going to go D1 and pro. stay at the private school, suc if athletics is now your amazing part of your life then there is no way public school will help you in the long run. i switched from public high school to a private one and i like it way more and i am going to do better in life overall. if athletica is your thing then go for it...and also your current school is gay for not having a ski club...you should start one..alls you need is 3 people to start most clubs at schools. DONT SWITCH
Apr 1 2008 8:05PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
Maaaaaaaaan, 22K a year for grade 3! WTF? Your parents have deep pockets cousin.
Apr 1 2008 8:17PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Pretty much did the same as you, after switching to public, I've never looked back.
Apr 1 2008 8:47PM
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