Deciding Between High School Programs: Go with your Gut

By Audrey

I steer away from using my personal NYC high school experience as concrete evidence to inform the decision-making of others. Each student is different. The process and school climate has changed (a lot…). And yet…there is one story I find myself sharing a lot at this exact point in the admissions cycle. 

It is March, 2008 and I am standing in a circle of other nervously excited eighth graders at Laguardia’s admitted students day. I had come home from the fall tour bursting with energy, blabbing about the black box theater, graffiti hallway art, and my tour guide, Anna, with the very cool swoop bangs and slouched leather boots. Now, returning to the school alongside my future classmates, I start to envision my dream high school experience. 

Two high school seniors step into the center of the circle. Time for an improv game. They model pulling an opening line from a hat and working a scene from there. Who wants to go next? Hands shoot up around me in stereotypical “pick me! pick me!” fashion. My heart begins to race. My vision blurs. I silently beg that the game is volunteer only. The larger fear creeps in. I can’t do this for four years.

I want to say I remember the admitted students day of Stuyvesant, the school I chose over Laguardia, but I don’t. There was probably no visceral reaction, just a level of awkward nerves that felt comforting. 

It is worth noting that my parents had their own reasons for thinking Laguardia was the stronger match. I was bubbly, outgoing, crafty, always loved my afterschool classes and extracurriculars more than traditional academics. I was a strong student, but stressed over tests and homework, and felt school pressure in a way they thought would be untenable at Stuyvesant. However, they also knew there was no wrong choice, just two different paths, and made clear they supported either option. In the week following the admissions letter we agonized over pros and cons, poured over school websites, had lengthy talks with current students – but, in the end, it was a five-minute improv game that made the decision. I have never once regretted my choice.

I am not saying skip the pro-con list and, professionally, I think connecting with current students provides unparalleled insights into a school’s day-to-day experience. But, personally, I can vouch that there is also value in going with your gut. Ask your eighth grader how they feel thinking about a school, and the small moments that could be windows into their experience. Maybe a teacher’s speech just sort of clicks, or a potential friend is spotted. Their sixth sense might just be the guiding force that brings clarity.