<p>I have applied to some top schools(MIT, Columbia, Yale, and Cornell) and a few lower ranked schools for RD. I know that top schools evaluate applicatns based on the context of their high school.
The problem is that I come from Long Island, where many high schools are amazing and send kids to top competitions and tournaments. However, my school does nothing like that. 53% of students go on to 4 year colleges and 40% go to 2 year colleges.(Is that high, average,low?) But we never have students get stellar national or international awards, and I don't think anyone in my school has above a 2200 on the SAT.
Will these top colleges look at my school specifically or will they just assume my high school is an amazing high school like the ones surrounding it?</p>
<p>Dude, they’ll be looking at your high school specifically. While they’re looking at your app, they’ll have a little summary of your school’s stats–where they’ll see stuff like “only 15% have GPAs over 3.7, only 20% graduate to 4 year colleges, blah blah”. They’ll most definitely have information like that and have a clear picture of YOUR individual high school. No doubt.</p>
<p>Your high school is average-to-low. Since it’s not as competitive, the Ivy League will want to see you at the top or near the top of your class.</p>
<p>Aah, your school sounds like mine exactly! Stats and everything. I’m from Sachem, btw. =)</p>
<p>I remember when my friend pulled a 2000, a ton of people were in shock and such. Even my 1830 is considered high. :|</p>
<p>@melin720: I am the valedictorian. My SAT is a 2160, i have a 96.8% UW GPA with 11AP’s, 790, 760, and 740 on the SAT 2’s.
I am Asian and am a first generation student from a low income family.</p>
<p>The problem is, how much of a benefit will going to an o.k. high school give me?
No one else in my school does research, but I do, and I have even founded a small reading workshop for mentally handicapped children.</p>
<p>^Then you don’t need to worry about your grades. Being a first generation and low income are hooks, so that’ll help you. If all your ECs are impressive, try to get your SAT above 2250 if you wanna increase your chances.</p>
<p>Going to an OK high school won’t hurt you unless there’s a magnet school nearby or if you’re not at or near the top of your class. For example, my current high school is a magnet (IB) and every surrounding high school students can choose to join (we have long distance buses that last up to 1 hour rides). If that’s the situation and you didn’t choose to attend the magnet school it will hurt you. But otherwise, no.</p>