Hi, I was accepted into two schools, Peddie and Blair, and while these are two WONDERFUL schools, these were not the schools that I was aiming for. My parents tell me to attend either one of the schools and then transfer to another school after my freshman year. Is it better for me to attend Peddie or Blair if I want to transfer to a higher-ranked school in the future?
As you know, it takes a lot of time and effort to create an application, and I want to go to a school where the guidance counselors are willing to help me with my transfer. I also want to go to a school where my extracurriculars don’t impede on my studies, which would create problems for when I have to take lots of time to create my application and write my essays. For reference, I’m a swimmer, dancer, jazz singer, and a flutist. I also wish to attend a school where all these activities are available. Thank you.
Yes I understand but my circumstances have made it so that I need to attend a different school abroad. It will be really difficult for me to apply again to a higher-ranked one from my current school next year. Is Peddie or Blair a better choice for transferring in the future?
My guess is that if this is your attitude walking into either of these 2 schools, you will not develop the relationships required to acquire valuable recs, and you will burn bridges in the process, which will not fare well in college admissions or anything else for that matter. Love the school that loves you or stay where you are.
neither will help you transfer out and it is hard to transfer from BS to BS unless you have a valid reason. You won’t have enough time to do your ECs and complete your school work if you are focused on BS applications. Blair and Peddie are wonderful schools and are both Top 50 with great opportunities, no need to leave because they aren’t as “prestigious” or famous. They both have great matriculation but Blair happens to be farther from a city than Peddie. Just do more research to figure out which school fits you, they are the ones that picked you!!!
I know of one case where the student transferred UP (from one GLADCHEMS to another) but that was after 2 yrs in the school plus a study abroad PLUS getting reclassed ….a very unique case clearly
This is not like college transfers which happen often and after 1 yr - Not an avenue I would assume to happen easily for anyone in BS
Agreed. The only “transfers” I’ve known about are for significant social/academic problems (where current school is well aware that it is a poor fit), athletic recruits or on occasion a PG year (recognizing that that is not a transfer).
Almost any of the boarding schools discussed on here can provide the academic opportunities needed for a top college application. And often it’s easier to shine as a top student rather than at the middle of the pack at a place like PEA or PA.
Current high school senior here. I moved not by choice many times, most recently in 10th grade. It’s more valuable, both for college admissions and general experience, to stay at one place and build relationships with faculty and friends. 4 years isn’t a long time. You’ll gain more leadership positions and networks, and reach a higher “status” within the school. You have some great options, best of luck. I personally know a friend from Peddie who loves it. Both of these schools have enough to propel you into a successful college or career - it’s up to you to take it!
That is not their job, and they will be very busy advising the seniors and writing their recommendations.
You will be able to pursue these activities at either, however their is a big difference swimming at Blair (winter only, not particularly strong) and Peddie (three seasons, one of the top prep programs). Understanding this is important.
I agree with others that if you go, you need to embrace it. Why do you HAVE to transfer? What do you think you will get at another school that you won’t get at these schools?
You should not pick either school based on hopes it will get you to another school. Schools are generally uninterested in helping kids transfer out and I think there will be a perception at the schools you are thinking of applying to that you are more interested in the reputation of a boarding school than anything else. I think generally students and families underrate the degree to which schools are looking to find families who will invest as much in the school (including after graduation) as the school is investing in them.
Also, BS is a hard enough adjustment without having one foot out the door when you get in. Go to both schools for revisit and imagine four years there. Talk to the music directors and the swim coaches during those days, too.
And FWIW, my daughter was accepted at GLADCHEMMS and Peddie and we chose Peddie because it was the place that gave us the best feeling about where to spend her 4 years. We did not think twice about Niche rankings or anything like that.
What is it specifically that you were aiming for that Peddie (great school and swimming) doesn’t offer? And please don’t say “higher-ranking” because that doesn’t indicate what you actually need that Peddie doesn’t offer.
Swimming, dancing, jazz singing, and playing the flute are literally your own chosen ECs. It’s not up to a school to not force you to do ECs, it’s up to you to figure out how to balance your own interests with your studies. That is your choice, not the school’s.
I can promise you, Peddie will more than get you where you want to go in college and life.
This is crazy. Makes no sense to transfer from one boarding school to another for prestige sake. Both are excellent schools with fantastic reputation.
What exactly were you aiming for? Andover, Exeter and the like? If you think that higher prestige of HS = better college admissions chances, thats not really true. You’d be better off staying at Peddie or Blair.
First congratulations as you have read on this site many qualified students did not secure any acceptances. I would like to caution you following rankings. First there are multiple organizations that do rankings with differing criteria yielding different results and truthfully some of niches rankings may no sense nor will they adjust them. For sure some schools attract different types of students, but at all of these schools there are smart ones. You need to take the time to really dig in and understand your choice. It will be very difficult to transfer additionally if you spend your year anticipating transferring you will never really appreciate BS and the opportunity in front of you, additionally you are less likely to put your best self forward to get into another school. I image you saw the work that goes into applying, consider how that will work at BS where most of your time is accounted for and you are on your own. Lastly I would like you to consider some of the top schools are filled with all A high preforming students, probably all were at the top of their class. Once they are all together they are no longer all A students bc the benchmark gets recalibrated. Consider where you want to attend and why. Where will you fit into the mix. You could really shining at the schools set before you. Remember all colleges only take a % per high school. You may actually do better being the big fish vs just a fish. Just something to consider.
I don’t disagree with the general sentiment but it would be a mistake to think Blair or Peddie are academic slackers. There are plenty of extremely bright, high achieving, kids at both and while neither has a competitive atmosphere, being at the top at these schools is no easier or less impressive.
It is better for you to attend the school that best fits who you are right NOW, embrace the experience the first year, and let the chips fall where they may.
Do not even consider applying as a transfer your first year.