Moving... will lose Val status... need advice

yupyup100 · 05-16-2009, 02:12 AM

Currently, I am the top-ranked junior in my class. I have family problems, and I have to move to a new house far away, on the other side of town. Next year, I will be zoned for another school. This new school is academically stronger, significantly stronger, than the school I am currently enrolled in. Should I change schools? Sacrifice my val status in an effort to obtain a better education? By the way, I will be a senior next year.

yupyup100 · 05-16-2009, 02:32 AM

advice??????

sigurros · 05-16-2009, 02:39 AM

stop caring

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 05-16-2009, 02:42 AM

Wouldn't colleges know that you had a high class rank at the previous school?

StevenSeagal · 05-16-2009, 03:44 AM

How long is the commute?

Secret Asian Man · 05-16-2009, 08:09 AM

It's unlikely that one year in a different public school in the same public school system that may be slightly stronger academically would make much of a difference (I'm going to assume it's public because you're talking about zoning). There's not much difference in the education between two public schools in the same system, even if one seems to be much more highly ranked (unless one has a magnet program, IB program, or something like that).

If valedictorian means that much to you, then I would try to stay at the same school. But at the same time, realize that colleges will still see your performance from the last three years, and that valedictorian doesn't mean that much in the long run in the admissions process, assuming your rank is still fairly high.

AtomicCafe · 05-16-2009, 09:47 AM

At the end of the day, val status isn't the end-all-be-all. Work for your education instead of a number. It says more to be #5 in a great school over #1 at a mediocre school.

AnyaAres · 05-16-2009, 11:39 AM

Val status is nothing. most vals end up cracking halfway through college anyway. challenge yourself at this new school. don't wory about being #1. no one is ever going to ask you in life after college what your rank was in high school.

Millancad · 05-16-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

It's unlikely that one year in a different public school in the same public school system that may be slightly stronger academically would make much of a difference (I'm going to assume it's public because you're talking about zoning). There's not much difference in the education between two public schools in the same system, even if one seems to be much more highly ranked (unless one has a magnet program, IB program, or something like that).

If valedictorian means that much to you, then I would try to stay at the same school. But at the same time, realize that colleges will still see your performance from the last three years, and that valedictorian doesn't mean that much in the long run in the admissions process, assuming your rank is still fairly high.

That's not necessarily true. My public school is leaps and bounds above any school in the city. Leaps and bounds. It's better than almost all of the private schools too. The only one that's equal I can't go to because it's single sex. Really, it's better than almost every school in the state. People who fail out of my school are the best students at the other public schools around here.

gadad · 05-16-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

most vals end up cracking halfway through college anyway.

Anya, hyperbole as a literary device is one thing, but be very cautious about stating as facts things that aren't true. Your UF profs will respond by asking you to cite your sources on the facts that you claim, but clearly, there's no citable data anywhere that shows at least 50%+1 of HS valedictorians nationwide suffering nervous breakdowns in college.

zap · 05-16-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

It's unlikely that one year in a different public school in the same public school system that may be slightly stronger academically would make much of a difference (I'm going to assume it's public because you're talking about zoning). There's not much difference in the education between two public schools in the same system, even if one seems to be much more highly ranked (unless one has a magnet program, IB program, or something like that).

If valedictorian means that much to you, then I would try to stay at the same school. But at the same time, realize that colleges will still see your performance from the last three years, and that valedictorian doesn't mean that much in the long run in the admissions process, assuming your rank is still fairly high.

That's not necessarily true. My public school is leaps and bounds above any school in the city. Leaps and bounds. It's better than almost all of the private schools too. The only one that's equal I can't go to because it's single sex. Really, it's better than almost every school in the state. People who fail out of my school are the best students at the other public schools around here.

I agree. There is one school in my county that is ranked in the top high schools. (it's low, though, like in the 900's). My school is no where to be found.

Anyways, like StevenSagal said, how long is the commute?
My county allows people to go to to schools outside of their district. I know a person who goes to that school that's more highly ranked, and he use to go to my school. Maybe look into that?

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 05-16-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Val status is nothing. most vals end up cracking halfway through college anyway.

So obviously you should go to the other school, because then you won't be high school valedictorian and you'll have a much happier time in college.

jazrie481 · 05-16-2009, 05:15 PM

What's so bad about being #2?

AnyaAres · 05-16-2009, 05:26 PM

gadad- chill. it's my opinion and they asked for one. don't get all technical on me.

ThisCouldBeHeavn · 05-16-2009, 07:00 PM

It's not your opinion. You stated it as though it's a fact, and whether or not it's true could only ever be a fact.

That's like saying, "It's my opinion that Barry Bonds had 7 rebounds in Game 7 of the 1998 NBA Finals while playing for the Bulls." It's not an opinion, it's a blatantly incorrect attempt at a factual statement.