How does the high school you attend impact admission?

Pathnottaken
Sun, 22 May 2022 18:09:56 +0000

There are lots of variables here, but colleges also want to create more diverse campuses so they are looking beyond the “top” schools. Some magnet programs do not reflect the rest of their district socio-economically and they are looking further.

Colleges do look at a school’s average scores and GPAs compared to the applicants. They look at the rigor of courses available and what you took.

They also notice if you hop from one school to another and your rank is all of the sudden at the top of the “new” school. So think before you make any moves.

A public high school’s ranking in USNWR drives some of where AOs out recruiting may visit, but if your school is near some highly ranked schools they may swing by. The high school counselor or principal needs to respond to their requests though.

Letters of recommendation and essays matter more to some colleges. This process is cultivated at some high schools and haphazardly attempted at others.

There are kids who do not end up standing out in highly competitive magnets, governors’ schools, or private schools that may have been able to have more opportunities to shine at their home zoned school or local charter school.

Many of the top merit scholarships are going to students who have gone beyond the walls of school to volunteer, do research, or help out in some way. You can do that from anywhere.