Is it worth it???

RoundGenius
Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:28:08 +0000

Hello Everyone,

The question I have isn’t about admission to prep schools, but about prep schools in general. However, there isn’t a forum for that, so I posted this hear. Does going to a prep school affect how your college application is perceived? If so, how much?

I live in San Diego, and thus have friends that go to expensive prep schools such as Francis Parker or La Jolla Country Day. I know not whether this is arrogance or truth, but the above mentioned friends claim that it is much more difficult to succeed in these schools, and that courses are much more rigorous. Therefore, they conclude that they are better suited to gain entrance into the colleges of their choice (Great friends, right?).

However, as I understand it, the teachers at both prep and public generally have the same credentials, and there are good and bad teachers at both. Also, for AP classes and tests, there is a rigid curriculum, so how much better of an education can my friends be getting, since now we almost solely take AP classes? I have also heard that having a high GPA and class rank at a public school that has low overall test scores and a low average GPA looks good. Something about how you “succeeded despite the circumstances.”

I would like to hear from everyone, but don’t want too much bias. I know that any parent who sends their kid to prep school firmly believes they are putting their kid in a much better institution, but are they really? Thoughts and feedback are appreciated. Thanks.