Do colleges know if you went to another school?

I'm considering transferring to another high school before I graduate. Do colleges need to know that I've attended more than one high school, and how will it affect my application?

Yes, colleges will know if you've attended more than one high school because it will be reflected on your high school transcripts. When you apply to colleges, you're usually required to submit an official transcript from every high school you've attended. This allows the admissions committee to verify all the courses you've taken and grades you've earned.

However, attending multiple high schools does not inherently hurt your application. Many students change schools due to family moves, personal circumstances, or to find an academic environment better suited to their needs. It's quite common and is generally well-understood by admissions officers.

What's more important is your academic performance and trajectory. Ideally, your transcript should show a solid performance or a progressive improvement from one school to the next. If there are gaps or dips in your grades around the time of the transfer, you may want to explain this context in the additional information section of your application or during an interview, if provided.

Please also remember that your current school counselor will likely write your recommendation letter. Make sure they know you well enough to speak to your interests, strengths, and character. Also, keep in mind that transferring can sometimes affect your eligibility for certain honors and awards that require a lengthy duration at a single high school. Make sure to plan accordingly with your extracurricular and academic commitments.