<p>Looking at this board, I’m often discouraged because 90% of the people here have a GPA of 3.8 or more (mostly A’s). But I was wondering how much the rigor of your high school accounts in the admissions process?
For example, do colleges compare kids who go to very famous private boarding schools (that sends 20-25/180 kids to Ivys every year) but have half B’s and half A’s to kids who go to local public schools (let’s say they send 1-2 kids every year) with all A’s?</p>
<p>Prestige ends up mattering a lot.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly.</p>
<p>JeffreyTao: I’m wondering, how much is a lot?</p>
<p>No, colleges look at everyone in context. That said, top private schools send 30% plus to ivies (plus Stanford and MIT).</p>
<p>It gets a bit complicated in percentages and statistics. Private schools have a higher chance of legacy, no financial aid(which is often a slight boost), better counselor recommendations, better teachers(hence better scores), better teacher recommendations, more opportunities, and more assistance in the admissions process.</p>
<p>Top colleges also look quite favorable toward some top schools.</p>
<p>It’s arguable how much of private schools’ success is due to colleges “liking” the prestige of the school and how much is due to what Jeffrey was saying (more opportunities making a better student), but one thing that is for sure is that colleges will look at you in the context of your school. For example, if you go to a public high school where students barely get into top schools, you better be ranked #1 or #2. However, in other schools, it may be an impressive feat just to get top 10%.</p>
<p>Yeah, I was wondering whether or not colleges expect all A’s from a kid from, let’s say, a top 10 private boarding school rather than if colleges. Thanks for replying!</p>
<p>I attended one of those elite HS that sends about 40% to top 15 colleges.
I know few kids (athletes and URMs) who got into Princeton, Yale and Chicago with sub 3.7UWGPA. However, most kids who got into top 10 colleges had 3.9+ UWGPA.</p>
<p>"… a higher chance of legacy, no financial aid, better counselor recommendations, better teachers, better teacher recommendations, more opportunities, and more assistance in the admissions process."</p>
<p>I agree with JeffreyTao.</p>
<p>Strictly grade-wise, do you still have to have 3.9+ GPA or I guess all A’s to “qualify” for Ivy League schools?</p>
<p>For example if you have a 3.54 GPA in those high schools, how does that compare to a 3.9 gpa</p>
<p>^
Depends on rank</p>
<p>Money,money, money talks .Wealthy kids go to top schools and don’t need financial aid .</p>
<p>Top 10 in public school vs. Top 20% in the other school</p>
<p>As was already said, it’s not just black and white.</p>
<p>However, someone who has a 3.0 and is number one in their class is probably going to be looked upon more favorably than someone who has a 3.8 and isn’t in the top 10%.</p>
<p>When looking at rank do advisors take in rigor of you courses?
Ex: B+ in honors class ( same as AP in our school)
Vs.
A in regular class?</p>
<p>Rigor is definitely accounted for when looking at the transcript. High course rigor is a must.</p>