<p>No, don't misinterpret the question--obviously, I have more opportunities and a better learning environment than someone who goes to a noncompetitive public school. When I'm applying to college, however, will colleges look at the context of my school and put less weight on my academic acomplishments (i.e., will they say, 10 APs at this school=3 APs at that other school)?</p>
<p>It depends on how you have done within the context of your own school. Are you ranked towards the top of your class? Have you challenged yourself? Or are you not a top of the line student?</p>
<p>I dont understand your question..
Are you saying like..if you took 7 APs out of a possible 10 at your school..you didn't take the "toughest course load" as opposed to someone at a school which only offered 3 APs and they took them all?</p>
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<p>Not really--because it's so competitive, I'm only borderline top 10%, if that. And it's a small class too--only about 180 students.</p>
<p>IamGandhi2k7: Yes, that's basically my question, although in a more general way.</p>
<p>There are many public schools where the learning environment and opportunities could rival any top boarding or day school, and you will be competing with those students as well. Even schools which are not as highly rated as New Trier, Millburn, or Boston Latin, and offer a maximum number of AP's (or the IB), provide much in the way of challenge and opportunity.</p>
<p>You will be judged according to how you performed compared to your peers (and if those peers are uniformly impressive, that will be taken into consideration). Also, your acceptances will depend on how much you took advantage of the opportunities available to you. If your school offers 10 AP's and you take only 3, and the student down the road is taking 11 at the local high school, you have not put yourself in a favorable light for admission into the most competitive colleges.</p>
<p>This might be a good thread to post on the Prep School forum. We talk about these things a lot.</p>
<p>"When I'm applying to college, however, will colleges look at the context of my school and put less weight on my academic acomplishments ."</p>
<p>You are overstressing. A student at a good prep school who has just taken the regular courses to satisfy the school requirement has taken sufficient rigorous curriculum. If you look at Philips Exter then you will find that the school doesn't even offer AP classes. </p>
<p>Leaving the HYPMS admissions which are very tricky, you should not worry about college admission as being in top 20% at a good prep school is extremely hard.</p>
<p>^POIH, you're partially right, but you're also partially wrong.</p>
<p>The OP may not go to Philips Exeter. But lots of schools will judge you based on your place within the class. They make only look at the top 15 kids at a 'normal' school, but they'll maybe go to top 25 (again KIDS not percents) at a more competitive prep school.</p>
<p>If 10 other kids, who've scored higher, done better, apply to same schools as you, your application will go in the no pile in comparison to them.</p>