So I go to a pretty “bad” public school. Ranked in top 10 for WORSE in my state (I’m not sure what criteria contributes to the ranking). Anyways, I’m wondering if this actually helps me in terms of college admission. I’m planning on applying to top schools in the future, and I know that great schools (from prep to public) are regarded high by colleges. But now that I think about it, isn’t this a hook? The general hooks include first generation college to low income, and I believe they are regarded as “hooks” since it’s basically a disadvantage. Going to a bad school with limited opportunities is also a disadvantage right?
:-/ Well I’m not even half done with high school but I’m ranked 1 out of 500+, play a varsity sport, actively contribute to multiple clubs and hold a summer internship… So yeah I think I am
I wouldn’t really define it being a hook; it’s just a disadvantage. It’s like your school not having AP Calc BC; they just have AB or honors non-AP. Wouldn’t say it’s a hook. It just defines the quality of your school and gives colleges a basis of your quality of education.
I’ve decided that your school situation isn’t going to help you. In fact, it may hinder you in that it might lead you to get a false perception of where you stand among other applicants.
Consequently, it will be important to reach out and do your very best in everything.
I don’t think it will help you as a hook. Just continue to do your best and take the most challenging courses available and continue to be involved and a leader. Study hard for the standardized tests as they can be a good way for you to prove that you are on the same level as students from “better” schools.
Going to a bad school isn’t in itself a hook but will give context on your performance (it could actually work against you as you may very well be a valedictorian at a better school but because your school is so bad, your rank may be taken for granted) - this is where standardized tests become important to differentiate if you are the real deal or not. Now if you go to a bad school because you are low income/had to face adversity and still achieve the success that you have, that may be a ‘hook.’