Dear all, our DS accepted by PRISMS & PDS, turned down PRISMS and is currently in his first year at PDS. He’s happy socially, but the STEM is a little underwhelming – at least the science part, if not the math part. He’s considering reapplying to boarding schools, including Lawrenceville & Peddie (either as Day or Boarding), where he was waitlisted last year.
Question: are these schools significantly better than PDS, where changing schools might be worth the temporary disruption? He would have the next 3 years (or 4 years, if he reclassifies) to settle into the new school . . . Please weigh in if you have any insight – thank you so much!
I wouldn’t say better per se, but if he is not loving the STEM situation at PDS and that is a significant part of his experience, a switch to Peddie, in particular, might be worth it. Not so much because it is better but because there are plenty of offerings and many like minded students.
Either way, coming into BS as a second year is extremely common and the transition will be smooth. Reclass is also common, so I’d consider his specific situation, particularly age, when considering that option.
Only you will know if it is worth transferring. There will be no issue with him coming in as a third former at lville as the school takes a good handful of students that year. I would use your experience at your current school to really help you articulate what is missing / needed. Peddie and lville are pretty different schools so consider that as you evaluate each. Also if he really wants to change schools, does it make sense to cast a wider net, in case he does not get accepted. Good luck
Can anyone describe how the 3 schools differ (pros/ cons, strengths/ weaknesses), from what you’ve heard? (We’re new to the area, and don’t know anyone at the other 2.) Has anyone heard of students choosing PDS over the other 2 schools, or choosing Peddie over the other 2, or Lawrenceville over the other 2 – and if so, why?
All 3 of these schools are excellent, so it’s really a matter of which is best for you. We are a George family (so no dog in this fight!), and I have known families that chose George over these choices, chose these over George, and had their kids split between them. Top students at any of these schools will have the same types of excellent opportunities available to them post-high school.
PDS, as a day school, is almost certainly your best choice if you are involved in an EC that requires a serious commitment outside of school. Boarding schools have more requirements around time and involvement on campus, both to keep kids busy and out of trouble as well as to build community. Both BS have a leg up on PDS for community and diversity as neither is restricted by geography.
L’ville can be feel more “intense” while Peddie is probably the “warmest” of the 3.
As for your situation, my personal advice is to carefully evaluate a change. Know what you need, that can’t get it where you are (even creatively), and are sure it’s available where you’re landing. This isn’t just for you but also for admissions success. If there is a way, though, through another avenue, to get what you feel is missing, it might be less disruptive. (I.e., summer programs, enrichment, enrollment elsewhere/online).
If you decide to transfer, you have the benefit of your current experience for context and clarity. In thinking about PDS, consider the whole 4 years, not just first semester freshman year as you consider both your current and prospective options. There are often opportunities to increase rigor as the years progress, and many schools try to ensure that new students aren’t overwhelmed. So your process should also include asking PDS what they can do for you. Know that they will have to be involved in a transfer process and you are more likely to have good support if you try to address what’s wrong with them first.