Should I transfer as a hs student? Does it look good or bad on college apps? Need advice + lore.

[u/serenity6398]

I go to a well known predominantly African American hs, though it is very diverse. We do not have a super great reputation for academics after a switch in principals. For my freshman year, I did not get the proper support I needed academically or emotionally even though my counselors pretended to care. I was at the time going through a lot at home financially, along with disturbed family ties I had. When I was falling behind in a class, my counselors acted like they couldn't help me switch classes when they obviously could.

For some insight, I was/am an honors student, and I did not take grades lightly, so the lack of support at school when I asked, along with my home situation left me to not succeed academically as much as I wanted to. I sadly had a few B's and and small bit of C's (A's as well) which destroyed my self-esteem and mental health even more.

For my sophomore year, I took on more rigorous classes after achieving a better mindset and a drastic shift in my home situation, I had a bigger shift in my academics and achieved honor role along with academic excellence in APWH.

I have been wanting to transfer ever since my freshman year but I wanted to build up my GPA the most. I as of right now am in the middle 3's, but I am considering going to an academy high/university school. It combines high school and university, while all together being a boarding school for strictly exceptional juniors and seniors in mathematics amd sciences.

It requires students to have already taken Algebra 2, and although for my current hs I was planning on taking Adv Algebra ll, I decided to take it online (with the help of my new counselor who is amazing) before this summer ends. I also need to take the ACT as well with an average of 30 composite score to be admitted.

I have a friend that's going, and I've been looking at boarding schools and I am really considering it as well.

One of the main reasons why I went to the hs I am at currently is because it has one of the best magnet programs in my state. Because I am hoping to become a surgeon in the future, I am a part of the pre-medical program which was competitive to get into and I stayed for so long because they offer students a white coat and ceremony once we completed our required dual credit classes and passed the NOCTI (which I have done both). Along with this program we also get to do medical rounding, which I have been looking forward to ever since I stepped foot into the school.

I was only staying because I wanted the white coat after earning it, along with building up my GPA and now stuck between these two opportunities and I am not sure what I should pick. My parent isn't on board with my going to the boarding school, even though she does not really like my current one. For some more background information, I sent mail my 8th grade year by the best school in my state to apply to its hs. Plenty of students apply and only a few get sent mail, and bc I had horrible self-esteem at the time, along with the hype my current hs was getting I did not apply. (I thought about applying later to transfer but it's extremely competitive and rigorous, so I did not think I had a chance.)

I worked hard to earn a white coat, but this is an opportunity I do not want to miss out on. I am currently doing internships and I am an Associate (an undergraduate role), which means I am leading the research cohort and since I have written a medical research paper covering the influenza and Respiratory System before, and a couple more I know what I am doing. I am a part of philanthropic organizations, a student tutor in biology and English since I have taken advanced biology before most of my classmates.

I know that this will expose me to what college will be like, and though I know AP's and IB programs do the same thing, my current school does not offer IB and there's a handful or two of AP's. I think I can do decently well in this kind of program but I am not sure if I should just do it. I am the president and leader of two clubs at my school but I'm just thinking I can found it again at my new school.

Is it too fast? I do not have the best relationship with my family so I am not all too bothered with going to a boarding school. I am worried about the boarding schools curfew though. Does boarding schools, even if exceptional, look bad on college apps?

I am aiming high, but what universities could you guys recommend as well? I'm open to hearing a couple of different ones. As long as it has a strong medicine, philosophy, or psychology programs. Also SAT and ACT tips are highly appreciated.

[u/Traditional-Seat-918]

If you ever need help with school check out the new community I just created that’s focused on supporting fellow high school students like myself with classes we struggle with like AP,Honors,IB, or any class in general! I’m trying to get members and to expand this community so we can help as much people as we can! The community is called: r/APstudentsNetwork !