Chance me for stanny!

Dungareedoll
Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:04:52 +0000

For what its worth being valedictorian from a ‘small’ school does not hinder you in anyway. I know its hard to believe for everyone else who has worked super hard at their large competitive high schools but the truth is that small is actually better. (I asked this questions tons of times when we visited different schools.) Colleges have to take from everyone so when a small non-competitive school has a valedictorian that makes the cut in all the categories (like you do) you actually are in a very good position. I know this for a fact because I have a niece who went to a small private catholic school. I was very concerned that she would never stand a chance at any of the top schools/ ivies. She was Saludatorian and she did very well. Colleges like to take kids from small schools, just like they like to take kids from geographically remote or out of the norm areas. My S went to a very large competitive hs and it was actually harder for him. Remember he has more competition and the colleges know what to expect from these types of high schools, so the student has a lot to prove.

Like it or not, everything about a small school is good. For starters there is less competition, making sport teams is easier, joining clubs and securing positions in them are easier. All this occurs because the student body is so small. In addition, usually these students are able to get great letters of recommendation. Again, the school is small, with small class sizes, hence teachers know their students. As do the guidance counselors, principals etc.

Once I realized this was the case I was quite concerned for my S who came from the complete opposite background. In our HS 84 kids try out for 12 places on the Basketball team. 125 kids tried out for 2 positions on the academic team etc. etc. My S’s guidance counselor had no idea who he was and getting teacher letters were difficult. But like everything else it does work out in the end.

The one big plus to this is that my S was definitely better prepared for the rigors of college, where my niece had a tougher time assimalating, and handling the large work load.

Of course this may not hold true for all small and large high schools. I realize that but as a whole you should be fine.

You will be fine.