Do colleges care about your high school?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>So I am attending a terrible high school, and I am curious as to how that would reflect upon my application. Many people I ask, say it doesn’t matter, others say it could help for you, and even some say it could work against you.</p>

<p>Some facts about my high school…</p>

<p>-63% graduation rate
-The school is in the process of being shut down by the State of New York due to its academic under performance.
-The district has been under legal scrutiny regarding questionable money transactions and sale of district property.
-Budget cuts have cut JROTC and other clubs, combined sports with other schools (essentially cutting them), laid off faculty, sold buildings.
-On average, 20 students each year get arrested, and around 50 others drop out.</p>

<p>So my question is… how will colleges look at a high school like this? Will it have an impact on my college apps or will the affect be negligible?</p>

2

<p>I think high schools do affect college’s decision somewhat, but I don’t know exactly how much. If a school is known for its challenging courses, a person with a 3.6 GPA may still be considered highly. I also know sometimes ‘crappy’ schools have the label AP on some classes, but do not actually prepare students well for the exams. I think if you can go and get good grades and do well on exams like SAT’s and AP’s (which offer a fair comparison of you to other students everywhere academically), colleges wouldn’t hold it against you not going to a good school.</p>

3

<p>I’m from Buffalo. My city is a joke, let alone my high school :p</p>