<p>I'm a freshman from California and i attend Valencia High School in Valencia,CA. I recently got my report card and i figure i'm in the top 10% of my class. My high school is not too bad, it is sort of competitive since alot of people are really smart but alot are also idiots(no offense, but some really are). The problem i have is that i'm worried that as hard as i might try to excel, i'll be held down by the competence of the school. I mean does it matter what school i went to if i came out as the top student and with my thirst for more, i enrolled in higher level classes at summer schools or local community college? (Initiative)</p>
<p>I love my community but sometimes i just feel that my school will bring down my chances of going to the country's top universities.</p>
<p>Tell me guys what you think please. Help a poor freshman.</p>
<p>College admissions people consider the type of school you went to in making their admissions decisions. I wouldn't worry about it. I also wouldn't worry about going out of your way to try to show initiative. Just be yourself, and do what you like to do. Try to avoid doing something that you're doing just because you think college admissions people want to see.</p>
<p>The first question adcoms at selective colleges will ask is: Can you handle the college's curriculum and workload? If they believe you can, you will be measured (among other things) against your high school's profile that your counselor will send in along with your transcript. If you generally took your school's most advanced classes and did well in them, you will not be penalized if your high school is not of the highest quality.</p>
<p>If you make the most of your high school and get enrichment after school and during summers at a college, you'll be fine. But for top colleges, at a not very competitive high school, they will expect you to be at the very top of your class.</p>