<p>When I was visiting some schools, I browsed their section of yearbooks and saw that the freshman class had listed which high schools they came from. In some cases, I saw that 10 students had come from the same competitive school (note that this wasn't a community college or state school, but a rather elite institution in a different region). Of course, there was the general odd person from somewhere else, but I was just wondering if a student will have an advantage because other students from their high school were previously accepted. Does an admissions committee look to open up to new high schools, giving that "odd" applicant an advantage? Or, does it not matter at all...?</p>
<p>Well, colleges tend to develop relationships with schools. For example, if 5 students go to Dartmouth and do very well, Dartmouth will want to go back to that school b/c they know their kids are quality stuff. However, just b/c Dartmouth doesn't know of a certain school doesn't mean it will look over an applicant from that school. In fact, it may even be an advantage if the applicant comes from a small, impoverished, or crime-infested schoo.</p>