<p>Hi, I am currently at a great NYC specialized public high school as a freshman. However, I am looking to transfer into a boarding school as a sophomore beginning in 2012. The schools I am interested in are Andover, Exeter, LC, Groton, Lawrenceville, and maybe some lesser-known ones, particularly NMH and Holderness.</p>
<p>However, I feel that I have already established a firm standing at my current public school. I am already on sports teams, joined several clubs (one of which I have a leadership position, secretary), and know some teachers/coaches well. But I feel that public school education methods + policies are weak, and would be thrilled to participate in discussion classes like the Harkness Table. However, NYC public schools simply can’t afford to use new or progressive teaching methods, besides things like Smart Boards. </p>
<p>I have a couple questions about applying as a sophomore…</p>
<p>1) CLUBS. I know on the Common App we have to write what clubs we joined and for how long. If I transfer schools though, I will not have any clubs that I did consistently for four years since I’ll be at a different school. Would this be a deterrent for me when applying to selective colleges, or should I mention it in the “Additional Information” section? What about sports (Cross country running and track)?</p>
<p>2) SCHOOL REPORTS. For most of these schools you have to submit a “school report” that also includes a recommendation from your guidance counselor or principal. My school’s principal is essentially isolated from the students so that option is out. My guidance counselor does not know most of the freshmen very well yet, and only knows a few people by name. How would things work out if I ask for a recommendation (school report) from her?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Also, is it possible for me to apply as a (1) “true” sophomore AND a (2) repeat freshman at the same time, and then get two admission offers?</p>
<p>Don’t over think this. After a semester the school should know you well enough to know you are a good student. Many students transfer to boarding school as sophomores (my daughter did) and were scrambling for reports from their new high schools. BUT you must give them reports from current faculty. So no getting around that. You can ask that person to consult with someone from your old school to help them flesh out the report if needed. You can also supplement your application (sparingly) with a recommendation from a teacher in middle school if you feel your application will be weak without it. But don’t overload the committee with a lot of extraneous stuff or it will work against you.</p>
<p>Second - each school works differently. Ask them what is preferred for applying as a sophomore versus repeat. Most prefer you to choose one or the other, but you can indicate you’d be amenable to taking a repeat freshman year. My question is - many students don’t. Why do you think you need to repeat? To enhance your chances? If so, that’s an additional year of tuition.</p>
<p>Third - you won’t get two admissions offers. See response above.</p>
<p>I think I may need to repeat because the public NYC high school curriculum is not as rigorous as private schools. My friend who was the valedictorian of middle school is now at a top tier NYC private day school, probably comparable to HADES schools in terms of academics. She is getting Bs and Cs, and if lucky, As. I was in the top 2% during middle school, and feel that repeating 9th grade would help me academically. </p>
<p>I also plan to run cross country + track for prep schools, and the repeat year would allow me to tone my running skills. Also, I think I would be better off socially if I repeat, since most students enter in 9th grade as far as I know. </p>
<p>I recall seeing a thread on CC before about repeats and a poster listed the birth years of her child’s graduating class. There were about 65 in one year and 75 in the other, so evidently in that school about half of the students that year were repeats.</p>
<p>Gotcha! It will not harm you if you repeat. Repeating at boarding school isn’t anything like repeating at public school. Colleges know it meant you wanted an extra year of rigor. You’ll take whatever courses as a repeat student that you would have taken as a sophomore coming in if that’s what is next in your course sequence. The difference is that repeating gives you an extra year to take more honors and AP courses. The cool news is there are so many extracurricular activities and electives that you can pace yourself.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have a plan and a good head on your shoulders. Go for it! Good luck!</p>