Is It Worth It to Sacrifice Subject Choice for a Better School?

LEMElinOkeke on 13/06/2023 - 20:47

If you aren't aware there is a selective school called Melbourne High, which is a highly ranked selective school. It intakes students in Year 11 for the Arts and Humanities program, my cousin who is in Year 10 wanted to join this program - for which he fulfills the requirements.

He however isn't interested nor skilled in Arts or Humanities although does have the necessary grades and background in the subjects. So is it worth it to sacrifice 4 subjects (2 in yr 11, 2 in yr 12), to join this highly ranked school?

I am not up to date with the schooling system so wanted to seek advice here.

Under the Yr 11 tab: https://mhs.vic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol/

Cheers

Education & Work

Comments

  • deme on 13/06/2023 - 20:51
    +3

    No

    • EMElinOkeke on 13/06/2023 - 20:56
      +1

      would prefer an elaboration but thankyou

      • Happyhazard on 14/06/2023 - 04:46
        +2

        I went to MHS and they are very watchful for applicants they perceive as not 'genuine' in the Year 11 intake. I have personally heard that they don't have a quota to fill and are perfectly happy to not accept any enrolments if they aren't satisfied.
        The more important issue is that choosing VCE subjects is a big decision and if he doesn't have any interest in them I would say it isn't worth switching. A few commenters have noted that switching in Year 11 is tough and by the time VCE rolls around students' success depends more on their own effort rather than the school. I'm not sure the MHS environment would really play such a big role to counteract the stress of moving schools and doing subjects he's not interested in

  • mtr on 13/06/2023 - 21:18
    +2

    Not nearly enough info here to answer the question. In all likelihood not a good idea, but depends on his current school, what he's hoping to achieve and so on and so forth.

    The biggest advantage of a selective school is that you get to see how hard others around you are working, and if you are motivated by peer pressure it can be a good thing. There are lots of disadvantages obviously beyond just the humanities piece. Switching schools in the last two years from a social perspective is hard, the competitiveness / anxiety is not for everyone.

    • Mechz on 13/06/2023 - 21:23
      +2

      But also it's a lot about who you know after school and uni. Higher performing schools give a lot of opportunities if you make good connections.

      • EMElinOkeke on 13/06/2023 - 21:27

        good perspective

      • mtr on 13/06/2023 - 21:31
        +9

        Look, is the probability of getting an opportunity through an ex-schoolmate slightly higher at schools with high Socioeconomic backgrounds? Sure. But choosing a school on the basis of that incrementally better probability of lucking into a job at some point in your 30s or something feels a bit comical.

        And switching at year 11, you're at much higher risk of not making any connections in the first place.

  • Lexus101 on 13/06/2023 - 21:43
    +5

    To me, this is an obvious choice. No.

    I have given my children advice to go with what they are truly interested in, regardless of where life takes you.

    If you are truly interested and passionate, you will always stand out and do good for yourself in whatever chosen field selected.

    Won't do courses I have no interest in. What is the point really….unless bragging rights in a top school is your main aim in Yr11.

    Cheers and good luck!

  • bargaino on 13/06/2023 - 22:00
    +2

    I don't see much point of moving to a selective school in year 11.
    The advantage in lower high school is the peers in the class. But in year 11 and 12, your subject choice is already excluding the undesirable element, if they are still in school at all.
    How bad is the school he is in now?

    • EMElinOkeke on 13/06/2023 - 22:05

      Not a bad school, it's ranked in the top 50 but he says that there is a huge 'public school' problem - since anyone can join, and the school is in a rich suburb, most of the smart kids move to a private school, leaving you with the well- you know.

      • bargaino on 13/06/2023 - 22:11
        +2

        Wow. Here in Perth there may be an element of that, but the public schools in rich suburbs are still highly regarded.
        It's more in the worst suburbs/towns, that the families who care send their kids to the local Catholic school, leaving the dregs in public.

        Is there really a "public school problem" there that affects kids who want no part of the dark side?
        I would not be moving my kids in year 11 without good reason, something actually affecting them.

      • bobbified on 13/06/2023 - 22:18

        .. since anyone can join

        It's not just "anyone". Entry is usually through the selective school exam and there's usually a lot of competition for a place. So students are with academically 'gifted' peers. The education is comparable to a private school, less the tens of thousands in fees.

        • EMElinOkeke on 14/06/2023 - 09:16
          +1

          Im referring to public schools having anyone that can join

  • dstar012 on 13/06/2023 - 22:22
    +4

    Instead of wrapping the kid in cotton wool, why not prepare him for the harshness and brutality of the world we live in? I suggest Dandenong High.
    Seriously though, I thought the point of going to these 'fancy' school were the friends you made? Come year 11-12 most kid will already have established friendship circles.

    • EMElinOkeke on 14/06/2023 - 09:17

      Dandenong high🤣 Love it. But fair point

  • Halsmich on 14/06/2023 - 01:32

    Unless the school your cousin currently goes to is absolute shithouse, then I'd suggest not. I personally went to MHS, and outside of a select few classes/teachers, I did not enjoy my time there at all. If he's really insistent on trying and going for it still though, I don't think those mandatory subjects are particularly bad - e.g. if he already was doing one of those languages then that's a good scaling subject etc etc.

  • shaybisc on 14/06/2023 - 08:35

    If he doesn't have the grades or the interest in the subjects how will he get into the program?

    • EMElinOkeke on 14/06/2023 - 09:18

      he has the grades and resume, just not the interest

      • shaybisc on 14/06/2023 - 09:27
        +1

        "nor skilled in Arts or Humanities"

        What's that mean? Can you get into an Arts and Humanities program at a selective school without being skilled in arts and humanities? How is entry into the program assessed?

  • shaybisc on 14/06/2023 - 10:30
    +2

    https://mhs.vic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol/

    Do you have an aptitude for visual or performing arts and humanities?

    • Would you like to extend your arts and humanities experiences?

    This additional enrolment enables students who are excited by the arts and humanities, and who have a demonstrated commitment to these disciplines, to take advantage of the School’s learning environment to achieve excellence.

  • Benoffie on 14/06/2023 - 20:29
    -1

    No idea about the school but nothing worse than kids taking up selective program spots designed for specific academic pursuits only so they can bolster their ATAR/improve resume/lessen perceived behavioural issues from classmates.

    Go to the local public or pay for private.

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