<p>Does attending a competitive NE prep school factor into admissions decisions at all?</p>
<p>My guess would be not really. There are schools that attract more applicants (and thus, more current students and alums) than other schools, but I don’t think attending a NE prep school automatically gives you an advantage over someone who does not attend one. Many students come from run of the mill public high schools that don’t have many, or any, students at Wellesley (I am one of them). Wellesley looks at the overall applicant; regardless of what high school you attend, the adcom wants to know that you took the most rigorous courses available and took advantage of the opportunities around you.</p>
<p>So would you say that I would have had a better chance staying at my public school and being number 1 in my class vs my being in the middle of my class at one of the top schools in the country? Or do you think they factor in that my new school is tougher?</p>
<p>I think it depends on the rigor of your school. If you (a general ‘you’) attend a public school with fewer resources compared to other schools in your area/state, then you should do your very best to be the top of your class if you can. If you attend a more competitive public school, magnet school, or a prep school of some kind then adcoms will understand a bit more if you are not the top of your class. However, no matter where you go being top or near the top of your class is always better than being in the middle of your class as far as college admissions is concerned. In general though, you should take the most rigorous courseload you can handle and do well in your classes – your rank will fall into place once you get your transcript.</p>
<p>One important thing is not to change schools for college admission purposes. Enjoy high school, I truly believe that everyone ends up at the college that is meant for them. There are advantages to being in the top of your class at a public school and to being in the middle of your class at a private school. One other thing is that colleges are aware of students changing schools to increase their chance of getting into college. For Wellesley and almost any other small, private college is your essay. If you cannot write a great essay than it won’t matter where you are completing high school.</p>