Does attending Prep School help with college admissions?

LACLoverParent
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:48:34 +0000

It’s hard to generalize to the full universe of “prep schools” but based on my experience there are definitely private schools whose students have an easier time with college applications. In addition to the increased opportunities that such schools provide (as already mentioned), colleges also know these schools and trust their curricula. Now, that does not mean that half the class will end up at an Ivy. But about a quarter may. And there are kids from S24’s class who have been admitted to very highly ranked LACs (for example) with somewhat checkered academic records and spotty attendance (and no hooks).

Another advantage that may or may not be specific to our particular school is that the kids have a very relaxed high school experience compared to the typical high-performing student. The school days are on the long side (due to extensive elective and extracurricular offerings) but homework is minimal and there are no AP exams with the corresponding pressure. For reasons that are a little too specific to our school for me to discuss on this forum, there is no competition for grades either.

To be clear, given that these private schools come at a VERY steep price tag, none of this is fair. And assessing the success of a private school’s college placement is complex: These schools are also more likely to have students who are legacies or the children of donors at top colleges. And prep schools that are high school only get to select high-performing students at an age at which many academic skills and habits are in place.