@foxrye Oh gosh I am so sorry to read this!! I feel like we went through that first admissions cycle together a couple of years ago, so I feel invested in your happiness. I’m so sorry. You’ve been given some good questions to consider. I would add that I personally would not let “oh is junior year too late to make a change?” worries come into the picture. Sure, it’s hard. But if a change is really the right thing, then if you were my kid, I would be thrilled to help you honor your soul.
That said – as others have mentioned – are you sure changing schools will solve the problem? (or is grass greener). And are you confident that the issue has gotten to where you truly do want to leave? (or, is this week just a particularly crappy week so leaving sounds really, really good right now?).
If you have felt this way consistently for a number of weeks, even on “good days,” then you might have your answer to whether you really do want to leave.
And depending on the situation, probably only you can answer with any certainty if another school would be “better” since we don’t know the details (and we don’t need to know them).
If you are under the impression that only Hotchkiss and Peddie are uniquely qualified to be the solution, then I would gently suggest that perhaps it’s a yellow flag to signal you might not be fully thinking this through.
IF you decide to go the transfer route, then know that you are supported certainly by me, but also probably others here who have gotten to know you over the past couple of years.