<p>I’m basically wondering what my chances of getting into for Harvard and MIT when taking these programs, although I want to know how the quality of high school comes into play as well.</p>
<p>Cambridge “AICE” Programme - (Basically A-levels) - [Cambridge</a> AICE Diploma](<a href=“http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/aice]Cambridge”>Cambridge AICE Diploma)
This would be taken at a relatively poor school (Federal Way High School), it’s pretty much a school where very few actually care about their education, mostly just a small amount in the Cambridge program itself (not to mention the building is just terrible, practically an enlarged elementary). </p>
<p>Although I hear that A-levels are much better than AP in some situations… This school does not rank nationally nor out of the top schools of my state. The number of A level and AP classes offered here is pretty limited too, everyone pretty much follows the same basic course from freshman to senior. (This school doesn’t rank nationally nor statewide)
Here’s a link to how the school compares to others: [Federal</a> Way High School in FEDERAL WAY, WA | Best High Schools | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/federal-way-school-district/federal-way-high-school-20870]Federal”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/federal-way-school-district/federal-way-high-school-20870)</p>
<p>International Baccalaureate - (IB Program)
This could either be taken at a school (Thomas Jefferson) just a tiny bit better than Federal Way in terms of building, students, and budget or it could be taken at a relatively low-rich class upper-middle class high school (Interlake) offering the IB program to 10th-11th graders so they have their senior year to do college courses. </p>
<p>Thomas Jefferson Ranks 1045th nationally and 32nd statewide while Interlake ranks 189th Nationally and 5th state wide. (It is unlikely that I will go to Interlake as the drive is a tad far from where I live).
[Thomas</a> Jefferson High School in AUBURN, WA | Best High Schools | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/federal-way-school-district/thomas-jefferson-high-school-20871]Thomas”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/federal-way-school-district/thomas-jefferson-high-school-20871)
[Interlake</a> High School in BELLEVUE, WA | Best High Schools | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/bellevue-school-district/interlake-high-school-20733]Interlake”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/bellevue-school-district/interlake-high-school-20733)</p>
<p>Lastly,</p>
<p>AP courses
While all of the schools above have some AP courses, Newport High School specializes in them, they have multiple, including AP computer sciences (which I want to major in) while non of the other schools do (besides Interlake), they also have the best budget, student body and attitude, and a very nice building and area. The only reason I’m not going straight for Newport is because of all of the Horror stories I hear online about AP. Newport Ranks 100th Nationally and 3rd in state.
[Newport</a> High School in BELLEVUE, WA | Best High Schools | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/bellevue-school-district/newport-high-school-20734]Newport”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/bellevue-school-district/newport-high-school-20734)</p>
<pre><code> TL;DR
</code></pre>
<p>The real question here is what would be better for college acceptance? A poor school offering AICE (Cambridge A levels), a lower-mid school offering IB, or a really good, rich school offering only AP (with the computer science that I want to major in)?</p>
<pre><code> Also on a side question, besides just going for good schools and grades, what else should I do for a higher chance of college acceptance?
</code></pre>
<p>Thanks a ton!</p>