Which school would you choose?

[jagmeister]

My daughter needs to decide whether to attend the county Science & Technology school or her area "normal" HS. Obvious advantage for the GT school is the higher learning. Disadvantage is the high competition. With top universities so selective now days, it is a difficult decision. I don't think my daughter will break out at the GT school. So do improve her chances for the best colleges by holding back the quality of her education? This is a dilemma no parent should have to face!

What would you do?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What is her job goal and what is her desired colleges?

 

[jagmeister]

She wants to be a doctor and wants to attend UVA. I understand it's a tall task coming from Northern VA because of the competition.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

University of Virginia? Here is a site to help you. Also I would call the admissions office as well. Maybe someone will have some sage advice for you. I would go to the source.

What are the stats as far as graduating seniors for attending UVA as far as either school?

Make sure you take notice of the HS classes that are offered and the requirements required. I have found this is the biggest hurdle we are facing for my dd. It apppears the UVA has a significant "extra" requirements for admission. Go find out the info from the college itself. It may help with the decision.

Good Luck!

http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=2350&type=qfs&word=UVA

 

[puffkin]

I say take the pressure off and let her attend the regular school. There is so much pressure in high school, why add to that? Also, I wouldn't put too much credit in the so-called top schools.

I went to a small, less prestigious college for accounting. I could have gone to a more prestigious school, but I decided not to. After I got my degree, I went for my CPA and got that. In the business world, they could care less where I went to school, all they care about is the CPA.

The medical (and legal) professions are the same way. I know others who have gone to small, local colleges and have gotten good grades and went on to med school (law school). When they get licensed, noone cares what school they went to.

Good luck with your decision. Just make sure to include your daughter in it.

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by puffkin
Also, I wouldn't put too much credit in the so-called top schools ... they could care less where I went to school, all they care about is the CPA.

Interesting and perhaps true in the accounting world, definitely not true elsewhere. Top schools are the golden ticket in consulting, investment banking, engineering ... certainly there are jobs to be had for hard workers from local schools, but it's a more arduous path.

You said Northern Virginia ... is she looking at Thomas Jefferson? If she's in, she should go. I knew a ton of TJ'ers in college (I think there were 6 or 7 in my class alone - they sent as many as Phillips Exeter) ... even mediocre grades at TJ will be enough for UVA, assuming she backs it up with extracurriculars. More importantly, if she's bright, she'll love the place, she'll be surrounded by others just like her.

One other point: the poster above me warned you to include your daughter in the decision - honestly, not so important. I was told "you're going to prep school, but you can transfer out if you don't like it." Come Christmas, for curiosity's sake, I asked if I could transfer out. I was told "no." End of discussion. Even now I bust my mother that she was an overt liar, and she grins, but she knew that with the scholarship I had, prep school was a huge gift that I might not yet be mature enough to appreciate. You're the mom. You're the boss. It's your call.

 

[Christine]

If you're talking about Thomas Jefferson, that will probably almost guarantee her entrance into UVA. I know a few seniors that have excellent grades in the regular high schools, do all types of extracurricular stuff, and STILL can't make the UVA cut. Are you in Fairfax County? We are in Prince William.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just want to know if it was TJ? If so, then I just have to say that the DIS is great for answers. WOW!

 

[jagmeister]

It is TJHS. I just heard that so many of the TJHS students apply for UVA that they (UVA) limits how many they accept. Not sure my daughter can stand out enough at TJHS to warrant acceptance.

 

[danacara]

My impression (I don't know for sure) is that the cream of the crop at TJ heads out of state for college, and UVA picks up the middle tier of students. If it were me, as I said earlier, I'd send her. It's an awesome opportunity, among the best high schools in the country and free to boot. UVA will be impressed that she put herself in that kind of academic environment, was willing to push herself, even if she isn't #1 there. It's better to be in the middle of the best than the best of the middle, and the school thinks she's capable, else they wouldn't have accepted her. Perhaps as important as which high school she picks is whether or not she plays sports, that absolutely helps in admissions.

Good luck to you both!

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by jagmeister
It is TJHS. I just heard that so many of the TJHS students apply for UVA that they (UVA) limits how many they accept. Not sure my daughter can stand out enough at TJHS to warrant acceptance.

I have heard the UVA severely limits how many in-state students they accept period. I know you're probably thinking that if she is tops at her class at a public school, she'll have an even better chance. Maybe, but I'm just not sure it works that way.

A friend of mine got into UVA on above average grades (not straight A's) because she did Shot Put. She got a full scholarship. She was coming out of Robinson. So, really, you just never know. But if she has the opportunity to go to TJ and really wants to go, I don't think I'd pass that up.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

True, because if she does not get in to UVA then TJ with help her with her other schools on her back-up list.

 

[Winka]

Schools do take into consideration the competitiveness of the secondary school...and who knows? The competition may drive your DD to excel there beyond your wildest imagination.

For myself, I'd rather surround myself with brighter, more creative peers than stand head and shoulders above just mediocre ones.

 

[mom2boys]

Graduates from certain schools can "pick" their college. Graduates from other schools - even the cream of the crop - sometimes have to settle for 2nd, 3rd, even 4th choice. If the science & tech school will give her "pick" of colleges AND you think she will be successful and content there, I would send her.

(I use "content" not "happy" because teenagers....)

 

[monarchsfan16]

Go here
It's a discussion board a lot about college. There are some really knowlegeable people over there that know college admissions really well. That website has been an absolute blessing for me, and I bet they could help to answer your question too.
Quite frankly from what I've seen (my best friend is in a prep school), competition at the high end schools is cut throat and can cause some really nasty break downs. Also, at a prep school like that, where everyone is really bright, the competition for college admissions is fierce. I had the opportunity to go to a semi private high school, but was rejected, and that too has been a blessing for me. My public high school is absolutely perfect. We could have appealed the decision, and used my dad's alumni connections to get me in, but we went with our gut and we definitely did what was right (looking back I think dad missed out on a good chunk of stuff that had to be dealt with for admission and that was the problem).
Take a real good look at both schools. Is there a way you could talk with guidance counselors at each? Kids can go anywhere from public schools; we're not the best in the state by any means, but send kids off to Ivies each year. In the end go with your gut, but please make sure your daughter will be happy. High school is nasty. You've got to be in a place you'll be comfortable with.