I have the option of attending (and graduating from) St. Paul’s school in Concord, NH. I’m going into my Junior Year, but I missed the applications for this fall - however, if I complete my Junior Year at my current high school I am able to go to St. Paul’s for my Junior and Senior year there. I’d have to do Junior year twice in order to attend St Pauls. This is because they only accept students applying for two or more years. Is it worth it? I’ve read stats saying 80% of St. Paul’s students go to a Top 30 University. I know the school is highly respected, but would doing Junior year twice be a turn off to colleges?
To be honest, going to that high school just for the chance that you’ll get into a top 30 university is kinda a waste of time. Regardless of where you go, if you’re not self determined and hardworking you wont succeed even if it’s a great high school so it’s really you who can make the difference, not a school. Enjoy your high school years with your current friends and environment (unless of course you strongly despise this environment) because it’ll be over so fast. Repeating junior year twice is just not worh it. You can do great at your own school and still get into great colleges, especially since it’s just undergrad it doesn’t really matter that much. I’m sure in 20 years someone who went to that high school vs you who both got the same degree and stuff will be pretty equal, it really isn’t worth having to do an extra year of school, especially junior year. Also, colleges will definitely want to know why exactly you felt the need to switch schools and repeat your junior year. I think that switching just for the 80% top 30 college rate is like wow you’re that obsessed with getting into a top 30 that you’d do that… (not my thoughts but it could be how some adcoms/colleges see it). They don’t like seeing people who are obsessed with things like that. Personally, I think you can get into a top 30 without that school & repeating a year if you work hard and challenge yourself as much as you can and I’m sure you’re probably doing that already. Kids get into top 30 colleges from high schools all around the country/world- whether it be the #1 ranked school or a not so great one- in the end, colleges compare you to your classmates within the context of your school, not to other schools. So essentially you would be competing with a lot of the people from this prestigious high school which could actually maybe lessen your chances if you’re not at the top of your class. No reason for spending an extra year to get into a specific high school on the off chance that it will actually make thaaaat much of a difference in the admissions game of getting into a top 30 school. You don’t need that school to succeed. But of course, this is just my opinion! In the end, it’s your choice. best of luck!!
Plenty of kids repeat their junior year (and then stay for their senior year) at elite boarding schools. Colleges aren’t turned off by that as long as you can explain, thoughtfully, your reasons for doing it and what you got out of it. Frankly it’s a very similar concept to doing a PG year, but this might be a better fit for some who might not fall into the PG bucket which is very athletics-oriented.
repeating…PG year…tomato/tomatoe. If you are a top student you have a better chance of getting into a top school from a public school outside of New England (East Coast). There are wonderful colleges and universities across the country but most lists include the Ivies and the CA schools plus a handful more. St Pauls is a wonderful school but these places are not paradise and they have their own issues. They cost a fortune unless you are full FA. It can be hard to transition to these schools for many kids. You dont need any bumps right now in your record. As a freshman or sophomore you have a bit more time.
I agree with the comments above, repeating a year will not harm your college admission chances. I repeated my sophomore year to attend a private institution and haven’t regretted it. That being said, attending a private school only to increase your college admissions chances is a risky move. There is no guarantee that attending a private school on its own will increase your chances, but attending one will open up new opportunities for you to take advantage of. Good luck!
In my opinion, if you are interested in St. Paul’s just apply!! You can make your decision later on whether or not for sure that you are going to attend it based on FA, personal preference, etc. I know of a few people who have repeated junior year, and though the transition might be hard, overall it boosts your academics and gives you an extra year to take new classes and look at some new extracurriculars. I personally think it would be worth it.